Toys = Islamophobia?
Also on the Canadian Islamic Congress' website is a reprint of an article by Giles Fraser--the vicar of Putney in London--published in of the Guardian that attacks Operation Christmas Child, a charity by Samaritan's Purse. Samaritan's purse is run by Franklin Graham who is the leader of a "particularly toxic versio of Christianity", according to Fraser. (here's the link to the Guardian) Operation Christmas Child is a drive where shoeboxes of toys are boxed and wrapped up, and a tract outlining the gospel is attached or given with the box to needy children.
The practice is deemed an advancement of a "particularly toxic version of Christianity" because the shoeboxes are packaged with literature "promoting Christian fundamentalism". Fraser sees that giving of the shoeboxes is hypocritical in that the parable of the Good Samaritan was about "[overcoming] religious bigotry" but that:
Whoa.
This is a shoebox of toys, folks. Not only that, but it is also a shoebox of Christmas toys. I cannot see why a gift of toys during Christmas--a holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ--cannot include a tract that outlines the significance and importance of the holiday to the gift giver. Is the Gospel presentation so evil that none should hear it? The gifts may be given with a tract, but a declaration of faith in Christ is not required at all.
During Ramadan, should not Muslims also be able to share the message of their faith during that time?
Perhaps Mr. Fraser and the Canadian Islamic Congress are too sensitive. I suspect that it is somewhat of a kneejerk reaction to their opposition to Franklin Graham. Their opposition is not to the giving of toys, but to an evangelical Christian and the things that particular Christian does.
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