last christmas,

i'd check with the LGBT forum tho, they'll know and have links at their fingertips i'm sure

what they told me I would absolutely believe this.

they had religious music blasting throughout the store.

Since this is posted today on FB, I was wanting to know if they were using the hurricane to push their agenda. I have this scary feeling that they are.

Always knew they were fundy Protestants, and a little wacky, but I never knew they were full of bigots.

Removed Salvation Army from my charity giving when the original stories started to become public. I'm sure you will get a lot of verification from our DUers.

that the SA refused to give Christmas toys to children of illegal immigrants, too.

First of all, it's definitely a church, not merely a charity, and secondly, it's a seriously conservative one. They do great work in some areas, but they really are very conservative, so it's good to remember that when dealing with them.

There was discussion about this last year, too. I think it was that they would not give help or aid or charity to gay couples.

with rights for gay people. The people that head up local SA branches are typically very religious couples. I won't deny people their religious point of view, but I do have problems when the POV is such that it justifies discrimination against other human beings. Better religious organizations to contribute to are the YMCA, YWCA and Saint Vincent dePaul, the last, although being associated with the Catholic Church takes a remarkably non-sectarian, non-discriminatory approach to it's operation and delivery of services to the needy.

than provide state mandated same-sex coverage per New York civil rights law.

Report from Wisconsin paper (2010):

http://www.wisconsingazette.com/breaking-news/salvation-army-would-close-soup-kitchens-over-gay-benefits.html

Report from Chicago Pride (2004):

http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/1824489

Additional background of history of sa's treatment of those who are part of, in their words, the ‘sinful homosexual lifestyle’ from the New York Times (December 2011):

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/24/us/beliefs-salvation-army-hears-dissent-over-gay-views.html

edited to update dates.

This is the first time I saw this on FB. I am scared that they may be trying to use the hurricane to put the government over a barrel.

It was 2010 and 2004.

What do you mean about putting the government over a barrel, please?

They pull out will leave a pretty good hole. I saw this back in Joplin when the Tornado hit. Certain groups came in and was the biggest part of the help, then seeing they were in a position of power... well you can guess what started to happen.

and getting that clear for me.

I agree with you. It's an awful state of affairs and can easily be exploited.

..he was living in a transitional Salvation Army shelter in Oregon. They took great care of him, and it allowed him to get back on his feet again, with dignity. They had great services for him and other homeless vets. So I do know that they can do good work. I hate their stance on LGBT rights, but I know firsthand that they do good work in the world. (and My Dad was a liberal as they come, and not religious, and they still helped him.)

It's like I disklike the Red Cross for their ridiculously top-heavy administration, BUT they are there for people in emergencies.

fuck them

hoping they can convert them.

We used to have a Call and Response coupled with a short song back in my HS -

All Sing:
Salvation Aaaaaaarmy,
Salvation Aaaaaaarmy,
Put a nickel in the drum
Save another drunken bum.

Salvation Aaaaarmy,
Salvation Aaaaarmy,

Put a nickel in the drum
and you'll be safe.

Leader (spoken):
In my home town we only had one bar.
Group:
Awhhhhhhh.
Leader:
Three miles long!
Group:
Yea!

All Sing:
(repeat Chorus)

Leader (spoken):
In my home town all the girls wore 3-piece bathing suits.
Group:
Awhhhhhhh.
Leader:
2 band-aids and a cork!
Group:
Yea!

All Sing:
(repeat Chorus)

She married a Jewish guy and converted to Judaism.

She didn't mention these specific things but she used to tell stories of the lack of tolerance in the movement.