Why I Now Oppose The Salvation Army

Though I never very impressed by churches or especially church charities, I did read Major Barbara at an impressionable age. With its fierce motto ("Blood and Fire"), its earnest bands, and helping the downcast without insisting that they first convert, I thought that perhaps not all charities were scams, like the United Way and the Red Cross. Like many others, I had relatives who had been given free coffee and doughnuts on the battlefield by Salvation Army workers, who put themselves in harm's way to comfort the soldiers, unlike the Red Cross workers who made sure they were good and safe when they sold their coffee and doughnuts.

In my hometown, the Salvation Army is where good musicians went to play in an excellent band, and where the chronically poor and those hit by misfortune alike could turn for real assistance with no preaching. Giving money to the Salvation Army was like buying a Buddy Poppy on Veteran's Day - something I wanted to and wished I could do more.

The Salvation Army has always been anti-choice, but only recently began being politically involved in anti-choice policies. I believe this is antithetical to the principles of service once so important to this organiztion.

The Salvation Army talks a good line about gay and lesbian issues:
http://www1.salvationarmy.org/can%5Cwww_can.nsf/0/6D015085D510E57F80256EA100723430?openDocument#gay

Position Statement on Gay & Lesbian Sexuality


The Salvation Army upholds the dignity of all persons. For this reason, and in obedience to the example of Jesus Christ, whose compassionate love is all-embracing, The Salvation Army does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in the delivery of its services.

The Salvation Army believes that God’s will for the expression of sexual intimacy is revealed in the Bible, and that living fully in accordance with biblical standards calls for chastity outside of heterosexual marriage and faithfulness within it. We do not believe that same-sex attraction is necessarily blameworthy and we oppose the vilification and mistreatment of gays and lesbians. We believe that we are accountable for the ways in which we express our sexuality. While recognizing the challenge that this presents, The Salvation Army believes firmly in the power of God’s grace to enable all to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

In keeping with our mission, we are committed to proclaiming the good news of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and transformation by the Holy Spirit. We welcome all seekers of faith in Christ to explore Salvation Army church life.

Unlike the reproductive choice issue, the Salvation Army has decided to go against its own position statement in regard to gays and lesbians, and as with the choice issue, has violated its founding principles by becoming politically involved in denying basic human rights.

No doubt the Salvation Army still does some good work, but by working against reproductive and gay rights, all they are doing is assuring that more and more people will be in need of their assistance in their shelters and pantries. So for the past few years, my hands have remained in my pockets when I see the bright red kettles with the ringing bells. So should yours.

I went to the site and I read their positions on a variety of issues ranging from Capital Punishment to Invitro Fertilization, to Gay Marriage, Euthenasia, etc. And, while I disagree with some of their positions, I also agree with many of them. I do not find their positions to be uncaring or "evil."
I will continue to give to the Salvation Army because I believe they do good work for needy people.
Instead of "shunning them" because we disagree with a few of their positions, we should be trying to work with them on issues we agree upon.

(and there are), the Salvation Army will not see a penny of my money. They are an organization that is today based on religious bigotry.

Yeah, they delivered all the food for the winter and clothes for all of us. But that having to pray with them thing . . . spiritual rape, as far as I'm concerned. What's the difference between that and the guy who figures his date owes him sex because he paid for her dinner?

I do not work with rapists.

Back then, it was my mother's choice and not mine. If it's ever my choice, I'll starve first. I certainly won't help them perpetrate their crime on others.

BUSH RUNS FOR COVER, DROPS DISCRIMINATION RULE AFTER EXPOSE OF SALVATION ARMY "BACK DOOR" INFLUENCE PEDDLING AT WHITE HOUSE

n Tuesday, the Washington Post revealed the contents of an internal Salvation Army document concerning secret, behind-the-scenes efforts to have the Bush administration issue rules that would permit religious charities to accept federal money, and still circumvent state and local laws against discrimination in the workplace.

The revelations are jeopardizing the current legislative "fast track" for H.R. 7, the "Community Solutions Act" sponsored by Reps. J.C. Watts (R-OK) and Tony Hall (D-OH) which would expand the range of "charitable choice" funding for faith-based social programs. The measure is the first in a series of entitlements that would pour billions of dollars into the coffers of religious groups engaged in social service outreaches, and still permit them to retain their sectarian character and use religion as a test in hiring practices.

...

Among other findings:

¶ The Salvation Army already receives $300 million a year in government funds. "But the report indicates the administration is eager to use the Salvation Army's clout to pass the legislation, offering the charity something it wants in return," notes the Post.

¶ Sounding more like political operatives than impoverished, altruistic doers-of-good, Salvation Army officials wrote: "It is important that The Army's support for the White House's activities occur simultaneously with efforts to achieve The Army's objectives. The White House has already said that they are committed to move on The Army's objectives when the legislation carrying the charitable choice provisions passes the House of Representatives."

...

ROVE WAS DEEP THROAT: BUSH BACKPEDALS

The plot involving covert Salvation Army efforts to influence the outcome over faith-based funding and its secret 79-page strategy plan becomes even more alarming with revelations today that President Bush's premier policy adviser, Karl Rove, was the liaison between the White House war room for legislative issues and the Salvation Army.

more...

http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/faith26.htm

Because they sent my late Catholic husband to camp free when he was a little kid, I gave substantially to the Salvation Army for years, until Gary Bauer ran for president. At that time, the local newspaper ran an article about Bauer making a speech nearby.

The previously scheduled speech was to a local group of SA mission directors. Bauer waived his previously agreed-upon speaker's fee of $6,000 because in the interim he had become a presidential candidate.

If the Salvation Army can afford $6,000 to hear Gary Bauer's hate speech, it surely wasn't using my donation the way I intended it. There'll be no more money from me for an organization that donates that money toward creating more misery and poverty in the world.

That's disgusting. I totally agree - if they are blowing money on hate speech like that, they can go piss up a rope as far as I'm concerned.

So if you want a ding-dong-ding-dong free trip into the store, go to Target. Especially since the neocons have put out the word to their followers to BOYCOTT Target due to the ban.


http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/afa/242004b.asp

AgapePress) - A pro-family organization has issued an alert to those who may be considering giving to one of the nation's largest charities this holiday season. The group's spokesman is warding donors away from United Way, and he also wants shoppers to know a thing or two about Target stores.

Let them take their bigotry elsewhere!

in a -very- impressive home (it's one of the better neighborhoods), drives a new Cadillac every year...not in Anal Roberts' league (he has a 15000 sq. ft. gated estate), but doing pretty damn well. :eyes:

With Karl Rove's you-know-what all over their face...
They were lobbying HARD for getting Bush's "Faith-Based" (i.e., Religious) initiatives rammed through. They LOVED the idea!

Of COURSE they were planning on getting MILLIONS of our tax dollars.

And while they might have no problems giving a Gay person a do-nut, I wonder how many openly-gay people work for the SA?

They don't get any of MY money.

a bell ringer for the SA and a VFW buddy poppy seller I observed that always those donors who gave the most appeared to be those that could afford the least.

One occasion sticks in my mind. A young man driving a broken down pick up truck with several snotty nosed but very happy children in the cab with him offered a five dollar bill for his Buddy Poppy. I sat there thinking; "gee! Those kids look as though they could use an ice-cream."

Some time later at a VFW meeting the Buddy Poppy Loot was being divided. Not one cent went to the VA Hospital or anyplace for which it was collected-other than the original cost of the Poppies.

I imagine much the same could be said for the SA.

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