Anyone else hate the Salvation Army bell ringers?

God, they are annoying. I'm tempted to say, "Look I will give you $100 if you quit ringing the bell until I get back into my car and leave." Do they think if they don't do that we're not going to know we're there!? I mean really. I hate going into stores where they're at the doors. Thank God Target banned them.
Duckie

They're blissed-out, like Moonies, and they've probably already gone deaf from listening to that goddamned bell ringing for days on end.

they're not getting a fucking dime from me.

I used to give to them. But fuck it now.

End of brief tirade.

Thanks for the info.
Duckie

when did the salvation army become anti-gay?

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=12313

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/05/052404salArm.htm

http://www.freep.com/news/mich/pflag28_20011228.htm

inverse laziness. I can look up the relevant articles, but can't put together a precis of the situation.

Once upon a time I thought that when I was old rich and weird I'd go around buying their bells for $100 and stomping them flat in front of them and then hand the stunned ringer a nice 'bell chior' type bell.

No more $$ from me until they address their homophobic policies.

Those friggin' bells hurt my ears.

And I had nasty experiences with them when I was in Social Services. They would help a client by providing a place to stay ... but there would be strong coercion to turn over any resources the client had ... and join the church (that's what the clients reported to me anyway).

They are definitely an example of what will happen if government $ continues to go to (increasingly) relgious orgs (for social services).

I had a nasty experience with Catholic Charities (supposedly a secular arm), who was supposed to be providing therapy to poor clients (court-ordered therapy). They asked all prospective employees what their position on abortion was ... despite being prohibited by law from doing so (and county policy). Per client reports, there was religious coercion going on there also.

i even tell them why sometimes.

Give to someone who doesnt have to toss a dash of bigotry in their soup.

The aid they give comes with songs and pledges to serve their god. There is something basically weird and bogus about it.

Many are alcoholics who were able to turn their lives around thanks to the salvation army.

I have different feelings for the organization and its leadership, and its homophobic, evangelical agenda, however.

These people are paid, usually VERY LOW INCOME, individuals who need this money. Direct contact development for non-profits is probably the most thankless job in the world. 95% of the people hate you, and of the other 5% only a fraction give you money.

I would lay off the bell ringers. This is a pretty good minimum wage job in many cities. Times are tough, and if ringing a bell puts some food on the table or buys a gift that your child wants, I would have a little more compassion. If you don't like the SA for their chistian positions, so be it, but please don't take that out on these people. Many bell ringers are consumers of the SA's services.