The Salvation Army is taking a hit this season, and most of that hit is coming straight [pardon the pun] from the LGBT community. There is a huge network of FaceBookers and Twitterers and websites and gay blogs [Hi there!] that are protesting against the Salvation Army.
See, the Salvation is very anti-gay, and blatantly so. The Army's official same-sex statement suggests that, while homosexuals are not blameworthy, "Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex." The Salvation Army in Australia has even gone as far as calling homosexuality a "rebellion against God,"and you can forget about same-sex benefits for Army employees. Not gonna happen.
And, of course, we can't forget that it was just last month that the Salvation Army in Houston was asking for prove of citizenship before doling out goods and services to the needy. Now, to be fair, they did stop this practice when the story broke, but do we seriously think they would have continued on if no one spoke up?
So, should we give to the Salvation Army or not? Look at this way, they do help folks in need; they do provide goods and services to people who need them. The Army raises some $2 billion a year and spends 89 percent of that on services, from food, shelter, foster care and, yes, HIV programs.
But what of their homophobic policies? Should we, as a community and those who support us, deny our donations to the Salvation Army because of their policies? Or should we look beyond the group and be grateful for the services they do provide? It's a question each of us must answer as we walk out of stores and malls this season and hear that clang-clang-clang in the back ground.
To give or not to give. That isn't the question. The question is to whom do you give. And I have my answer. What's yours? Do you, have you, will you, give to the Salvation Army this year?
Oh. Dear. I didn't know that.
ReplyDeleteFeeding large amounts of folks I'm at the local grocery store several times a week. There is this very handsome, very tall Hispanic gentleman with the nicest smile with the red kettle. I drop money in the kettle, then Daughter and Emergency BackUp Daughter #2 raid my wallet and put in more money often to the determent of the Starbucks gal.
It may be a sad comment about me, I don't know, but there are two things I won't do while homophobia rules and they are give to the Salvation Army and Donate Blood. I just can't abandon my core principals on this.
ReplyDeleteMac
I have my own conflicting thoughts about the Salvation Army, as they helped out my family greatly when my house burned down as a youngster. Do i give back? Do I take a stand? Ugh...
ReplyDeleteBob, thanks for spreading the word. There are many worthy organisations to give to during the holiday season. The Salivation Army isn't one of them.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of other charities out there. So no, they will not get my donations.
ReplyDeleteWell, there's the HRC of course, but look at their salaries - in 2008 - (http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2008/06/hrcs-solmonese-breaks-quarter-million.html).
ReplyDeleteI like Coffee Kids (http://www.coffeekids.org/) or Heifer (http://www.heifer.org/) or Arbor Day or Nature Conservancy.
But at this time of year I pass by the Sallys and give to the local non-denominational food pantry.
It is tough, I think about the people. I guess, I take the Superhero approach sometimes
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Personally, I prefer to do my giving locally and personally, if possible. I buy food at the grocery store and take it directly to the foodbank or to a foodbank donation center. That makes me feel comfortable that 100% of my donation is helping those in need and I'm not giving through a 3rd party with a political or religious agenda.
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