Giving to the Salvation Army- Let me ask this:

[Are_grits_groceries]

If they were singling out African-Americans, someone who is Jewish, or another group would you be so accepting of 'a little bigotry'?

It is not ok. Their charity provides needed services, but they also use it as a cover for their bigoted views and missionary goals. If they are criticized, their good works are thrown up as a shield. Posts here prove that.

Is it a purity test? If that's what you call it then yes. Why is not giving aid to a group that advances bigotry a purity test? I think it is a reasonable request.

Oh, and some of those kids they feed now will be shunned later by them. In addition, people who receive their help are in a lot of cases likely to also give more credence to their beliefs. Bigotry spreads in many ways.

There are many groups who provide services for the needy without a side of nasty. They also have good ratings for how much of their money actually goes to charity.

So give your heart out to the Santa bells. Just realize they aren't ringing only for peace, goodwill, and donations.

[inchhigh]

1. A tip for making donations.

Anybody know where I can get some of those fake homophobic bills that people are leaving their servers as a tip? Because I really want to stuff Salvation Army buckets with those for the next month.

[Orsino]

2. Yes, it's a purity test.

Their good works ought to be considered alongside the evil--keeps us cognizant that they are, after all, still people.

But they are not getting my money.

[Are_grits_groceries]

9. I believe it is well established that they are people and that they help the needy.

It's also well established that they discriminate against LGBT people and preach a doctrine of exclusion.

I don't call it a purity test as some do. It is a 'humanity test.' Do they accept all of humanity without judgement? No. Those who are LGBT are not welcomed by them.

There are always outliers in any group. If it was a person here or there who espoused this that would be one thing. It's quite another when their doctrine contains these prohibitions. It is part and parcel of their message.

[lame54]

3. "and some of those kids they feed now will be shunned later by them"...

better to shun them now

[Cresent City Kid]

4. I received "help" from the Salvation Army

They do technically provide food and shelter, but that is not their purpose. Their reason for being is to promote and propagate their brand of Christianity. It is not cleverly hidden, or devious but the image they portray as simply a charity is not the case. It could be argued that they prey on the unfortunate, but they really believe that the problems the people they help have are the result of a Jesus deficiency.

They serve up unadulterated fundamentalist Christianity, the view that accepting the facts of the case, that God sent Jesus to save us is what life is all about. I'm not going to recommend what to do or not do with your charity dollars. This is just insight based on personal experience.

[Vashta Nerada]

5. But, but, but....they help the poor!

Who cares if they're bigots!

[Silent3]

6. Even without the bigotry, I wouldn't want to give to anyone who mixes proselytizing with charity.

There are plenty of secular charities that help the poor just as much or more. Those are the charities that get my money.

[QC]

7. Thank you for saying this.

One shouldn't have to on a site that bills itself as progressive, but there was some serious ugly in yesterday's thread accusing LGBT people and allies of "hate" because they do not approve of Salvation Army's discriminatory practices.

[JNelson6563]

8. I don't give to them.

But of course, being pretty poor, it's not like I budget in charitable giving. I do give clothes and such to the Women's Resource center here in my town. Additionally, our local Dem party always gives the leftover food from events to the only homeless shelter here, the Goodwill Inn. We also fund-raise and do food drives for the kids at our alternative high school (for kids in tough situations who don't do too well in regular school).

The biggest and most effective local charity here is called Father Fred's. Yes, you guessed it, started by a local Catholic priest some time ago. He died years ago but the work goes on. They pay rent, electric or heat bills, and really any other form of help one might need. They don't make you go to church or pray or any other requirements. I don't know of any instance of discrimination. A friend of mine on the city commission (who happens to be gay) is a big supporter of theirs.

Lastly, I used to volunteer at a food bank run by a local Catholic church. We only asked the people who came for food two questions: Do you have cooking facilities? How many people in your household?

I reckon some here would take issue with the Catholic church, seeing their views on marriage and all. Still, that little pantry in the poorest parish around here, doing all that good work without caring one wit about the recipient's religious views, sexual orientation or anything else, deserves support. Even from an atheist like me.

Julie

[SidDithers]

10. DU rec...

there are plenty of worthwhile organizations that do good works, that don't discriminate the way the SA does.

Good post.

Sid