I do not, and will not put any money in the bell-ringers' kettles.

[Archae]

I will not support an organization that purges gays and Jews from their ranks.


"A few supervisors refused to hand out the forms that included questions on church affiliations. Some workers feared losing their jobs if they did not sign. They included Jews, Muslims and Hindus, gays and lesbians, atheists and even a lapsed Salvation Army member, employees said." -- New York Times, February 2, 2004, A Religious Renewal at the Salvation Army Raises the Threat of a Church-State Dispute

Almost every day at my local supermarket, I pass by a Salvation Army bell ringer who, by now, knows that I won't drop any money in his kettle. I feel bad about it. The bell ringer is probably down on his luck, and SA management would likely smile were he to bring in a fuller kettle. But I can't do it, because I just can't get the Salvation Army's purge of gays and Jews out of my head.

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2013/12/11/91324/593/Front_Page/The_Salvation_Army_Purge_of_Gays_and_Jews_and_the_New_Apostolic_Reformation

[we can do it]

1. Don't feel bad, most of them get paid wheter you contribute to the bigots or not.

I will join you.

[LeftofObama]

2. I don't put money in their kettles either.

They have let me know exactly what they think about me and I have no problem saying that the feeling is mutual.

[KoKo]

3. I will...but, long ago I expressed my views here on DU about the SA.

Look, we all have our reasons about what charities we support. But, the constant trashing of SA on DU has been around since I first joined.

I go by my father who was in WWII who said the "Red Cross" would check the wounded but the Salvation Army were the ones who "took the care." And, there have been many others throughout disasters who have said the "Salvation Army" is first on scene in a disaster and know how to set up the food, water, supplies. The "Red Cross"...not so much.

For Religious Gender or Whatever reasons...you are not forced to give to them. You can decide not to. But, why the hate that has post after post on DU around holiday times for as long as I've been a member has always seemed OTT. There are many charities who want you to become a follower of their ideology for help. Why is the SA singled out.

If you don't like them...just don't give. There are many other charities you can donate to if you are Gay, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant or whatever your preferences. Your Local Food Bank and other charities in your state are also good places to donate. But, to go after one charity because they have people ringing bells and stand outside stores seems to say that OTHER charities who don't do this are the only ones who are "Pure."

[liberal_at_heart]

4. It's probably brought up so much because it is shoved in our faces every day for a month when we

go to the grocery store. For the last week, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair has been the one collecting at my grocery store. I'm always polite and cordial to the bell ringers but I will not give in to the subtle, subliminal societal pressure to put money in that pot.

[KoKo]

5. I can understand that...they are "in your face" and you don't like to be pushed..

and that makes sense because it offends you.

The OP though seems to have other reasons that just seem limited to trashing the SA when there are many other charities like the Christian Right Fundamentalists who are on TV all the time who are in those who watch them's faces. Yet to the OP it's the SA are are too vile and horrible to whichever group he feels is being offended. So...my point was that you DON'T HAVE TO GIVE to SA. Just walk on by.

[eqfan592]

8. As a former red cross volunteer, i have to call bullshit.

I've responded to everything from house fires to F5 tornadoes and not once was the SA first on the scene. We were there helping to keep people warm and making sure people got shelter, food and any medications they needed.

Tbh, I can't recall EVER seeing the SA out there, but it was a while ago, and they may have been around elsewhere.

[newfie11]

11. Red Cross was set up in 24 hours

When we had to evacuate due to a forest fire. They were there for a week feeding people.
We didn't eat or stay there but others did. I will always give to bell ringers. They earned it .

[eqfan592]

12. This must be a regional thing.

I can't recall ever seeing an SA disaster response team.

[newfie11]

13. They were there

Red Cross was not.

[eqfan592]

16. Like i said, must be a regional thing.

I never once encountered an SA volunteer during my time with the red cross at any disaster we responded to, large or small.

Edit: makes me wonder if the high level folks of both organizations have worked it out to avoid a lot of overlap in order to increase coverage area of available resources.

[madokie]

7. That plus we give locally

Our local rescue mission takes in all comers no matter who, color or creed. Very little over head.
they're actually in it to help those who need help.

[bluestate10]

9. I am torn. The Salvation Army does wonderful work helping feed, cloth and shelter

people that are down on their luck. I can't for one fraction of a second stomach it's behavior toward Gay and Transgender people. So, I don't contribute anymore. But not contributing is bothering me, because the charity does key charity work well. The Salvation Army also has a big footprint that few other charities other than the United Way can match, so it's capacity to do both good and harm is enormous.

[REP]

17. The United Way is crooked as fuck, too

The SA has poisonous policies but is generally honest. And some chapters give real help to those in need, including cash assistance.

I admit a sentimental fondness for SA bands and their badass motto: Blood and Fire.

[el_bryanto]

10. I put a few dollars in if i have some change.

Feel free to castigate me.

Bryant

[REP]

14. They're very anti-abortion, too

While my hometown SA used to, at least, help all comers with no questions asked, and I never heard any SA member say anything hateful about LGBT people or the Army organize against reproductive rights - that was in my hometown and a long time ago.

I know some SA chapters are still like that, but I just can't support the organization anymore.

[a kennedy]

15. and they're begging for bell ringers, thought about doing it....then...

NOT. I will not do it. because I just can't get the Salvation Army's purge of gays and Jews out of my head. and I just can't do it either.

[Archae]

18. Hatred is hatred, no matter how many "good deeds" someone does.

Osama Bin Laden used to give money to Afghan kids, build housing and schools for them.

At the same time he was planning bombings in other countries, including the US.

So either the SA gives up their old "Our Kriss-chuns iz better!" or they never will get another dime from me.

[UTUSN]

19. solidarity from me

[Bigmack]

20. Anybody know if this is true..?

http://tjchase.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/the-salvation-army-starts-war/