dropbox of ideas, thoughts & clippings: Regarding the Salvation Army

thoughts & clippings: Regarding the Salvation Army »

dreammerchant:

kenmorethompson:

There’s been a bit of stuff going around on Twitter and Tumblr tonight about how the Salvation Army is not an organization you should be giving your money to. As someone who grew up in a family connected to the Salvation Army, and as a former employee of the Salvation Army (three separate…

This bit is the facts on The Salvation Army because a lot of you have no idea what you’re talking about. Merry Christmas.

Umm… this does not change in any way the fact that they are bigoted. They HAVE refused services to gay and trans* people. That is a fact. (ETA: It was published on their U.S. website that they refuse to serve gay people. They may have since taken that wordage out, but they did have that proudly enshrined in policy.)

I didn’t want to distract from the convo about their stance on homosexuality (and for the record, being trans* does not mean someone is gay - these are two separate issues that cannot be conflated), so I didn’t say anything. And ultimately, the one truth is that yes, they are a CHURCH. So first and foremost, people should consider whether they want to support a CHURCH, and what KIND OF CHURCH they want to support if they are willing to support a church at all.

But their anti-gay/anti-trans* policies are not their only bigotry. They are also rabidly anti-Muslim. I have been harassed, called names, followed into a store, threatened by, and spat at by bell ringers. When I called to register a complaint with the head of volunteer services, merely suggesting that they might train their volunteers to represent them better, I was first told that there was nothing they could do and then was insulted and called names by the volunteer coordinator before she told me I was going to hell anyway and should “go back where you came from” and hung up on me.

So I don’t really care that some branches aren’t as overtly bigoted as others. I don’t really care that some take their mission of serving the most needy serious. The entire basis of their organization is to convince people to convert. The same thing goes for their work outside the U.S. and I have a serious moral hatred for religious groups who couch their “help” with material needs in pressure for people to become “good” members of the religion. Those who are not interested in converting are beneath them.

There are plenty of organizations, even some Christian organizations, out there that aren’t judgmental or bigoted or hateful. People have a right to have the information necessary to decide what kind of organization they want to give their money to.

Your response demonstrates your failure to take note that the article says everything you just said.

As for your personal experiences, I can’t correct that and it’s rubbish that you’ve gone through that. However, the way you present your case seems like you’re grouping thousands - if not millions - of people into one gay-bashing/Christ-pushing/other-religion-hating group. And for that, you are wrong. You are doing exactly what those who wronged you did to you.

I’m not sure if you are Muslim but, whether you accept it or not, your own religion carries the same tenets are Christianity. I have studied the Qu’ran in detail and have partaken in discussions with many who belong to the Nation of Islam. Do this mean you all believe and act the same? Heck, as an African, I’m not even welcome in many Arabic countries. Does that mean that I should group all Muslims together? Obviously not.

Also, due to a pretty good grasp on history, I am very aware of the effects of those who partake in ALL religions on any region to which it is not native.

I personally do not donate to anything monetarily, whether I research an organization or not. I would rather go and donate my time or buy someone lunch because, that way, I know where the resources are going.

That’s it.

(via poemsofthedead)