Day Twenty four

Uh oh.

Including today, it has been twice that I have dropped some change into the little-red-tin to which I am beckoned by the tired bell-ringers of the Salvation Army. J. warned me against such actions, preaching that the S.A. was a fundamentalist Christian organization that hates women and gays.  On that particular day I resolved to give this issue of not donating to an organization (whose noble mission is to help those in need), simply because of a religious affiliation, some deep thought. I concluded that while I am not a religious person, I also don't see the world in black and white. I  don't have a problem with Christians or Christianity per se, especially when represented by a community of people living true to the teachings of Jesus: compassion for others-even our enemies, giving so that we do not drown in excess while others starve, and...the hardest F-word...forgiveness. These are mighty and admirable codes of conduct. I would proudly support people on a mission to spread this message around the world.

After my rather minuscule donation this afternoon, to the infamous red-kettle, I came home to read up on the Salvation Army.  What I found was terribly disappointing and has left me feeling conflicted and sad.  First, the Salvation Army is a church organization-legally classified as a "church or convention or association of churches".  I found this problematic in that my intent is to aid humanitarian efforts, not religious agendas. Second, the afore mentioned status makes the Salvation Army exempt from filing Form 990 with IRS.  This means that there is no financial information available to the public about the organization.  Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I tend to be distrustful of companies-particularly those with so much charitable clout-who are not transparent in regard to finances.  And third, the Salvation Army is very upfront about their stance on homosexuality and abortion. These are polarizing issues on which we are opposites.  I strongly believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions; however I will not blindly support entities whose stance on human rights drastically differ from my own.

But today, that is what I did. And so I trust that my measly two dollars will find it's way to helping someone with an open heart and an open mind, someone who will spread love and acceptance throughout the world.


Salvation Army Position Statements

Article: why NOT to donate to the Salvation Army