General Discussion

burrfoot

(821 posts) Mon Dec 19, 2011, 10:00 PM Dec 2011

Salvation Army [View all]

So, here's my conundrum. I came across, somewhere in the threads, information about how homophobic/actively anti-gay the Salvation Army can be.

I seem to recall there being comments about choosing to donate somewhere else, and not support this agency.

I totally understand that...but here's my problem: The Salvation Army does real, immediate good. All the time. I work with kids in foster care and right now I have three living in a family-style group home that they run. It is absolutely outstanding. I have seen a lot of shit placements over the years, and this place is literally leaps and bounds beyond the vast majority of homes- either group homes or traditional family foster homes.

So...don't donate to them because they're a homophobic agency? Do donate to them, because despite that, they do good things and run programs that quite literally change childrens' lives for the better?

Thoughts??

47 replies

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Highlight:

Salvation Army [View all] burrfoot Dec 2011 OP

I think it's everyones decision. One way or the other who they decide to donate to or not. alphafemale Dec 2011 #1

I worked for Food for land County at the family dining site located in a Salvation Army center Ferret Annica Dec 2011 #2

I'm with you two on this. burrfoot Dec 2011 #3

I always give a little in a kettle, but much more elfin Dec 2011 #4

They are the only game in town for many rural or severely impoverished hlthe2b Dec 2011 #5

Thanks for providing another point of view. bluestate10 Dec 2011 #6

I felt really guilty today when going into Big Lots and there was a Salvation Army bell ringer RebelOne Dec 2011 #7

I don't hold it against anyone who donates to the Salvation Army. William769 Dec 2011 #8

Besides the political issues, SA is a great charity. Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #9

Sorry but Politicalboi Dec 2011 #10

I give to them Yo_Mama Dec 2011 #11

Simple. Support your local chapter. nt DCKit Dec 2011 #12

This happened a long time ago and may not matter marybourg Dec 2011 #13

Not only that, but the Red Cross charged the guys on the front shraby Dec 2011 #16

There are other groups that do just as much good without harming minorities FreeState Dec 2011 #14

I won't donate to them because they overstate their impact... catabryna Dec 2011 #15

Guess if you've never needed help it's okay to call bs. sad sally Dec 2011 #19

Considering I've been in two (three actually) homeless shelters... catabryna Dec 2011 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author Joe the Revelator Dec 2011 #17

I can't, in good concious, give to the SA..... Joe the Revelator Dec 2011 #18

What? Because they do "some" good... murray hill farm Dec 2011 #20

I'm only posing the question- not trying to burrfoot Dec 2011 #22

Quite a conundrum, isn't it! murray hill farm Dec 2011 #23

Ha! I like it! burrfoot Dec 2011 #26

This is a really hard question for me. Ms. Toad Dec 2011 #24

I donate because emilyg Dec 2011 #25

Here are their views and people can judge for themselves mmonk Dec 2011 #27

would they help a gay foster kid? that's where the argument loses validity. piratefish08 Dec 2011 #28

Yes. burrfoot Dec 2011 #31

I think a fair question is dsc Dec 2011 #29

It's not really so much burrfoot Dec 2011 #32

The dirty little secret of these organizations is that they use Federal funding for their programs Morning Dew Dec 2011 #30

Now that is an interesting perspective. burrfoot Dec 2011 #33

this is an older story (2005) from the WaPo Morning Dew Dec 2011 #36

Don't let Ideological Purity stay your hand DeathToTheOil Dec 2011 #34

I'm deeply conflicted because, IIRC, during the depths of the Reagan Recession (when the national coalition_unwilling Dec 2011 #35

I used to volunteer for a Salvation Army program for homeless youth Lydia Leftcoast Dec 2011 #37

Exaxtly. This LGBT agrees with you. N/T Mimosa Dec 2011 #45

They don't ask who you screw or what you believe when they hand out coffee and donuts. aquart Dec 2011 #38

They take your money and use it to lobby Congress against Gay Rights. n/t Ian David Dec 2011 #40

Queen size white goose down comforter $5.99 aquart Dec 2011 #41

Giant latex fist, $39.99. n/t Ian David Dec 2011 #43

Would you donate to Hezbollah because they also help widows and orphans? n/t Ian David Dec 2011 #39

No. But if they offered me cashmere for under $10? aquart Dec 2011 #42

Do donate Mimosa Dec 2011 #44

Figure out who you want to help. Iggo Dec 2011 #46

Obama is not really for gay marriage, so I guess I won't donate my vote to him The Straight Story Dec 2011 #47