Friendly reminder to ignore Salvation Army bell ringers this year....

[Drunken Irishman]

128. This thread is pitting groups against each other.

Just read the replies - there's a lot of people who have either been helped by the SA or know someone who's been helped. They obviously have done good things and telling people to not donate due to their views on gays openly hurts the people who receive that funding. So, you're basically saying: pick a side - you either love the gays or you hate 'em if you give. I've even seen people say they give to animal rights groups over the SA. Cool - but how does that help those who are homeless or down on their luck?

The truth of the matter is that in many communities, especially smaller ones, the SA is often the only hope for those who are struggling. If it's not the SA, it's another religious organization - whether it's the Catholic soup kitchens or the Mormon welfare squares. Do we not give to them, too, because of their stances?

Does that really help a community more than it hurts another?

Maybe if liberals could start something as equally strong as the SA - something as large with the fundraising capabilities - you know, an alternative, then we could give to them, instead. But the problem is that there isn't anything equal to the SA ... not unless you're looking at local churches, potentially Catholic charities, and DU doesn't agree with them, too. So, instead of telling people to not give to the SA, put that energy and $$$ into starting something that can take its place. Because, from what I can tell, there really isn't anything comparable in the charity game nationally to the SA ... and certainly nothing like that with liberal roots.