Salvation Army Tosses "Un-Christian" Toys

[XLeatherX]

The Salvation Army also refuses to help anyone that's gay/bisexual/lesbian and people who are not Christian.

Like the Red Cross they've been known to take donations and pocket them or pay their top executives and the top people at their "non profit" org.

I prefer to help people directly and not just throw away money to a charity like this where you do not even know if the people who need help will get it.

 

[honooryuu]

things like this are another reason that i refuse to donate money to them. there are other organizations out there that dont push religion (and dont have those annoying bellringers) any money i donate will go to a more open-minded organization

 

[gsdx]

The people wear UNIFORMS for god's sake.

Well, they are an 'army' after all. It's in their name.

 

[Sha-Rok]

Yet another reason why I refuse to donate to these organizations. I'm sure the kid who's receiving the gift could give two fucks if its a "Christan" toy or not.

 

[Swellegant]

I wonder what the Mormon Stephenie Meyer thinks of having Twilight toys branded "non-Christian"?

Though this particular report seems a little bit isolated and off-center, the sort of thing that is publicized for no better reason than to fan the flames of outrage that fuel the media these days, the ongoing political statements and stances issued by the Salvation Army have turned me off of them; however, I also know that the SA helps a lot of people in the world, they do a lot of good to people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, and they do it whether you're gay or straight. I know plenty of gays who've been rescued by and owe their lives to the SA.

Like the Catholic Church, the SA has a huge disconnect between its administrative structure and its on-the-ground workers, many of whom are gay and many of whom serve gays with equality and dignity. But, like the Catholic Charities, I can not support SA because doing so supports the administrative superstructure. Goodwill does just as much great service, without the religious branding.

 

[Fire]

I volunteered at a Salvation Army gift distribution once, helping twenty-five year-old welfare mothers pick out gifts for each of their seven kids

They actually had some pretty badass vintage toys there: Mighty Max, Reboot, some old Transformers, all in their original boxes. I was half tempted to snatch a few to sell on eBay, but I couldn't bring myself to sink that low (more to the point, the opportunity never presented itself).

Actually, that was the day that I realized the Salvation Army was a religious group. I mean, in hindsight it seems obvious, "Salvation" and all, but it was one of those you're-staring-right-at-it facts you can go years without recognizing, like how E. L. Fudge cookies make the acronym "ELF."

 

[JakeBequette]

Harry Potter is basically Satan...

Blasphemous. ​

 

[slyfer]

Blasphemous. ​

Took the word out of my mouth.

 

[BearBoi]

Actually, that was the day that I realized the Salvation Army was a religious group. I mean, in hindsight it seems obvious, "Salvation" and all, but it was one of those you're-staring-right-at-it facts you can go years without recognizing, like how E. L. Fudge cookies make the acronym "ELF."

Yup, that is one of the biggest misconceptions about the Salvation Army; you hear about them and see them all the time, and you just figure it is another charity with a religious flavour.

In truth, they are an organized Christian religion unto themselves that uses a military-themed command structure. For example, an unmarried adult man has the rank of “Private”, but when he gets married he is ‘promoted’ to “Captain.”

They take it quite seriously.

Obviously charity is a big part of what they do -- with a generous dose of proselytization mixed in! -- but as we’ve seen in other recent threads about them, they also concern themselves with secular politics to push their anti-gay religious beliefs on the rest of society. (Among other similar activities.)