Videos: Before you give to the Salvation Army

Before you give to the Salvation Army

13 December 2009

ZJ: The Salvation Army is best known for the bell-ringers who stand outside storefronts soliciting donations during the holiday season. But did you know that the Salvation Army is actually an evangelical church? That is, after all, why they have the word "salvation" in their name. And as a religious organization, many of their policies are based on theological positions typical of evangelical Christianity.

For instance, in their statement on marriage, they describe it as being "ordained by God", and defined as "one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others". And according to their statement on homosexuality, "Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex", and therefore, gay Christians are "called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life". Just to be clear on this, they further state that "There is no scriptural support for same-sex unions as equal to, or as an alternative to, heterosexual marriage".

And these are not just matters of belief for them; they've put this into practice as well, not only as part of their own regulations, but also in an effort to influence civil law.

In 2000, the Salvation Army in Scotland spoke out against the proposed repeal of Section 28, a law that prohibits local governments from promoting any teaching that homosexuality is acceptable, and describes it as a "pretended family relationship". Section 28 was successfully repealed in Scotland, and later in the entire UK.

In 2001, an internal document from the Salvation Army was obtained by the Washington Post. The document described their private dealings with the Bush administration, which had made a "firm commitment" to issue a regulation overriding state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. This would grant an exemption to these laws for religious groups, including those receiving government funding, explicitly allowing them to discriminate against gay people in hiring decisions and benefits for their domestic partners. After this deal came to light, the White House reversed course and refused to grant them an exemption.

In 2004, the New York City Council passed a bill requiring city contractors to provide equal benefits to employees with domestic partners. As a recipient of city funding, the Salvation Army responded by threatening to close every soup kitchen and homeless shelter in New York City if they couldn't discriminate against gay people. The law was eventually invalidated in court.

If you choose to donate to the Salvation Army, that is what your money will be used to support: discrimination by an anti-gay religion. If that's something you'd rather not support, there are plenty of worthwhile charities that do a great deal of good and do not use religion to discriminate.

Doctors Without Borders provides medical aid in developing nations, war zones, and some of the most dangerous places in the world. They currently offer health services in over 60 countries. They work during times of famine, armed conflict, and even genocide. They are politically and religiously unaffiliated, they rely on private donors for the majority of their funding, and they provide care to anyone without discriminating.
The American Red Cross offers assistance for victims of natural disasters and other accidents. They provide food, shelter and health services in times of emergency, as well as education on safety and disaster preparedness. They also collect blood donations, and they've spoken out against the FDA's ban on gay blood donors.
Amnesty International works to end human rights abuses around the world. They campaign against torture, political imprisonment, war crimes, violence against women, and discrimination against the LGBT community, among other issues. They fight for fair trials, due process, international justice for crimes against humanity, and the freedom of expression and belief.
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is dedicated to improving living conditions for children worldwide. This includes meeting basic nutritional needs, providing healthcare and immunization, and working to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, as well as ending the exploitation of children, providing basic education, and promoting equality for women and girls.
Heifer International works to alleviate hunger by providing livestock to communities in need. This includes cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, chickens and ducks. These animals can be bred to provide a sustainable source of meat, milk, work, and income, helping these communities to thrive and prosper.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funds medical research of blood cancers, with the goal of developing better treatments and cures. While the success rates for the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma have improved over time, these are still deadly diseases.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation offers grants for the research and treatment of cystic fibrosis, a debilitating systemic disease which causes impaired breathing and progressive lung damage, often necessitating a lung transplant. Most people with cystic fibrosis die in their 20s or 30s.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation works toward developing a cure for type 1 diabetes, and treatments for its complications. While diabetes is manageable, it can eventually lead to blindness, kidney failure and amputation, as a result of accumulated damage to blood vessels.
The Scripps Research Institute is a privately-funded organization that performs research in basic biomedical science and works to understand the fundamental processes of life. The results of their work have led to significant advances in our understanding of stem cells, the immune system, genetic diseases and cancer.
Child's Play is a charity founded by the authors of Penny Arcade to organize toy drives for children's hospitals. So far, they've donated over $5 million in toys, video games, books and movies.
The Trevor Project operates the only national suicide prevention helpline for LGBT youth. It's a confidential service provided by trained counselors who are available 24/7. They also provide educational resources and workshops at schools, addressing issues like suicide, depression, sexuality and acceptance.

Finally, if you'd like to help out in your community, consider donating time, money or goods to your local food pantries and homeless shelters—especially shelters and services for LGBT youth, who are at an increased risk of homelessness.

No matter where you choose to donate, there are certainly better options than the Salvation Army. You can make a difference in the world, without having to compromise your values. So find something you care about, and help make the season a little brighter.

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