on the Salvation Army

[rm]

Please give to charity this season, but not via them.

Here's why:

http://angry-biscuit.livejournal.com/529452.html

Comments

[browneyedgirl65.livejournal.com]

I have boycotted them in favor of Goodwill for ages. Can't stand them, and it doesn't surprise me at all to see them sucking up to Little Boots. Dang, I think I've avoided them for about 20 years now.

[dragonlady7.livejournal.com]

And United Way are activists against abortion rights, too.

I sort of feel better about being a cheap bitch and seldom donating to charity. Though I do feel shamed into finding a charity that doesn't do any of this shit and supporting them instead, just to reward the good in the world rather than just avoiding the bad.

But all of this is giving me such a horrified urge to hoard what little extra money I have, out of the realization that if something awful happens to me, there is no one I will feel I can turn to for help!
... I mean, I'm white and in a heterosexual relationship and nominally Catholic, but I like to think I'd have enough pride not to accept help that wouldn't be available to me if I were still in a homosexual relationship or if I had bothered to pick up any other religions.

[mystrys.livejournal.com]

This type of thing is not just limited to the Salvation Army either - here in Charlotte, NC a Wiccan friend of mine volunteered to pick up a free air conditioner for her elderly shut in neighbor from a United Way charity.

They wouldn't give her the air conditioner until they had "shared the good news of christ jesus" with her - she was livid - I'd rather give my charitable contributions to my local animal shelter than trust that these charities would actually not discriminate based upon faith!! -Mystrys

[heron61.livejournal.com]

I had a conversation with a Canadian friend a while back. He works with the Salvation Army up there, and according to him and other Canadians I've talked too, it's a tool for social good up there. OTOH, down here in fundy-land, the Salvation Army is pretty much an arm of the Religious Right.

Dear gods, I'm hoping that the election next year might finally mark the end of the journey into reactionary politics and religious zealotry that started almost 30 years ago.

Thankfully this is not the practice in Canada

[newwaytowrite.livejournal.com]

as we have donated many items to many outlets of SA in Canada over the years. It is also a charity that my Mother has given money to for years now that we are all grown up and it helps no one to give us gifts we don't need.

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

Alas, not news. If people want to give somewhere awesome, I'd recommend Heifer International.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

I've known for awhile about the Army's practices. Even though they're bigger than Goodwill around here, there's no way I'll donate anything to them.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

Post 9/11 when I had lost my job ( layoff ), place to live, the NYS tax division had frozen my bank account (For a stupid reason , which they later recanted ), and my unemployment benefits were about to run out, not a single charity/assistance provider would help me. I either ' made too much money ' ( even though I was unemployed ) , or I didn't qualify for assistance due to one thing or another. They were ever so ready to disqualify me rather than give me any kind of assistance.

From that point on I have never given to any charity. Instead I give to my friends when they are in need, because they are the ones who helped and supported me when I needed it.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

I actually found myself really angry today when I ran smack into a pack of SA making music and money on the sidewalk in front of Macy's. I thought we'd run them out of town on a rail for refusing to go along with the city's non-discrimination ordinances (vs queers).

I had to resist the urge to say something rude or run over them. Instead I pointedly gave my pocket change to a nearby homeless panhandler. (I don't usually give because I want any charitable donations from my household to be approved by the guy making the money.)

Yet another reason not to shop at Macy's. Yuck.