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EphelDuath
Guest
Would it be acceptable to donate to the Salvation Army, or would my money be morally spent better at something like Catholic Relief Services?
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Dale_M
Guest
I am a bit uncomfortable with S.A. being a religious denomination, but they do good things. Their mobile kitchens, deployed after natural disasters, are surely welcomed by the people affected by devastating storms.
I do donate to the Salvation Army kettles during Advent. But I prefer that the bulk of my charitable giving go to Church affiliated programs.
I do donate to the Salvation Army kettles during Advent. But I prefer that the bulk of my charitable giving go to Church affiliated programs.
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CB_Catholic
Guest
I don’t see anything morally objectionable to giving to the Salvation Army. They don’t discriminate as who they give relief to, they are highly visible and have stood up to public scrutiny, they don’t support either directly or indirectly any morally objectional causes, and they help many people. Of course I support my Church and it’s charitable endeavors, but they can’t reach everybody (no one organization can), and there is nothing wrong in spreading your charitable contributions around a little to help as many people as possible.
And you really have to admire the guy or gal who is standing out in the bitter cold and wind (up North here) for hours with a smile on their face and a pleasant “God Bless You”, ringing their bells to collect money for the poor for Jesus.
Faith in action.
And you really have to admire the guy or gal who is standing out in the bitter cold and wind (up North here) for hours with a smile on their face and a pleasant “God Bless You”, ringing their bells to collect money for the poor for Jesus.
Faith in action.
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war_eagle
Guest
Nothing immoral about the Salvation Army. They’re a fine group.
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IrishAm
Guest
When my grandfather returned from the horrors of WWI, he was a country boy, with no family, alone in a big city. The Salvation Army took him in; fed, clothed and housed him until he found work. There was no religious strings put on their charity. In our family, you simply DO NOT pass the red kettle without putting something in it and thanking them for their efforts. Some debts can never be fully repaid.
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renmenhaiti
Guest
I just found this Salvation Army site outlining their abortion beliefs. Included is the link and the text that is found on the page. In the first few sentences they speak truth and after that they start contradicting themselves.
www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-sublinks/3549CC1158DC31DF80256F960048DA18?openDocument
Abortion
Positional Statement
The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life from the moment of fertilisation. It considers each person to be of infinite value, and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved.
The Salvation Army actively supports efforts to protect and promote the welfare of the weak and defenceless person, including the unborn. It takes seriously the rights and needs of both the foetus and the mother. It accepts that termination of a pregnancy may be justified on certain limited grounds; that is, where, in the judgment of competent medical and allied staff, the pregnancy poses a serious threat to the life of the mother, or could result in irreversible physical injury to the mother. In cases of proven rape or legally defined incest an abortion may be justified because of the extent to which rape and incest violate the whole person. Termination of a pregnancy may also be justified where reliable diagnostic procedures determine that a foetal abnormality is present which is incompatible with life other than brief post-natal survival or where there is total absence of cognitive function.
It is The Salvation Army’s experience that, where unwanted pregnancies occur, in most instances it is best to counsel acceptance of the situation by all involved, for the foetus to be carried to term, and for all possible supportive help to be given.
When an abortion has taken place The Salvation Army will seek to offer loving and compassionate pastoral care.
A serious commitment to the protection and care of the unborn calls The Salvation Army equally to promote and work for a society in which all those born into it find loving acceptance and the resources necessary to enable them to reach their fullest potential.
www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-sublinks/3549CC1158DC31DF80256F960048DA18?openDocument
Abortion
Positional Statement
The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life from the moment of fertilisation. It considers each person to be of infinite value, and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved.
The Salvation Army actively supports efforts to protect and promote the welfare of the weak and defenceless person, including the unborn. It takes seriously the rights and needs of both the foetus and the mother. It accepts that termination of a pregnancy may be justified on certain limited grounds; that is, where, in the judgment of competent medical and allied staff, the pregnancy poses a serious threat to the life of the mother, or could result in irreversible physical injury to the mother. In cases of proven rape or legally defined incest an abortion may be justified because of the extent to which rape and incest violate the whole person. Termination of a pregnancy may also be justified where reliable diagnostic procedures determine that a foetal abnormality is present which is incompatible with life other than brief post-natal survival or where there is total absence of cognitive function.
It is The Salvation Army’s experience that, where unwanted pregnancies occur, in most instances it is best to counsel acceptance of the situation by all involved, for the foetus to be carried to term, and for all possible supportive help to be given.
When an abortion has taken place The Salvation Army will seek to offer loving and compassionate pastoral care.
A serious commitment to the protection and care of the unborn calls The Salvation Army equally to promote and work for a society in which all those born into it find loving acceptance and the resources necessary to enable them to reach their fullest potential.
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Newbie2
Guest
Where do you see a contradiction? In the wording of “…when an abortion has taken place…”?
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renmenhaiti
Guest
Here’s the contradiction:
“The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life from the moment of fertilization. It considers each person to be of infinite value, and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved.”
This is all true, life begins at conception, every life is infinitely valuable, and a gift from God.
Then they go on to say:
“It accepts that termination of a pregnancy may be justified on certain limited grounds; that is, where, in the judgment of competent medical and allied staff, the pregnancy poses a serious threat to the life of the mother, or could result in irreversible physical injury to the mother. In cases of proven rape or legally defined incest an abortion may be justified because of the extent to which rape and incest violate the whole person. Termination of a pregnancy may also be justified where reliable diagnostic procedures determine that a fetal abnormality is present which is incompatible with life other than brief post-natal survival or where there is total absence of cognitive function.”
**So what they are saying is, if a person of “infinite value” and a “gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved” is brought into the world under less than ideal conditions, such as through rape or incest, or if the child has a deformity, that the “infinitely valuable gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved” can be killed. **
That is the contradiction.
“The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life from the moment of fertilization. It considers each person to be of infinite value, and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved.”
This is all true, life begins at conception, every life is infinitely valuable, and a gift from God.
Then they go on to say:
“It accepts that termination of a pregnancy may be justified on certain limited grounds; that is, where, in the judgment of competent medical and allied staff, the pregnancy poses a serious threat to the life of the mother, or could result in irreversible physical injury to the mother. In cases of proven rape or legally defined incest an abortion may be justified because of the extent to which rape and incest violate the whole person. Termination of a pregnancy may also be justified where reliable diagnostic procedures determine that a fetal abnormality is present which is incompatible with life other than brief post-natal survival or where there is total absence of cognitive function.”
**So what they are saying is, if a person of “infinite value” and a “gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved” is brought into the world under less than ideal conditions, such as through rape or incest, or if the child has a deformity, that the “infinitely valuable gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved” can be killed. **
That is the contradiction.
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EHRAM
Guest
The Salvation Army offers assistance in reconciliation of estranged family members. If you have lost touch with a relative and want to make contact again, the Salvation Army will locate that person and ask if they want to resume contact. I know of one case in which a man was able to happily reunite with his biological parent after over 40 years of separation due to his parents’ divorce. I don’t know of any other organization that offers this type of service.
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buffalo
Guest
Give to Catholic Charities of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging
or you local Catholic School.
Keep it in house - so to speak.
or you local Catholic School.
Keep it in house - so to speak.
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EHRAM
Guest
I agree that most of one’s giving should be to the Catholic Church and to Catholic organizations such as Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, St. Vincent de Paul, etc.
However, I also believe in witholding judgment towards Christian organizations that are doing work in Jesus’ name and bearing a significant amount of good fruit (Luke 9:49-50, Matt 7:17-20). I think that one’s own conscience should be a good guide when considering what non-Catholic organizations to support.
However, I also believe in witholding judgment towards Christian organizations that are doing work in Jesus’ name and bearing a significant amount of good fruit (Luke 9:49-50, Matt 7:17-20). I think that one’s own conscience should be a good guide when considering what non-Catholic organizations to support.
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buffalo
Guest
Most contibutors have limited resources. I believe you should give to the one’s that advance our Catholic mission as a priority.
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rwoehmke
Guest
In my county the Salvation Army is the only group that cares for transients and others that don’t normally end up in one of our battered women shelters. Most of our local churches end up helping to administer the funds raised with the red kettles. Their members even take their turns with the Kettles, so it has evolved into a somewhat cooperative effort by all. A family hits town out of gas and if appropriate their tank gets filled. A transient hits town and needs food and shelter, some of those funds help him. I don’t think there is an official shelter or soup kitchen belonging to the S.A. until one would travel across the state line into Minnesota and on into the twin cities. I don’t recall that anyone ever must listen to an S.A. sermon or service in order to receive help. In fact in my small town it is a Catholic Couple who serve as the local contact.
As Jesus told his disciples when they returned and complained of others healing in his name. If they ain’t against us they be for us. I would expect in larger metropolitan areas Catholic Charities exist and would recommend you support them.
As Jesus told his disciples when they returned and complained of others healing in his name. If they ain’t against us they be for us. I would expect in larger metropolitan areas Catholic Charities exist and would recommend you support them.
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