Red Kettles: The Salvation Army and Abortion?

[gracepoole]

I always drop some money in the kettles and have even worked them once. The money is used well here. There position statement on abortion is sound, but that has little to do with the money they collect through the kettle drive. I have had at least one case of questionable accusations from the American Life League. So while I appreciate the desire to keep people informed, I don’t believe every rumor I hear on the internet. I know that the Salvation Army helps the need to the tune of 82% of all funds, which makes them a good social justice investment, in my opinion.

The irony is that the very day I shared this story, my 8-year-old daughter and a group of her friends were signed up to ring bells for the SA in front of our local Wal-Mart. We went last night, sang carols, and had many people stop to donate. I don’t regret it. There is a woman in a wheelchair (she’s a double amputee) who mans the kettle whenever there isn’t someone else signed up to do so. She’s there for hours upon hours every day, often in frigid temperatures. Knowing that she herself benefits from the SA got me past any initial hesitancy I experienced. I don’t know if we’ll support the red kettles in the future but I’m at peace with our actions this year.

 

[RCinMT]

The irony is that the very day I shared this story, my 8-year-old daughter and a group of her friends were signed up to ring bells for the SA in front of our local Wal-Mart. We went last night, sang carols, and had many people stop to donate. I don’t regret it. There is a woman in a wheelchair (she’s a double amputee) who mans the kettle whenever there isn’t someone else signed up to do so. She’s there for hours upon hours every day, often in frigid temperatures. Knowing that she herself benefits from the SA got me past any initial hesitancy I experienced. I don’t know if we’ll support the red kettles in the future but I’m at peace with our actions this year.

As you should be. We are allowed to work with those who hold views antithetical to our own as long as the work we’re doing involves areas of agreement. It sounds to me like the money placed in the kettles is used to help the homeless. While I know money is fungible and, yes, it could be construed that money in the kettles frees up money to be used for abortion, I wouldn’t say that working the kettles or putting money in one is an act of intentional defiance of Church teaching.

It’s wonderful that your eight year-old is out doing that kind of work. We started talking with our four year-old about an hour with us at the local food bank this year, she seems to think it sounds fun.

 

[Brownginger]

For many years, it has amazed me how TSA has almost become synonymous with Christmas. The red kettles began as a fund-raising scheme for a religious sect in Britain and the rest is history. (Their work is mired in layers of documents and statements and I doubt that anyone outside of the ptb knows the whole story. What is known, however, gives me pause about supporting them.)

What a great idea! Inspired! TSA has folks from all faiths dropping coins and even much, much larger denominations of money into those red kettles, never thinking that they are actually donating to support the work of a religious sect. People who would be aghast at the request of a church not their own asking that they put something into a collection basket happily throw their hard-earned change into a kettle just because it is regarded as the thing to do and it is difficult to pass by those smiling bell ringers who are outside in the cold.

My question is this: Why hasn’t the Catholic Church come up with a similar means of accepting donations at this most giving time of the year? Afraid to look like we’re stepping on sacred ground of another religion? Why not share the spaces around malls and markets? A while ago, I called various locations in my hometown about the possibility of having Catholic Charities or a similar organization do this and was greeted with very positive response. It might take a little outlay to get started, but the reward could be wonderful. Just think: a Catholic would have an alternative kettle in which to place those loose coins and to ease that guilty feeling about passing up a SA kettle. And the same number of poor would be assisted with the proceeds!

I doubt that very many American Catholics know about the workings of TSA or even care. Just like most everyone else, they mindlessly throw stuff in the kettles out of guilt or a compulsion to share or whatever. In recent years, my guilty feelings about passing up TSA kettles is alleviated by a kind word and a smile and a “Merry Christmas” for the bellringers. They really are very nice people and don’t hold a grudge. And my pennies and loose dollar bills will go into my parish collection basket. Everybody wins!

 

[gracepoole]

People who would be aghast at the request of a church not their own asking that they put something into a collection basket happily throw their hard-earned change into a kettle just because it is regarded as the thing to do and it is difficult to pass by those smiling bell ringers who are outside in the cold.

Why would I hesitate to support other Christian churches in their charitable works? Why would I be “aghast” at such a proposal?

Just like most everyone else, they mindlessly throw stuff in the kettles out of guilt or a compulsion to share or whatever.

How about out of generosity and a desire to help others? That’s why I’ve donated to red kettles in the past – not because of guilt or compulsion. Though, hey, if someone has a compulsion to share, great! So should we all.

 

[Brownginger]

I was not being mean-spirited. I did say “or whatever,” which includes a desire to help others. No one knows the breakdown of the donations. I just go by what I used to do, and that is “Oh, the red kettle. Must donate.”

I guess modern Catholics don’t have the mindset of those of us who grew up thinking that we should support only the Catholic church and that support of other sects or whatever term you have for Protestants, Jewish, SA, etc., actually could involve sin.

It seems fairly benign to suggest that Catholics keep their charitable dollars in their pockets when passing a red kettle and that they give them instead to some Catholic charity or to their parish. If Catholic Charities, for instance, were to receive all of the donations Catholics put in the red kettles, CC’s mission would be able to reach so many more people. Catholics helping Catholics used to be a mantra; now it seems it may just be another exercise that has passed into history.

 

[jtav]

Depending on where one lives, a Catholic charity may do next to nothing for the local area. Down here in the rural South, the nearest Catholic Charities office is 150 miles away, the parish tithe goes to worthy but nonsectarian charities, and the local SA and interfaith (Protestant) group are the only ones helping. Consult local conditions.

 

[pnewton]

It seems fairly benign to suggest that Catholics keep their charitable dollars in their pockets when passing a red kettle and that they give them instead to some Catholic charity or to their parish.

It seems benign. I would only suggest letting all do what they think best. For me, I am not organized enough to do it. The money I do not drop would more likely end up in the sofa.

 

[psalm90]

Depending on where one lives, a Catholic charity may do next to nothing for the local area. Down here in the rural South, the nearest Catholic Charities office is 150 miles away,** the parish tithe** goes to worthy but nonsectarian charities, and the local SA and interfaith (Protestant) group are the only ones helping. Consult local conditions.

I just joined a different parish in my town and the pastor said he was "tithing 2%" to TSA.

The idea of a parish tithe is incomprehensible to me. When I give them money, they just turn around and give it away? That’s crazy to me.

If I want to contribute to TSA or Boy Scouts or Boys and Girls Clubs, etc. I can do it. My parish is BROKE and they’re giving money away!! What planet are we on? Are these churches telling us THEY know how to spend my money better than I do?

Locally, I notice that church organizations organize trips to casinos, but I’ve never heard of casinos driving anybody to church.

Likewise, I’ve heard of our parish donating to TSA, but why is this? Does TSA help our parish directly? Or, is the idea that Catholics are getting help from TSA?

 

[pnewton]

I just joined a different parish in my town and the pastor said he was "tithing 2%" to TSA.
T
Likewise, I’ve heard of our parish donating to TSA, but why is this? Does TSA help our parish directly? Or, is the idea that Catholics are getting help from TSA?

If you are concerned enough for it to bother you, then perhaps you should talk to the pastor about it. It might be educational.

We have a parish in town that supports a scout troop, with facilities, space, and probably other ways The derive great benefit, besides fulfilling a ministry of spiritual education. If the Salvation Army provides for the poor and needy., then I can see why it might be cost effective for a small parish to work through them. Charity is not about what you get. There was one parish nearby, a large one, that gave a lot to a local second hand store and food pantry. Even though they were quite large enough for St. Vincent dePaul, they joined other churches in the city in these cooperative ventures. Then, when someone in need came to the parish, they issued vouchers for food, clothing or both. The pooled resources made sense. A side benefit was the ecumenical good will from working with other people of faith.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

All I know is that when there’s a hurricane, major fire, long-lasting power outage, even a rare (for here) tornado – the Salvation Army shows up. The diocese? Local parishes? Not so much. And yes, I realize that they lack the infrastructure and organization for such things, but the SA is quick to respond to real human needs.