Salvation Army

[StrawberryJam]

I have read some old threads here regarding this charity. I was concerned enough about what I read to hesitate to donate this time of year. I was aware of some of their positions I did not agree with, but felt that was not enough reason to prevent donations to a cause I feel is overall a good thing, children to have warm clothes and toys at this time, and more if they are agreeable to their terms.
So, I read on the net today that the SA in Canada is doing something I can not ignore, and would like some good catholics to help me out with, if only to listen to me rant about it.

edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2010/12/08/16478111.html

They won’t even give these toys to another charity. They are not warning people to not bother donating them either. If they did that, I would not be writing this now.
If they gave fair warning that they were doing this, then I could not see this as a very horrid disgusting practice.

But, here I am. Asking if you can help me sort this out.

 

[1ke]

Can you articulate what, specifically, horrifies you about this situation?

I can say that while I disagree with their position on the toys I respect their right not to distribute them and to withhold what they believe as spiritually harmful from others.

One thing I focused in on is that you referred to the Salvation Army as a charity. First and foremost, they are a religious denomination.

I can relate this story: Our parish bazaar had a book booth. Parishioners could donate used books and we resold them at the bazaar. Working the booth I came across books donated that were incompatible with the Catholic faith and some authors that were questionable. For example, someone had donated the anti-Catholic book DaVinci Code. So, we took those books out and we did not give them away to something like Good Will or whatever, we threw them away. They are anti-Catholic and could harm someone’s faith-- we did not want to support the sale of that book. Now, I have no problem with someone buying that book, checking it out of the library, etc, but it was not appropriate for a Catholic parish festival to have the book for sale nor, IMHO, to give it to another charity to sell.

So, I see the toy thing in the same light. It’s their right to defend their beliefs and refuse to be involved with toys they feel are incompatible with their core values and beliefs.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Can you articulate what, specifically, horrifies you about this situation?

I can say that while I disagree with their position on the toys I respect their right not to distribute them and to withhold what they believe as spiritually harmful from others.

One thing I focused in on is that you referred to the Salvation Army as a charity. First and foremost, they are a religious denomination.

I can relate this story: Our parish bazaar had a book booth. Parishioners could donate used books and we resold them at the bazaar. Working the booth I came across books donated that were incompatible with the Catholic faith and some authors that were questionable. For example, someone had donated the anti-Catholic book DaVinci Code. So, we took those books out and we did not give them away to something like Good Will or whatever, we threw them away. They are anti-Catholic and could harm someone’s faith-- we did not want to support the sale of that book. Now, I have no problem with someone buying that book, checking it out of the library, etc, but it was not appropriate for a Catholic parish festival to have the book for sale nor, IMHO, to give it to another charity to sell.

So, I see the toy thing in the same light. It’s their right to defend their beliefs and refuse to be involved with toys they feel are incompatible with their core values and beliefs.

You of all people here, do not know what they make poor catholics endure that get their “help”?

I am amazed.

 

[utah_rose]

You of all people here, do not know what they make poor catholics endure that get their “help”?

I am amazed.

I will not donate to them anymore as their national organization donates to Planned Parenthood. There are other organizations to give to such as church ones or Toys for Tots. I believe that Catholic Charities help too.

 

[1ke]

You of all people here, do not know what they make poor catholics endure that get their “help”?

I am amazed.

Personally, I don’t have anything to do with the SA. I don’t contribute to them and I would not send someone to them for help. I would send a person in need to Catholic Charities.

But, your reply doesn’t answer my question.

The article you linked to was about SA withholding Harry Potter toys, refusing to distribute them or to give them to other groups to distribute. What about that do you find horrifying?

While I don’t support SA, the principle upon which they are refusing to distribute these toys is that it is incompatible with their religious beliefs. I support their right to make that decision. They should not be required to distribute Harry Potter toys any more than a Catholic hospital should be required to distribute contraceptives.

So, maybe you are upset about something else? Or I missed something in the article? Or???

 

[StrawberryJam]

Personally, I don’t have anything to do with the SA. I don’t contribute to them and I would not send someone to them for help. I would send a person in need to Catholic Charities.

But, your reply doesn’t answer my question.

The article you linked to was about SA withholding Harry Potter toys, refusing to distribute them or to give them to other groups to distribute. What about that do you find horrifying?

While I don’t support SA, the principle upon which they are refusing to distribute these toys is that it is incompatible with their religious beliefs. I support their right to make that decision. They should not be required to distribute Harry Potter toys any more than a Catholic hospital should be required to distribute contraceptives.

So, maybe you are upset about something else? Or I missed something in the article? Or???

I told you that I researched them here at CAF on the search. Catholics should be wary of their conditional help.
At least Catholic Charities helps anyone of any belief and does not FORCE any believer to attend their Holy Mass in order to recieve help.
I admire and respect Catholics for many, many reasons. That is just one example of why I do. I can list more. But, that is off topic now.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I will not donate to them anymore as their national organization donates to Planned Parenthood. There are other organizations to give to such as church ones or Toys for Tots. I believe that Catholic Charities help too.

You are correct, Catholic Charities does help many.
Not to sidetrack that very true statement, I am objecting not just for this reason, but multiple reasons.

 

[1ke]

I told you that I researched them here at CAF on the search. Catholics should be wary of their conditional help.
At least Catholic Charities helps anyone of any belief and does not FORCE any believer to attend their Holy Mass in order to recieve help.
I admire and respect Catholics for many, many reasons. That is just one example of why I do. I can list more. But, that is off topic now.

I didn’t realize your self-described “rant” was about the SA in general, not this specific article’s content about the Harry Potter toys.

Sorry.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I didn’t realize your self-described “rant” was about the SA in general, not this specific article’s content about the Harry Potter toys.

Sorry.

No, wrong again.

I have given to them in the past using the basis that the good they do outweighs the things they do that are offensive.

I did that out of ignorance of their conditional help in regard to all matters, not just this one.
You totally lost the plot.

 

[anp1215]

No, wrong again.

I have given to them in the past using the basis that the good they do outweighs the things they do that are offensive.

I did that out of ignorance of their conditional help in regard to all matters, not just this one.
You totally lost the plot.

Sorry, I think I’ve “lost the plot” too.

 

[HealingHope]

I have to say that I find someone is so insane as to refuse to give gifts to the poor because the group giving the gifts banned a book glorifying wizardry from being given through their private organization a little creepy.

I have never liked the way people would get a “glazed over” look when defending Harry Potter. Whoever started this discussion has totally solidified my creeped out postition on this freaky bunch of books.

It irritates me that people don’t even respect a private organizations desire to protect people from evil. WOW. If a little group of little tiny-bopper books mean that much to you that you believe in withholding presents from the poor is in order, well, not much to say, point made…lol

 

[StrawberryJam]

I have to say that I find someone is so insane as to refuse to give gifts to the poor because the group giving the gifts banned a book glorifying wizardry from being given through their private organization a little creepy.

I have never liked the way people would get a “glazed over” look when defending Harry Potter. Whoever started this discussion has totally solidified my creeped out postition on this freaky bunch of books.

It irritates me that people don’t even respect a private organizations desire to protect people from evil. WOW. If a little group of little tiny-bopper books mean that much to you that you believe in withholding presents from the poor is in order, well, not much to say, point made…lol

I think you must have misunderstood me entirely. I am not defending the Harry Potter books, toys, or whatever else that is wrapped up in that fictional work.

This is a Moral Theology forum. Please bear that in mind while composing your replies.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Sorry, I think I’ve “lost the plot” too.

That’s an admirable admission. I can respect that.

 

[AdvanceAlways]

I told you that I researched them here at CAF on the search. Catholics should be wary of their conditional help.
At least Catholic Charities helps anyone of any belief and does not FORCE any believer to attend their Holy Mass in order to recieve help.
I admire and respect Catholics for many, many reasons. That is just one example of why I do. I can list more. But, that is off topic now.

I beg to differ with this statement. When my family needed assistance many years back, my family turned to Catholic Charities who refused to help because a particular member of the family was Jewish. As a devout Catholic, Catholic Charities will never receive a penny from me.

Back on topic, to the OP, The SA is a Church, and can do what is in their viewpoint of morality.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I beg to differ with this statement. When my family needed assistance many years back, my family turned to Catholic Charities who refused to help because a particular member of the family was Jewish. As a devout Catholic, Catholic Charities will never receive a penny from me.

Back on topic, to the OP, The SA is a Church, and can do what is in their viewpoint of morality.

I could care less if they want to consider the books evil or dolls evil. I do care that they do not tell people who donate that the items will be thrown away. The person donating the items has a right to expect that they be given away as implied by their request for them and alleged promise they will be delivered to said children. The donors are not given full disclosure.
What the donor can do at that point, is up to them. There are plently of other places that would take them.

And, your logic does not follow that a Church can do whatever they want and still be moral. Of course they can toss them all away. It depends on how they go about it if it would be considered moral. I know a woman who is in charge of a coat drive effort at her church. They don’t disclose to the donors that the volunteers go pick through them first for themselves and their children. If many of the donors knew that was happening, they would refuse to donate to them. The volunteers that work with her in this effort are not needy. Just greedy and cheap.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I beg to differ with this statement. When my family needed assistance many years back, my family turned to Catholic Charities who refused to help because a particular member of the family was Jewish. As a devout Catholic, Catholic Charities will never receive a penny from me.

Back on topic, to the OP, The SA is a Church, and can do what is in their viewpoint of morality.

Catholic Charities did something many years back to a family member of yours that was wrong, so they are not a group you will associate with.
Catholic Church did not behave very nicely to Jews for a period of time many years ago, but that is a group that you will associate with.

Not strong logic.

 

[anp1215]

Catholic Charities did something many years back to a family member of yours that was wrong, so they are not a group you will associate with.
Catholic Church did not behave very nicely to Jews for a period of time many years ago, but that is a group that you will associate with.

Not strong logic.

The Catholic Church is more than “a group” that one “associates with.”

 

[StrawberryJam]

The Catholic Church is more than “a group” that one “associates with.”

This only weakens the person’s argument further. Had you thought that out first, you would have refrained from heaping more hot coals on it.

 

[anp1215]

This only weakens the person’s argument further. Had you thought that out first, you would have refrained from heaping more hot coals on it.

I don’t see why, but ok. I don’t think I’m going to post any more on this nonsensical thread anyway. Have a blessed day and Merry Christmas!

 

[Greg57]

I have read some old threads here regarding this charity. I was concerned enough about what I read to hesitate to donate this time of year. I was aware of some of their positions I did not agree with, but felt that was not enough reason to prevent donations to a cause I feel is overall a good thing, children to have warm clothes and toys at this time, and more if they are agreeable to their terms.
So, I read on the net today that the SA in Canada is doing something I can not ignore, and would like some good catholics to help me out with, if only to listen to me rant about it.

edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2010/12/08/16478111.html

They won’t even give these toys to another charity. They are not warning people to not bother donating them either. If they did that, I would not be writing this now.
If they gave fair warning that they were doing this, then I could not see this as a very horrid disgusting practice.

But, here I am. Asking if you can help me sort this out.

It’s obvious someone in the SA is not a Potter or Twilight fan. But even so, I commend them on the decision. The Potter and Twilight stuff are not Christian in the slightest.