Posted on 12/13/2014 5:24:46 AM PST by NYer
It’s Advent and our thoughts naturally turn toward less fortunate souls, longing for basic niceties, and the call for selfless giving. Christ-like love, almsgiving, and prayer are staples of this anticipatory time which brings in the new Church year. The scripture readings at Mass remind us of those in need and our moral obligation toward them. What a sad statement about current times, then, that we are forced to look a gift horse in the mouth.
No, not the gifts we receive, but the gifts we give.
As the giving season continues, as well as the rest of the year, we are often hard-pressed to find a charity compatible with our moral values. The mainstay options of Girl Scouts, UNICEF, and the ALS Association have already been exposed as being bedfellows with unsavory sorts – like Planned Parenthood.
Although there are worthy, ethical alternatives, you won’t find them pushed by banks, schools, businesses, or even churches. You won’t encounter them as you fulfill Christmas wish lists at the local mall. But as Catholics, we are not called to be of the world – we are just temporary inhabitants in the world, on our way to Eternal Life. With this in mind, a Catholic is best served by a bit of research and discernment.
Ring-a-ling-a-ling — the bell beckons passers-by to drop their change into the red kettle of the Salvation Army (SA).Yet even charity isn’t as simple as it seems. What ethical problems surface when the SA is scrutinized? Shouldn’t we be concerned about the destination of our good deeds?
When it comes to large organizations, it isn’t enough to blindly give. As Catholics (or any Christians, for that matter), we have a moral obligation to hold charities accountable. Since there are many options, we are capable of making a difference by giving to good, morally sound organizations. In a past year, I wrote an in-depth piece outlining and providing sources to some very disturbing facts about the Salvation Army. Here, I offer an reiteration of what my research found.
On the surface, the beginning of the SA Positional Statement is morally sound. There is acknowledgment that all people are created in the image of God, and therefore have unique and intrinsic value. They further state that human life is sacred, and that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. The Salvation Army also accepts that life beings at the moment of fertilization. So far, so good.
Later, in same section, there are shocking contradictions. The Salvation Army notes that termination can occur when “carrying the pregnancy further seriously threatens the life of the mother” or diagnostic procedures identify a fetal abnormality causing only a “very brief post-natal period”. Further, rape and incest also represent “special case[s] for the consideration of termination”. These exceptions portray a troubling contradiction to the professed “sanctity, unique dignity and respect” due to the “image of God” found in our unborn brethren.
In order to determine collusion between the Salvation Army and Planned Parenthood, we must look at material cooperation as well as monetary support. While SA may not directly contribute to PP, there is evidence that they do partner with one another. Research by Life Decisions International has found this to be the case, and has placed the Salvation Army on their Dishonorable Mention list. Further, American Life League has also found a troubling connection between the two. Simply considering “all the good they do” is not enough to excuse or set aside this compromise of pro-life principles.
As we further peruse the SA website we can also find stated support of contraception in their international positional statement:
“A serious commitment to the protection and care of the unborn calls us to a commitment to the prevention of unwanted pregnancy through means such as access to reliable birth control ….”
Yikes, yet another position not in sync with Holy Mother Church! Don’t they know that oral and many other contraceptives (such as the IUD) are also abortifacients?
Here we find even more, compelling incompatibility. Founder William Booth completely rejected the Sacraments. Although for some years he continued to follow the Protestant tradition of two Sacraments – Baptism and the “Lord’s Supper” — he held they were purely symbolic, until finally he dispensed with them altogether. In practice, many adult recruits had never been baptized, nor was it required. In the end, Booth had come to the conclusion that not only were the Sacraments not vital, they were mistakes. Therefore, in his “Foundation Deed”, he abolished the Sacraments completely. This is definitely not a good match for Catholic charity.
So how should we resolve our moral Advent/Christmas almsgiving conundrum? Do the good works performed by the SA outweigh their acceptance of abortion exceptions, support of contraception, and heretodox views?
In a word, no. After all, the options for charitable giving are vast. We are easily able to find a more ethical and life-affirming recipient for our alms. Rather than giving to a sect that has little moral common ground with Holy Mother Church, perhaps our focus should go to more suitable recipients.
Luke’s Gospel tells us, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” (Luke 3:11) Surely, our pastors know of local families who are in need. Perhaps a young woman in your area finds herself pregnant during this season. Pregnancy Support Centers can always use help as well.
Using the comprehensive list provided by American Life League, we can also look for charitable opportunities, among organizations, that are ethically compatible with the teachings of Holy Mother Church. Among these: Food for the Poor, Habitat for Humanity, MaterCare International, Water.org and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Why not give a gift to some such person or group? How about you … do you have any ideas?
My father was in WWII and Korea and he hated the Red Cross because they used to charge for a cup of coffee.
He always said the only charity he supported was the Salvation Army.
I wonder how much the Salvation Army's CE makes compared with the United Way extortion scam's CEO. Are Catholics cool with them?
We have become so leery of what goes on behind the scenes with charities....we’re extremely selective when it comes to giving. St. Judes research hospital is worthy of support, IMO.
I’m not buying what this article is selling, though, and I won’t stop giving to the red kettle.
The thread has served one good purpose for me, however. I’ve been cleaning out closets and I have loads of practically new things to donate. I don’t know why I didn’t think of the Salvation Army...I think I’ll call and see if they can use them. Maybe the clothes will actually end up on a needy person’s body instead of sold to make recycled fiber.
We stopped giving to WWP when they went through their anti-gun phase (refused to appear on a gun talk radio show) and it was determined their “giving to actual cause” dollars weren’t as high as other organizations, like The Fisher House. Who knows whether or not they’ve “evolved”, but they lost us as supporters.
The WWP topic has been discussed, here, on several threads.
FYI, here are some links to a post and thread that lists their overall rating (as well as other orgs)...
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/post?id=3150913%2C2
and
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3090003/posts
This is too bad. They were once a great organization.
During the big floods in 1993, I saw what the Salvation Army does in disasters. While the Red Cross was holding press conferences, the SA was serving hot meals to volunteers (including me), passing out clean up kits for people whose homes were flooded and helping people in every way possible. They never sought any publicity...just did their job helping people. I may not 100% agree with their politics, but I have no problem giving to the SA because I know that money will be well spent in the community.
Papists not concerned one bit by what Protestants do ping!
Really??? I didn’t know....got any info on this? I’ll also look into it.
Do know there are some FRoman Catholics who openly wish America was a Catholic Monarchy?
Me neither. One time, many, many years ago, the SA gave me something like $15. But it meant a lot to me at the time.
I’ve paid it forward, even just counting the red kettles, many, many times over and I’m thankful to do it.
My dad said the same thing.
bump
Salvation Army and Planned Parenthood: What’s the Connection?
Still waiting for their answer.... the article provides nothing.
It asks a question and never gives an answer but then pretends like there was a bad answer.
“Salvation Army and Planned Parenthood: What’s the Connection?”
No connection was actually stated
Amen to them; been doing that for a LONG time.
As a Catholic Monarchist I want to say that, though I believe that a faithful Catholic monarchy is the best form of government and that one day there will be such a government, in the meantime I fully support making do with the system we currently have. Any drastic change is entirely up to the will of God.
In order to determine collusion between the Salvation Army and Planned Parenthood, we must look at material cooperation as well as monetary support.
I'd hardly call this "no connection stated."
Too funny, the coincidence is. That the Red Cross does this is anything but humerus and boy do their execs rake in the dough.
I prefer to donate to my Church as I know where the money goes and we don’t have one of those dopy Pastors that say God has instructed them to build a new Church. A church to honor God, or the Pastor, hmmmm, I wonder?
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