[lightman]

Nationally 82 cents per dollar donated goes directly to the needy...and some local Corps have even lower overhead.

The charity is almost without parallel.

However, I cannot in good conscience call a religious organization which disavows Baptism and the Lord’s Supper a Church.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

I am more ecumenical about other Christians and while their lack of the sacraments would keep from going there, I am pretty sure I have more in common with the average SA member than I do with the average Episcopalian.

My concern about the SA, as a church, being attacked is when is this going to start happening to other churches and church organizations that haven’t submitted to the unnatural sex Mafia.

[alexander_busek]

However, I cannot in good conscience call a religious organization which disavows Baptism and the Lord’s Supper a Church.

Is anyone asking you to call it a church!? Does the S.A. claim to be a church?! Does the S.A. have to be a church?!

Help me understand you, here.

Regards,

[Governor Dinwiddie]

They are not against Baptism or the Lord's Supper. But they don't practice it. They are totally OK with Baptism and the Lord's supper if you go to some other church. I think this is curious too. From what I was able to find, the idea was that the sacraments are not a requirement for salvation.

excerpt from the Stackexchange

1. The Army's Founders felt that many Christians had come to rely on the outward signs of spiritual grace rather than on grace itself. William and Catherine Booth believed, with the Apostle Paul, that salvation came solely from the grace of God personally received by faith. They felt that much of what passed for Christianity in their day was primarily an observance of outward ritual.
    
2. Some Bible scholars had pointed out that there was no scriptural basis for regarding the sacraments as essential to salvation or Christian living. Many Christians assumed that Jesus commanded the use of baptism and holy communion. But there are very few New Testament references to these practices and it was argued that none of them showed any intention by Jesus that they (or any other practice) should have become fixed ceremonies.
    
3. The sacraments had been a divisive influence in the Church throughout Christian history and at times the cause of bitter controversy and abuse.
    
4. Some churches would not allow women to administer the sacraments. The Army, however, believed that women may take an equal part in its ministry, and did not want to compromise this stance.
    
5. The Society of Friends (the Quakers) had managed to live holy lives without the use of sacraments.
    
6. Many early-day converts to the Army had previously been alcoholics. It was considered unwise to tempt them with the wine used in holy communion.

Furthermore:

it should be stressed that Salvationists have never been in opposition to the sacraments. Indeed, when they take part in gatherings with Christians from other churches, Salvationists will often share in using the symbols of the Lord's Supper as a sign of fellowship. Furthermore, Salvationists are not prevented from being baptised in other churches should they so desire.