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?
//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.//
Mormon views are even more pro-abortion (it is ok as long as you pray about it) yet people here defend them as being ‘pro-life’.
Nothing more than gossip. “Troubling connection?” Well, name it.
The SA is the best place to give cash. Catholic Charities give cash to lefty groups too. Would rather give to the SA and I am a Catholic.
How many lives would be lost if the Salvation Army was to be destroyed by this type of campaign?
Stories of lives changed/saved: http://satruck.org/about/news/stories/
How many Catholics in good standing with their church fully support abortion?
the homosexual agenda?
And the pope himself prays in mosques and has favorably compared the Bible to the Koran.
Undoubtedly the only conclusion one can make from these facts is that the Catholic church gives tacit support to planned parenthood, Islam, and the homosexual agenda.
I’m sending you a case of Windex for Christmas. Many glass houses to clean.
Why not promote the authors charity of choice without tearing g down other charity’s such as salvation army.
Amen!
Wounded warrior gives around 58% of the money to veterans. That’s pretty good for charities and gets it rated pretty high by the groups that monitor charities.
Horribly written, misleading, and unethical. It looks like the author has a grudge against the Salvation Army, and went looking for reasons to support that grudge.
The Salvation Army is simply the best-run organization in the United States, IMHO. My Marine friends might object to that...so I'd better Salvation Army is simply the best-run civilian organization in the United States.
This article is based on nothing but speculation and denigrates one of the most charitable CHRISTIAN institutions on Earth. Whereas most Catholic Priests live in good housing and eat the best foods, the Ministry of the Salvation Army is to provide for the needs of the poor and help with disaster recovery. They are usually first on the scene with food, clothing, and a warm hand and a smile. Yet, their salaries and stipends are extremely modest. The money put into those kettles is used for providing services, not for building fancy edifices and gilt idols of worship. There are lies, and damn lies. This one is lower than that!
This display of Roman Catholic bigotry is disgusting!
I don't see anything about promoting religious wars in the FR Mission Statement. Some here wish to turn it into a religion forum, and it usually devolves into "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin".
It goes along with the type of person who equates Billy Graham with known frauds and cults.
Take heart.
That kind of desperation is is very telling.
If that’s the lengths they have to go to to build themselves up, it doesn’t speak well of them.
Catholicism should be able to stand on its own merit. If they have to denigrate other non-Catholic organizations that way, it shows that it can’t.
And of course, there’s also Catholic Charities that they could be addressing. Start at home instead of ignoring the elephant in the room and attacking an organization that does such admirable work.
I’m not a Catholic but I am a conservative Christian and I support the Salvation Army as a worthy charity that does far more good than the “harm” supposedly caused by their stance on abortions.
TC
Indeed. When Catholics quit empowering pro-choice pro-sodomite marriage Democrats on Election Day; I might give a rat's patootie about their opinions on those issues.
The Salvation Army does good things in a very bad world, and is known for having the least amount of overhead.
I am offended that someone would put up some Catholic Agenda hit piece on The Salvation Army that insinuates that the loose change you donate to the bell ringers outside the Piggly Wiggly goes towards funding abortions. That is outrageous.
Catholics ought to clean up their own mess of graft and institututionalized protection of homosexual abuse of children first before attacking The Salvation Army.
ping to post 32
I posted my response before reading the comments... expecting a flame war... glad to see I am not alone here.
Yep. One reason Constantinople fell to Islam is that the various Christian powers continued to squabble among themselves as the Turks advanced.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
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