Salvation army nixes divisive policy change

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/122001a.asp ^ | November 12, 2001 | By Allie Martin and Jody Brown

[RMrattlesnake]

(AgapePress) - The Salvation Army has established a national policy that overrides a controversial decision by one of its territories that would have extended "domestic partner" benefits to its employees.

On Monday, it was announced that The Salvation Army's Commissioners' Conference established a national policy to extend health benefit access to an employee's spouse and dependent children only. Last week, officials in the Western Territory of The Salvation Army announced that they were offering domestic partner benefits to employees, even homosexual employees, indicating it was willing to go along with a City of San Francisco policy that demands groups doing business with it have a domestic partner benefits program.

According to a memo distributed Monday by The Army's Commissioner Lawrence Moretz to Army officers, the Commissioners' Conference states clearly that its decision rescinds the Western Territory's earlier policy on domestic partner benefits.

"In rescinding this policy and in the establishment of a national policy on health-care benefit access to spouse and dependent children, we must stand united in the battle that will undoubtedly follow from those who would now challenge our biblical and traditional position," the memo reads. "We will not sign any government contract or any other funding contracts that contain domestic partner benefit requirements."

Moretz acknowledges the Conference decision may mean The Army will have to back away from some historical funding sources or cut back services in some communities. "We must be prepared for this," Moretz writes, "and prayerfully accept the challenge to seek funding and continue our ministry that will not compromise any of our principles."

The Mississippi-based American Family Association is applauding the decision to rescind the policy. AFA president and founder Dr. Don Wildmon says he and other pro-family groups are pleased because the extension of same-sex partners of homosexual employees of The Army "had caused great confusion and consternation within the Christian community."

Lt. Col. Donald Canning, divisional commander for The Army's Southern Territory, also stated he is pleased that officials quickly reversed their controversial decision.

© 2001 AgapePress all rights reserved

[RMrattlesnake]

I was not goning to give them any money this year becouse they were going to give domestic partner benefits. But now I will give even more to there red kettles. Praise the lord!, that the gays didn't get to distroy the salvation army.

[mdittmar]

Like the Boy Scouts,the battle has begun.

[RMrattlesnake]

I fear that you are right. We must pray that god will continue to bless the boy scouts and the salvation army. That the gays well not get there perverted hands on these fine organizations

[rickmoe]

the kettles are going to fill up this year!!!!!

[Dane]

A huzzah for the Salvation Army in saying no to PCism.

[bulldog905]

Salvation and sodomy are an incompatible mix.

3 cheers for the SA for standing on theological and moral grounds!

[SubSailor]

I've never put more than pocket change in the red kettles, but now I'm going to be stuffing bills in there!

[TroutStalker]

The homosexual rights activists cannot destroy any organization that will not kowtow to their agenda. I have been planning to make the local Salvation Army my major charity since dropping the United Way, and now I am certain I will.

[Ratatoskr]

Salvation Army is the only charity I'll give to, and I'm not a Christian. I think they're the only honest players out there.

[aruanan]

Last week, officials in the Western Territory of The Salvation Army announced that they were offering domestic partner benefits to employees, even homosexual employees, indicating it was willing to go along with a City of San Francisco policy that demands groups doing business with it have a domestic partner benefits program.

I figured it was some regional thing. It just shows how carefully organizations have to watch who they let into policy-making positions.

[gulfcoast6]

I advised the national branch, state and local that I would not longer donate in my time or money and was told they were looking at it then. Bet they got just lots of calls like mine.

[aruanan]

I think it's something like 98 cents of every dollar donated to the Salvation Army actually goes to the intended beneficiaries.

[SubSailor]

Get the word out! Tell all your Christian friends to fill up the buckets! We need to show the Salvation Army that we support their position and that they won't suffer financially for their correct but politically unpopular stand.

[packrat01]

...City of San Francisco policy that demands groups doing business with it have a domestic partner benefits program.

Simple solution. Don't do business with the City of San Francisco.

bump

[Gopher Broke]

Send a note to the Commander of the Salvation Army, John Busby, THANKING him for reversing this immoral position:

SA_Information@usn.salvationarmy.org

[truthandlife]

Praise the Lord! After they made the former decision I was saying that there was not one charity (except for the Church) that is worthy of my money.

[SubSailor]

Could somebody put this on the Christian bump list? I don't know how to do it. Thanks.

[FourPeas]

I've always respected the Salvation Army. When my dad was a firefighter, they were the one organization that was always there to help. Praise God for their faithfulness!

[Clifdo]

You are right! They have the smallest overhead of any charity.

[CIBvet]

Thanks for the 'Good News' thread, and the hot link.