Posted on 11/29/2021 1:18:44 PM PST by Wilderness Conservative
The Salvation Army has withdrawn its controversial "Let's Talk About ... Racism" guide following criticism and donor backlash over the text that asked white supporters of the charity group to deliver "sincere" apologies for their race and the past sins of the Church.
As a result of some of the guide's more extreme positions becoming public, donors and supporters across the country have been rescinding their support of the organization.
In a statement titled "The Salvation Army's Response to False Claims on the Topic of Racism," the 156-year-old organization denies that the purpose of the guide or subsequent discussions revolving around the guide were meant to tell anyone "how to think." However, the group has also opted to withdraw the guide for "appropriate review."
The group is perhaps best known for collecting coins and paper money in red kettles outside of stores during the Christmas holiday season with a member ringing a bell.
The statement, in part, also reads: "The Salvation Army occasionally publishes internal study guides on various complex topics to help foster positive conversations and grace-filled reflection among Salvationists. By openly discussing these issues, we always hope to encourage the development of a more thoughtful organization that is better positioned to support those in need. But no one is being told how to think. Period."
A few paragraphs later, it continues: "We have done our best to provide accurate information, but unfortunately, some have chosen to ignore those efforts. At the same time, International Headquarters realized that certain aspects of the guide may need to be clarified.
"Consequently, for both reasons, the International Social Justice Commission has now withdrawn the guide for appropriate review."
Too late, the damage is done.
Yeah, it’s too late to come back from this. The Rubicon, once crossed, is crossed.
I’m not in a forgiving mood.
Too little, too late.
What were they thinking?
It was not for donors. It was just for Salvation Army members.
I passed by the kettle on Saturday. I did NOT put any money in because of this.
drop a note in red kettle
go woke go broke
They’re dead to me.
God bless you.
Another woke idiot with a grievance major from some college tanks another business.
This was stupid in the extreme, but that is the world we live in today.
The Salvation Army’s Response to False Claims on the Topic of Racism-Nov 25, 2021
The holidays are a welcome reminder of the things we are grateful for—and for the power of service on behalf of those who are less fortunate. The Salvation Army mission statement clearly outlines the nature of our service: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The beliefs that motivate our service are based solely on the Bible, and that will never change.
But although we remain committed to serving everyone in need—regardless of their beliefs, backgrounds, or lifestyle—some individuals and groups have recently attempted to mislabel our organization to serve their own agendas.
They have claimed that we believe our donors should apologize for their skin color, that The Salvation Army believes America is an inherently racist society, and that we have abandoned our Christian faith for one ideology or another.
Those claims are simply false, and they distort the very goal of our work.
The truth is that The Salvation Army believes that racism is fundamentally incompatible with Christianity, and that we are called by God to work toward a world where all people are loved, accepted, and valued. Our positional statement on racism makes this clear. These beliefs and goals are critically important because we know that racism exists, and we are determined to do everything the Bible asks of us to overcome it.
The Salvation Army occasionally publishes internal study guides on various complex topics to help foster positive conversations and grace-filled reflection among Salvationists. By openly discussing these issues, we always hope to encourage the development of a more thoughtful organization that is better positioned to support those in need. But no one is being told how to think. Period.
In this case, the guide “Let’s Talk About Racism,” was issued as a voluntary resource, but it has since become a focus of controversy. We have done our best to provide accurate information, but unfortunately, some have chosen to ignore those efforts. At the same time, International Headquarters realized that certain aspects of the guide may need to be clarified.
Consequently, for both reasons, the International Social Justice Commission has now withdrawn the guide for appropriate review.
We at The Salvation Army remain undeterred in our mission because we are confident in the power of the gospel, and because millions of vulnerable Americans need our help. And we remain deeply grateful for the support of a generous public—people from all walks of life and from all parts of the country—who help us meet human need wherever it exists. Our supporters know that ours is a message of love, even for those who disagree or attack us. That is the model set by Christ, and we strive to follow it every day.
May God bless you, and Merry Christmas.
Doesn’t matter. Go woke, go broke.
Yep. Damage is already done. The only way I would ever donate my time or money to them again is if they fully acknowledge what they did.
Insult the integrity of people you want to get money from.
One of the stupidest PR moves that will go down in history.
Wrong on the SA. There’s leftists somewhere high up in the process who knew exactly what they were doing with this manure. Their only regret was that they were caught.
“Too late, the damage is done.”
I’m waiting for everyone involved in producing or approving that document to be fired.
Thank you - now preach the gospel again.
Makes no difference. The SA is screwed.
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