Posted on 04/26/2002 9:05:05 PM PDT by chance33_98
The Salvation Army's refusal to comply with Portland's domestic partnership ordinance could jeopardize the only activity center and meals-on-wheels program that serves the city's elderly.
The organization received $60,000 a year from the city to operate its $400,000 meals program and the center for seniors.
But under the year-old ordinance, organizations that get federal funding through the city must provide health and employment benefits to domestic partners of employees.
Salvation Army officials have refused to comply with the ordinance, even if it means losing the money and having to scale back or close the senior programs.
The Bible-based, Christian organization, which believes that Scripture forbids sexual relations between members of the same sex, has asked the city for an exemption.
The issue surfaced in Portland four months after the Salvation Army took a stand against a similar domestic partnership law in San Francisco.
When the Portland City Council approved its ordinance last May, it voted 6-3 to reject an amendment that would have exempted religious organizations from compliance.
Councilor Philip ''Jack'' Dawson hopes to find a way to let the Salvation Army off the hook. He emphasizes the good the organization does by delivering meals to elderly shut-ins and providing a place for other seniors to participate in various activities.
''There's got to be a way to continue having them do what they have done so well for so long,'' Dawson said. ''Hopefully, we can do that without getting into their conscience or religious beliefs.''
Among those who question the Salvation Army's refusal to provide domestic partnership benefits is Mayor Karen Geraghty.
''I think the Salvation Army should be ashamed of itself for trying to decide who should get health care and who shouldn't,'' Geraghty said. ''That decision should cross over every religious line.''
The city is reviewing the ordinance at the request of the eastern territorial leadership of the Salvation Army, which is headquartered in New York. Local Salvation Army officials sought guidance from the territorial headquarters before signing this year's contract to receive $60,000 from the city.
The city provides domestic partner benefits to its employees and the Salvation Army's contract with the city stipulates that it must follow all ordinances related to human rights.
The Salvation Army has proved it is more than willing to help. It's the liberals who are stopping them. The liberals aren't willing to allow their Constitutional right to freedom of Religion.
Sorry, poor elderly, the liberals won't let them do it anymore unless they bow down to Satan. Sorry.
The liberals have decided who will get help, and who will not.
They have a mature conscience!
PC vs religion, I pray that religion wins. The Salvation Army does good things, they should not be forced to feed the immorals. Everyone scream for the falacy of seperation of Church and State (which is a farce), but they don't scream it here where it the same issue.
I think the city of Portland should be ashamed for promoting homosexuality.
Should they be ashamed, Ms Mayor? Or should the city be ashamed for pushing an agenda that runs counter to the SA's sensibilities and beliefs? The SA does so much good for the city's elderly but that doesn't count much since there is an agenda at stake, right Ms. Mayor?
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site
However, he had a lot of time for the Salvation Army.
Ignorance aside, Salvation Army BUMP.
There ... that makes more sense than the original statement.
I hope the federal government eliminates every penny of funding to Salvation Army. (And to every other charitable endeavor.)
As far as the Salvation Army standing on its principles...well, I don't really care.
Mark (Libertarian)
Of course, this is an outright lie from the homo mayor.
Why should they be receiving tax money, anyway? Weren't they supposed to be doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, as service to the Lord?
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