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?
It is true that the Bible does not regard either Baptism or the Lord's Supper as a means of saving grace, but the Salvation Army has gone further that what the Scripture allows here by dropping the practices altogether. Both baptism and the Lord's Supper are given to the apostles as things they should do. There is always a risk that the ceremony will become more important than the substance, but that does not relieve us of our obligation to do them, as most Christian denominations do recognize. So while I would take nothing away from their charitable activity, I don't think SA is in full submission to Scripture on this issue.
For the interested, one of their churches discusses the their position on the sacraments/ordinances here:
And for the record, their statement on abortion is weak. It is inconsistent because it acknowledges the sacredness of human life on one hand but then allows the destruction of that life without due process under adverse conditions such as rape. That is murder, plain and simple. I know it's hard to be marginalized by the world system. There's a lot to lose. But consistency in one's walk of faith before the Lord is worth any price we might pay in the short term.
Their full position statement is here:
http://www1.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_ihq_isjc.nsf/vw-sublinks/FE3C992C78838853802577DF0071D796?openDocument
Peace,
SR
Repeat a false statement enough and FRoman Catholics will believe it!
To be clear, I support the Salvation Army because of their commitment and service to my local community. Religion has absolutely nothing to do with my support.
How disgusting...’Don’t give to poor, needy people at Christmas time’ in the name of Jesus...What a message...Who’s the unGodly moron that made this appeal???
That's lousy...
According to the groups that rate charities it’s not bad. 3 out of 4
Regardless it’s a far cry from what the poster I was replying to said.
Who gives a rip how long it's been around? (besides Catholics who seem to think it means something or proves something)
Longevity proves nothing.
The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus himself.
Not found anywhere in Scripture. Show us where Jesus named the Catholic church by name and said that He was founding it.
His comment was that He was BUILDING His church. He is the foundation, the chief cornerstone.
It is the CHRISTIAN church which was founded by Jesus Himself, and it is composed of all those who trust in Him for salvation.
I don’t have a problem with SA not baptizing or serving communion.
I always saw their work as a ministry, meeting short term, immediate needs, without obligation on the part of the recipient, and I believe that they encourage people to get connected with a local congregation somewhere.
We have enough churches and I think it’s better for them to remain unaffiliated and avoid the mess that can result.
That's not biblical, so, your Catholic religion made it up...
You can not earn nor even merit grace for any thing you do...Following Catholic sacraments will get no one any grace...It's a fallacy...
Our local Salvation Army collects turkeys to distribute to families on Christmas. How does that have anything to do with contraception or abortion? I've sent men just out of prison to their storefront for a warm coat.
That red kettle just bugs people because it's money. Very telling where priorities are.
Remove me from your ping list.
Their problem, besides believing that it does, is that they also believe that the grace runs out and needs to be replenished constantly. Hence the need for always having to take communion on a regular basis.
Fortunately, Scripture tells the believer that God has LAVISHED His grace on us, not doled it out in stingy little parcels.
Ephesians 1:7-10 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
I didn’t realize that they were considered a church.
I thought it was more a charitable, non-denom organization.
If you support the Salvation Army, try to drop a token coin into every bucket that you see.
While the money adds up, by sharing it among all the buckets you are helping the morale of each of the individuals who are doing this difficult task, every person that nods and drops a coin, helps the bell ringer get past all the averted eyes and complaints that might make them wonder if they couldn’t be doing something else that day.
It is positive reinforcement for the poor slug doing the hard work and standing on concrete, in front of the public.
What, the Wounded warrior project? 97 cents of every dollar doesn’t go to the warriors? I didn’t know that. That sickens me.
I would say they are positive reinforcement for this poor slug who dreads shopping! The fella ringing the bell last week in front of our Hobby Lobby was terrific! He was chipper and was opening the door for customers--his attitude sure improved mine! The Salvation Army collected a little money from me but I collected a smile and an attitude adjustment. I just love the jingling bell and happy face greeting me.
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