KEEPING THE KETTLES POLISHED

I really think The Salvation Army is getting undeserved bad press here. I am a very obvious transsexual woman. I live in a redneck backwater where everyone knows me and knows exactly who and what I am. Though I consider myself agnostic, have never been active in any church, 70 years ago my grandparents were the national Commanding Officers of The Salvation Army in America. Both are gone, but they left me with the one thought that they lived their lives by: Love One Another.

The discussion here advocating boycotting of the Christmas kettles has been most disturbing. The Salvation Army described in so many posts is not The Salvation Army I have known and loved. I arranged a meeting with our local Commanding Officer to discuss my concerns. I wanted to know the official policy. She provided me the current policy statements.

For those of you who do not know, The Salvation Army is indeed an evangelical Christian church with the mission of saving souls. Taking the position that it was easier to save a soul that was not worried about eating, the Army adopted as its mission what is now one of the largest private charitable organizations in the world. But the church and charity are two separate functions. While the church operates the charity, involvement with the church is not requisite. The church has funding sources separate from the kettles. The kettles support only the charity.

As a church, as many churches do, the organizations policy is that “Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex”, therefore "Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. There is no scriptural support for same-sex unions as equal to or as an alternative to heterosexual marriage. Likewise there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation. The Salvation Army opposes any such abuse. In keeping with these convictions, the services of the Salvation Army are available to all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation. The Fellowship of Salvation Army worship is open to all sincere seekers of faith in Christ, and membership in The Salvation Army church body is open to all who confess Christ as Savior and who accept and abide by The Salvation Army's doctrine and discipline."

Now please note that as a church, The Salvation Army does not condemn homosexuality, it recognizes and accepts as a reality, but it's literal reading of the Scripture forbids homosexual sex.

With regards to human equality, The Salvation Army's position is: "As an international branch of the Christian church, The Salvation Army has been concerned from its inception with the spiritual and social needs of all people, recognizing that all bear the divine image and are equal in intrinsic value. "God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female" (Genesis 1:27) "From one person God made all nations who live on earth"(Acts 17:26).

"The Salvation Army affirms its full support on all levels, to the biblical and Christian imperatives of human and civil rights. We oppose unlawful, unjust, or immoral discrimination and seek to promote sensitivity, understanding, and communication. Christ-like attitudes compel and empower the building of strong cross-cultural relationships. Shared values and common goals shape and positively influence the broad culture of Salvation Army ministries. Diversity strengthens those ministries. Christ brings unity within diversity.”(From my perspective, I wish that all churches were as supportive!)

"All Salvation Army social welfare services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis: such services shall be equally available to all persons on the basis of need and capacity to benefit from the service."

"All Salvation Army positions of full-time service, lay leadership, employment, and volunteer service are open to qualified persons, with exceptions dictated only by the religious purposes and moral positions of The Salvation Army." Please note that one of those conditions is that practicing homosexuals may not be officers. Officers in The Salvation Army are ordained ministers. So practicing homosexuals cannot be ordained in the church that is The Salvation Army. Celibate homosexuals can. The restriction is not homosexuality, but homosexual acts.

Having said all of this, the local commander advised that if one feels that they are being denied appropriate social services they should file a a complaint with the regional command, the national command, and/or if necessary, international command in London, England. All are easily accessible through the Internet.

As is the case with so many, unfortunately a few bigots in the organization are getting a good organization painted with a bad brush. The Army's policy is to help all in need. As a religion, yes, they do advocate celibacy in a homosexual relationship, but they also have a very strong human rights equality statement condemning violence, marginalization and disenfranchisement and promoting love. As a church, homosexuals are not to be Officers, aka ordained as ministers, but all are welcome and invited to join in worship. As a social service agency their help is available and freely provided to anyone in need who can benefit from their assistance. If anyone in need encounters less they should file a complaint with the regional command.

In my personal experience in disaster management, I have repeatedly seen The Salvation Army freely give in times of disaster, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and counsel the grief-stricken without so much as advertising their presence, let alone asking for a donation. Many soup kitchens and other services are wrongfully credited to the Red Cross when actually provided by the Salvation Army - think about that when you hear the Red Cross or United Way soliciting your donations. I have been in the cafeteria's when an officer has asked for a moment of silence as he led a prayer of grace, but I have never heard proselytizing or preaching there. If that's what you want, they'll be happy to have you to their prayer service.

If you are concerned about where your red kettle donation goes, it goes directly to social services - the food, the blankets, the clothes and the housing, with the lowest overhead expense of any major charitable organization, and with no questions asked. I now work for an agency that uses HUD funds to provide emergency shelter. When we get one that we cannot help either because we are full, or they are somehow ineligible, or beyond our scope, the first call is to the Salvation Army. Day or night, 24/7, I have never heard them say no. They always find a way to rent them a room in the hotel, or put them on a bus, fill their gas tank or feed them, or all of those things if that is the need. Come watch the Christmas gift program that provides the only Christmas gifts some children will ever get, in addition to the food to feed the family, and even a Christmas tree, never with a question as to anything other than need and probability to benefit. That is where your kettle donation goes, please don't jeopardize the good they do by confusing religious conviction with bigotry. The Army may not agree with your lifestyle, but accepts and appreciates you as a person of value, and agrees to disagree. They don't condone us, but they certainly do not condemn us! Personally, I don’t know any agency, public or private that has done so much for so many.

They are out there every day, 24/7 doing what they do, in a spirit of Christian love. Except for the bell ringers this time of year have you ever heard a plea for donations? Have you ever heard one of the bell ringers say more than "hello" and open a door for you whether you gave or not? Have you heard them say more than thank you or Merry Christmas when you did make a donation? No. That is the way they do business, with love and genuine smile, and never a big sign proclaiming their greatness.

For the one who said bell ringers get paid, understand that many of the "volunteers" are in dire need of income. The Salvation Army does "pay" it's bell ringers and other "workers" so that they might have the benefit of the satisfaction of work rather than being dependent on welfare or charity, and the benefit of insurance for both the individual and the property owner where they are posted - most businesses require the insurance before they will allow placement of a kettle. Insurance companies only insure employees. Most "volunteers" never pick up their "pay", or they just put the money in the kettle. That is their choice.

I am sorry if you find the ringing bell a dunning. Traditionally bells are symbolic of the harmony existing in the society. Their pitch and rhythm indicate joy, warning, or sorrow so that the community might rejoice with the joyful, and mourn with the sorrowful. Bells act as a medium between heaven and earth, bells and especially their clappers, represent communication and suspension between humans and God. The sound of bells announces the birth of Christ on earth. And so they are used to remind us of Christ Commandment to “Love on another”.

Please support your Salvation Army charity. Your donation goes directly to the neediest in your community. It doesn't go for fancy buildings, advertising, or officers salaries, and it does not support the church. Give what you can, there are many in need this year. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:39-4)

Oh yes, like so many large organization, The Salvation Army is somewhat lumbering and slow to respond to changing social norms. My grandmother religiously wore the old fashioned bonnet, full coverage blouse and floor length skirts until the “new” uniform was introduced in the late 1960s. As with so many organizations, their policy toward alternative lifestyles is under review.  I would not expect them to lead the movement to full acceptance, but I would expect their modernization much faster than other “Christian” organisations.

Stacey B. Gray