The left hates The Salvation Army. That’s all you need to know about the left.
By: Dennis Prager
The lefts hatred of the Salvation Army is vile and irrational. The Salvation Army is right to insist that a legitimate marriage is between one man and one woman and all else is a sham. The Salvation Army provides much needed assistance to many people around the world.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
We all know some individuals who are so obviously good and kind that we are certain if anyone were to dislike them, that’s all we would need to know about the person. We would immediately assume he or she is a bad person. To hate the manifestly good is a sure sign of being bad.
Such is the case regarding the left’s hatred of The Salvation Army. You don’t have to be a Christian — I am not — to appreciate the goodness of the people who run and work for The Salvation Army. They devote their lives to helping the poorest, the saddest, the loneliest and the most troubled among us — completely irrespective of race, gender, transgender identity, faith or no faith. And they do it for almost no money. They do it because of their Christian faith.
They provide these downtrodden people with not only food and shelter but also human warmth and love. And they offer the people they care for the one thing most likely to get them out of their predicament: meaning. They offer it; they do not coerce it. And while the vehicle for this meaning — Christian faith — may not be your faith or mine, so what? It takes a truly narrow-minded bigot to want to deprive people of meaning just because that meaning is rooted in faith or in a faith other than their own.
Yet, leftists — most especially LGBTQ groups, which spread a remarkable amount of hate in the name of “love” — seek to crush The Salvation Army. They threaten and pressure whoever supports The Salvation Army. “British pop singer Ellie Goulding,” the Wall Street Journal recently reported, “threatened to cancel an appearance at the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving halftime show, which will celebrate the army’s red-kettle campaign, unless it made a ‘pledge or donation to the LGBTQ community.’ She backed down after the Salvation Army assured her it serves needy members of that community.”
Most depressing of all, Chick-fil-A, a business owned by a Christian and heretofore run according to Christian principles, caved in to LGBTQ organizations’ pressure and stopped funding The Salvation Army, while it has also donated to a left-wing group that hates the good, the Southern Poverty Law Center.
I never thought I’d see the day when The Salvation Army would be hated by a substantial number of Americans or lose the support of a Christian-run business.
But given the left’s loathing of virtually all things good — such as America, Israel, traditional Christianity and Judaism, the Boy Scouts, the nuclear family ideal, Thanksgiving and America’s founders — it is not surprising.
As I have said for years, the left destroys everything it touches: music, art, Christianity, Judaism, economies, universities, high schools, late-night comedy, pro football, women’s likelihood of finding happiness, men’s likelihood of maturing, the Boy Scouts and the innocence of children (think “Drag Queen Story Hour” for 5-year-olds at libraries), to cite some of the more obvious examples.
And while it destroys good institutions, the left never builds a viable replacement. Is there a left-wing equivalent to the Boy Scouts, a left-wing institution that helps mold boys into responsible men? Of course not. The left destroys, but it builds nothing — except state power. Or, to take the present example, is there a left-wing equivalent to The Salvation Army? No, there isn’t.
“We believe we are the largest provider of poverty relief to the LGBTQ+ population,” The Salvation Army said in a statement after Chick-fil-A announced its decision. As the Wall Street Journal concluded, “Considering it serves nearly 25 million people every year, that’s likely true.”
But all the good The Salvation Army does means nothing to the left. The left judges people or institutions not by their behavior but by their beliefs. And The Salvation Army believes — as has every civilization in recorded history, and as former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton did until a few years ago — that marriage should be defined as the union of a man and a woman. To the left, that belief outweighs helping 25 million people including married gays.
One of the great puzzles in contemporary American life is whether there is anything the left could do to make Americans understand how destructive it is. If suppressing free speech at colleges and on the internet, fomenting interracial anger, supporting those who wish to annihilate Israel, allowing (and even encouraging) teenage girls to have their healthy breasts surgically removed if they think they are a boy and trying to crush The Salvation Army don’t do it, probably nothing will.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in May 2019, is “The Rational Bible,” a commentary on the book of Genesis. His film, “No Safe Spaces,” comes to theaters fall 2019. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .
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Our SA here is totally supported by the communities and the cities they assist.
This independent liberal spent years as a bell ringer. This is just more Heartland Institute propaganda.
They are not recognized or credited as a valid scientific institute.
Can't even get the math right.
Not a personal attack and you're still wrong with that statement, typo or not.
The Heartland Institute is nothing but a far right wing propaganda machine.
Still an erroneous statement.
You know know all that because they tell that to you. You also believe Trump
One of my dearest friends was brought up in the Church of the Salvation Army. And first let's establish, that it is a particular protestant faith that started in England, which is where his family is from.
When he became a young man, he decided to come out of the closet so to speak, but never to his family, since he thought they would disown him, because that is what they are supposed to do. It took him till his 50th birthday to tell his parents.
His mom thought long and hard on this and said she didn't believe that god made mistakes and that he was too good a person ( he is ) to be a mistake. His father accepted him but never spoke of it.
My friend is still a Christian but is a member of a more accepting church. The one thing he will never do is give to the Salvation Army since he told me something that most people don't know. Their job is not strictly charitable, but to convert, too. He still gives to charity, but not that one.
Want to help people? Give to "Doctors without Borders" or "St. Judes", where no one is turned away.
Used to be a paramedic and am seriously considering doctors without borders. Hell, I'm in my 60's. Who else is going to hire me?
My daughter has done it for years and says it is an amazing experience. And yes, they will take you in a heartbeat.
One of my nieces was in the peace corp. in Africa. She wanted to go back but now has 2 toddlers to deal with. Funny how life makes our choices for us.
It is so tiresome to see these woe-is -me articles about "Christians" every day. 75% of the country is still Christian, churches are thriving , and enjoy free speech and tax exemptions.
The ones that are crying every day are the "Christians" who want Christianity to run this country, and that will never happen. We dont have a theocracy.
It is a drag to see this baloney on this forum every day though.
I had to Google that because I couldn't believe it.
I stopped going to church in high school when I made it known to my parents who I never saw go to church that I was a non-believer. I don't think I know anyone who goes to church.
From The Pew:
I guess I was slightly high. The % has been falling in the last couple decades and I just took my best guess. In 1990 Christians were 85%
I'm sure there are quite a few Christians who dont go to church regularly. If you believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ you are a Christian whether you go to church or not.
I once had a survey call me up and ask me what my religious affiliation was and when I said none the persisted. They said, we're not asking if you go to church..what is your religion?...
So I kind of think the numbers are a little inflated. There's a bit of lag with regard to people who have stopped being religious but are still being counted as members of their former religion.
When I just Googled it I found 74%.
I have considered going back to Church in order to engage my community. I was raised Catholic but if I went back it would be as a protestant most likely because that is the active church in my neighborhood.
As for the metaphysics and theology of it all I think I can come up with something that maps the holy trilogy onto what science tells me is true.
I'd be all about the compassion and the works.
But I am just not quite there.
You might find Dr. Hugh Ross to be quite interesting.
Just Googled him.
I don't think evolution vs. intelligent design is where I will get hung up in reconciling faith and reason.
But thanks for making me aware of him.
Dr. Ross has a very interesting correlation of Genesis with Big Bang cosmology.
Yeah, I saw that in Wikipedia.
I'm a little more worried about JC rising from the dead, etc.
It's where the challenge of reconciling reason and faith comes into play.
John and Gulliver, I am as faithful in Jesus Christ as "all git up" and the last time I attended a physical church service was in the 1990's. That being made clear, I have dedicated my life daily since 1993 to my faith, its system of belief, and study and devotion. There is even an orthodox church which believes the church era has ended already, and they live collective lives of service to the faith apart from gathering in large structures—I am not a member, nevertheless.
This is a tad different than you, because you clarify your position as non-believing.
See? There is meaning breathed into the breadth of these ancient writings.
You can't un-see being raised as a Christian.
8 years of Catholic school and religion class leaves a permanent mark.
Only 8?
lol, try 16
In HS I became an agnostic and then an atheist.
I found it striking how many people thought it was rude to declare that you were an atheist like you were expected to say you were an agnostic so you didn't hurt any feelings.
Not that I actually went around declaring anything at all, but by the time I was a Senior in HS I could no longer justify saying that I had doubts about whether there was a God or not. If people asked, they got an honest answer.
Today, I am just struck by how it makes no sense for there to be anything at all including us asking why the hell are we even here. There should be nothing at all. No time. No space. No energy. No big bang. No conscious thoughts. Nothing. But here we are.
Most of us on NT go by agnostic atheist (when labels are at play) because it is technically correct and because it distinguishes us from the unsupportable views of the gnostic atheist ('there is no god'):
agnostic atheist = 'not convinced there is a god, but one cannot rule out the possibility'
gnostic atheist = 'there is no god'
I know, the ultimate existential question. But, of course, that applies to a creator too. When religious people answer the question of: 'why is there something rather than nothing?' with: 'because God created something out of nothing' they ignore the fact that 'God' is something. The obvious next question is: 'why is there God rather than nothing?'.
Ultimately, life is too short to dwell on this stuff.
We just have to make the most of this life we have left before us.
Yes but I cannot resist the logical question. If someone believes in a creator because it answers the something vs. nothing question I feel compelled to give them a hint that their logic needs to be revisited.
Okay. (Smile.)
Yes Gulliver, the "Why' is a question. Clearly we have not been provided all the answers to fill in its 'blank.' However, logic surely dictates that nothing can not ever create something. I suggest God or 'Whatever' reserves the answer, for now.
Also, nature and reason clearly demonstrate understanding goes beyond what we can sense: 1) See. 2) Hear. 3) Touch 4. Smell. 5. Taste.
Gravity is experienced (and depended on by all) every day and sensed by no-one.
I was always an atheist even though I spent 12 years of perfect attendance in Sunday school and read the bible twice (mom and dad).
That's called an oxymoron.
Nothing like that if you understand what a political independent is.
A political independent is an individual who does not simply adopt the positions of a particular party. Basically this is an individual who employs critical thinking and comes to their own conclusions. Further, one can be registered for a particular party and still be a political independent. There are R independents, D independents, Green independents, etc.
An independent is the antithesis of group-think — believing something true simply because other humans (who one trusts) claim it is true.
The problem with your argument, and it is a fatal problem, is that you assume that one cannot decide to support a political party and also make an independent decision to do so based on logical, well thought out conclusions.
John if only you would read what I write. Here, read this:
How did you miss this??
John,
To add to what tig said, independents decide issue by issue and these issues can span the political spectrum. When they vote, they vote by who best fits the issues that are important to them.
Now that comment is kind of ignorant. Please define your idea of a political independent.
Tig implies that only independents think critically. And yes, he does say there are Democrat independents and Republican independents, but the fact remains that someone can think critically about issues and still support a party. I will admit that someone who is a "Democrat independent" could reasonably decide to vote for a Republican or two, but they will generally vote for all the Democrats, because they know that the Democrats will push for the policies the person likes.
I wish we had "independent" legislators who vote issue by issue. It used to be like that, there were liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats, but they are an endangered species.
I saw it, I dont believe you need to be an independent of any party or no party in order to think critically about issues.
John, it truly amazes me that you refuse to read (comprehension) what I write. Take this:
Now compare that with what I wrote (third time this is shown to you):
When I write R independents and D independents, ... I am explicitly noting that one can be an R or a D (or ...) and still be a critical thinker — still be a political independent.
Hello?
Fourth time:
I sometimes find myself dependent ,
on independents, but it depends.
I was once drafted by the Salvation Army,
as a fashion model, as that is where i discount shop for my often admired fashion, as i'm a fashion statement, known as a question mark, but with an exclamation point, that i'm rarely capable of making, so i find myself, like everyone else,
pointless. My arrows are bowed, so i tie one on
I agree with this line of sharing. I am a democrat (by choice and not by dictate). I have voted republican in the past and could again in some future all things being equal. However, the LIES, omissions, commissions, and intellectual dishonest are a non-starter for me and contemptible. In fact, since I lack confidence in this president, his republican House and Senate, I am near to invalidating the Republican Party establishment (including on social media) in my view.
I suspect you'll only get silence as a reply Perrie.
I'm sorry this happened to you.
Not a member but do like what they do.
Read here: 3
Well, this is a hard read. Dennis Prager, really? You know it must be nice to be born in a heterosexual body in a heterosexual country in a hetero-centric world. It must be be nice to be the 'apple' of a heterosexual God.
Heartland and Dennis, just so you know it can be a living hell on Earth, with many forms of desperation, self-loathing, confusion, fear, paranoia, and depressions - all which can masquerade as joy; as making the best of a bad situation; as presenting one's body in 'heck of' ways over the course of life; as never quite settling on what's right and what's wrong, as . . . .
To keep reading how you never really belong in the minds of some people. That's damn depressing (one more time).
CB,
There are plenty of churches that will accept you as you are in the place that you are. That is what my friend found out.
Also, Dennis is going against his own faith, by saying what he is saying. This is nothing more than political hackery.
I know, dear Perrie. You know the funniest thing about this (Apostle Paul gets into with this in his writings to the Churches) is spirituality governs the mind, it disciplines, mutes desire, but it does not erase the past, memories, or wholly repeal attraction and need (bonding; attention; affection).
I will confide that I am not suffering from desperation, self-loathing, confusion, fear, paranoia, and depression. However, acceptance is an odd 'bird' too.
I have found that there are some truths to living life with boundaries and balances too. I see new children being birthed from other children I knew growing up all around me. I see these numerous relationships that span a lifetime between husbands and wives. I see healthy family traditions and sometimes participate in them.
Being 'in' and made a part of heterosexual society does not change the fact that one is yet 'out.' As I grow older I am 'startled' that my flesh still would want to be loved. That at times my flesh wants to be altered. That at times, the closeness of a friend can sent false 'signals' that can stir up thoughts and memories. . . but, the signals are not what they appear to be. . . . Because, they really are not attraction at all.
So much to say. . . . And, all of us are what we are. . . .
Let me move on.
There are moments. . . when my friends can see the 'play' in me and they respect me for it it seems. There are moments when the 'play' comes out among strangers and I can actually imagine one of them walking up and striking me (the terror). Again, this is imagining. But, this is is about what I go through to be me, physically 'coupled' with the spiritual. It is not a game. It has it challenges. It has its rewards. All people of faith will tell you so. My challenges are uniquely mine as theirs are unique for them.
Reputation. There is family to know, love, and be a part of. There is 'making your own bed and laying in it.' There is social relationships and connections to hold dear. Then, there is just wanting to let one's hair down and be spiritually-involved free me. But, the relationships will stay, fracture, modify, or break. . . .
Finally, I come across someone who writes like Dennis Prager (he is not a stranger to me from years ago I used to check out his radio show) has above, and he is put in my line of sight "via Heartland American" and I realize that some people are so selfish to think that as relatively good as they have it in a world "made" for heterosexuals dreams, -they can not ever accept that I struggle to have lived young and now am learning what it means to walk in a spiritual way while carrying in myself my physical yearnings that are not 'dead.' Yearnings that really don't want anything much these days with the exception of just being 'remembered' and allowed to come out and play once in a while.
By the way, I can say that I find Pete Buttigieg to be profoundly interesting. He is someone who has grabbed Christianity, politics, same-sex marriage, and the marketplace of ideas and holds and dares to sway a myriad of hearts and minds. Buttigieg is a possible future for this 'thang' we're living through. He is a pioneer.
He is indeed. I like the man, but I don't think that he can win. I think there is too much of this out there, and that people are not quite ready for a gay couple in the White House. But he is a trailblazer and I tip my hat to him.
I agree. And have heard some friends say as much. Mr. Buttigieg has stepped across the threshold of "the Black" that had the audacity to hope and who demonstrated that he and his family could maintain standards in the White House-even in the worse of circumstances, and grace and decency need not depart, nevertheless.
Moreover, Dennis Prager is an 'old' radio head. He is extremely popular on the Christian-Right circuit. The reason I wrote here as I have done is to simply express how complex issues of religion, Bible, and homosexuality are when they intermingle. It is not a simple matter of 'Black and White.' Life happens in these spaces, as it did in the pages of the Bible. Being spiritual people did not make Ancient Israel and it does not make the Church, certainly not the churches, perfected. We 'toil' at life more or less along with everybody else.
I am sorta glad you refreshed my memory of him. I do know this about him, but it has been a while. Mostly what I recall right now is Prager U and his voice. He certainly must be older - no doubt about it.
You are a bit exotic in what you choose to write. Try 'consuming' the whole comment offered once and a while. It can only give more depth, height, width, and breadth. This is about so much more than identifying Dennis Prager to this group.
Yeah Heartland American, I kind of expect you will not engage substantively other's comments by now.
I sincerely do not understand why one would hold true to a faith that deems his/her person to be 'bad' simply due to how one is born. There are plenty of ways to believe in a creator entity that do not require one to hold true to (or even pay any attention to) ancient Hebrew writings.
After all, most Christians have a very limited understanding of their faith. Most (in my experience) abstract the NT (and OT) into a handful of basic principles that all can be summarized as 'God loves you, be a good person and you will be good with God'. It is actually amazing how easy it is to shock lifelong Christians (especially Catholics by the way) with some of the stuff that is attributed to the grandest possible entity (God) due to the ignorance and ancient mores / values of the biblical authors. They were only taught very sanitized stuff and most have never seriously read the Bible.
Bottom line, why hold true to bigotry stemming from ancient times? You can always believe in a benevolent God who created everything and who, one would at least expect, cares for everything and everyone without petty bigotry. That is, logically one would expect God to care for all His creations.
There is, and can only be one God. By definition the GOD is supreme. So if there is a Flying Spaghetti Monster, or Odin, or other gods of antiquity, or the Christian god or the roster of Hindu gods, they all end up in one place, the one and only and Supreme GOD. Religions are cultural expressions of human beings attempts to understand and commune with their creator, and differ because they were formed at different times in different places and by different cultures.
The Bible is interpreted in 2019 by sincere people as a book that represents the beginnings of the Judeo /Judeo Christian faiths, but is brought as best they can into present times.
I dont know why atheists pretty endlessly insist on treating religion as if it is frozen in time thousands of years ago.
Only if you define God to be singular (as you do). Remember, ancient Greek, Romans, Indians, etc. had multiple gods.
Polytheism is not allowed by you?
Quite true. But they are attempts to understand their perceived creator. No evidence that a sentient creator exists. They may all be wrong.
Have you ever investigated Answer In Genesis? They are sincere in their beliefs and are quite willing to distort science in the process.
Why do you think atheists think that way? Is it atheists who claim that the Bible is divine? Do atheists quote scripture and deem it divine truth? The problem of which you speak does not come from atheists John.
I for one advocate breaking free of the Bible (et. al.) and try to understand one's god by understanding that which he ostensibly created.
There can only be one GOD. Anything in multiples is less than the one God. Just like there can only be one HIGHEST point on a mountain.
If you insist. I wonder how you would have fared in ancient Greece (or modern day India).
I'm surprised you think could be more than one GOD. You study the subject so much.
John, there is no evidence that I am aware of that leads one to conclude that there must be a singular god. If you have some, please let us know.
This may be an example of a carefully worded statement so I will have to pay attention to my reply. There are plenty expressions in this life of material acts and actions that humans can perform, and yet are opined upon as not being in the interest of humanity or self. Example: Pedophilia. These people are born this way, but people are uncomfortable with is form of expression.
There was a time in our land when people thought better of this activity. And the persons "born this way" were permitted to do so. However, it is an oddity and a danger in most regions of the United States toda y.
I Corinthians 10:
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
That may be true for you, but not for every one.
Your own Bible lists as one of the commandments: "I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before Me.” ...
How can there be "strange gods" if there is only one?
I hope so; I always try to be clear. But I think you are implying that I am trying to trick you. No, I am expressing a thought with an implied question.
Man's laws vary over time and are not divine. I do not see the relevance of comparing man's laws to God's (ostensibly) laws. Your Corinthians reference at best implies that homosexuality (per the Bible) is not beneficial and not constructive. That position is well known (and specific in other verses) and is the foundation of my question.
Best I can tell, you did not say anything.
( By the way, do you disallow mountains with twin peaks ? )
When discussing fantasy, why put limits on your imagination?
The definition of "GOD" as some want to make would likely preclude any other equal powers. However, that doesn't mean that definition is the correct one. What if (if there is a creator) it is just one of many, the creator of our universe, while there may be a whole race of "GODS" all creating their own universes, one for each of the countless possible multi-verses.
Or perhaps, like some Christians even believe, "GOD" is more than one entity, a "triune" Godhead, father, son and holy spirit. Perhaps other versions of such a being could include thousands of pieces. In Hindu they also have essentially a trinity with Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma forming the Trimurti. But they also have many other Gods who are other faces of the same being, facets of the same divine gem each displaying a different aspect or virtue.
There is as much chance of millions of "GODS" of equal strength exist as there is of one God, or no God. The odds are all identical so really no need to be surprised. Until we have some actual evidence that indicates any creator, it's impossible to have a truly constructive debate about who or what it is or to try and define its abilities/powers. We might as well be debating whether Superman could defeat Galactus in a DC vs Marvel crossover. Saying "There can only be one GOD" is a bit like saying "Superman is dead, they can't bring him back, resurrection is impossible in the DC universe!". The fact is, there are no absolutes when you're using your imagination.
Hi Veronica! I would like to interject here if only because I may not get a chance to come back to it in the case JR does not.
The mention in the Bible about " strange gods " is a reference to idols. False gods that some people make for themselves in place (substitute) of what the Bible refers to as the only God.
This is shared in Isaiah 44:6-48 : I will post a bit here:
Isaiah 44:6-48:11 New Living Translation (NLT)
The Foolishness of Idols
6 This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies:
“I am the First and the Last;
there is no other God.
7 Who is like me?
Let him step forward and prove to you his power.
. . . .
9 How foolish are those who manufacture idols.
These prized objects are really worthless.
The people who worship idols don’t know this,
so they are all put to shame.
10 Who but a fool would make his own god—
an idol that cannot help him one bit?
11 All who worship idols will be disgraced
along with all these craftsmen—mere humans—
who claim they can make a god.
They may all stand together,
but they will stand in terror and shame.
12 The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool,
pounding and shaping it with all his might.
His work makes him hungry and weak.
It makes him thirsty and faint.
13 Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood
and draws a pattern on it.
He works with chisel and plane
and carves it into a human figure.
He gives it human beauty
and puts it in a little shrine.
14 He cuts down cedars;
he selects the cypress and the oak;
he plants the pine in the forest
to be nourished by the rain.
15 Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire.
With it he warms himself and bakes his bread.
Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of it
and makes himself a god to worship!
He makes an idol
and bows down in front of it!
16 He burns part of the tree to roast his meat
and to keep himself warm.
He says, “Ah, that fire feels good.”
17 Then he takes what’s left
and makes his god: a carved idol!
He falls down in front of it,
worshiping and praying to it.
“Rescue me!” he says.
“You are my god!”
. . . .
20 The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes.
He trusts something that can’t help him at all.
Yet he cannot bring himself to ask,
“Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”
Funny thing about the "scripture". It was written by MAN. and as I said to John Russell - that is your belief not every ones. I believe in many gods & goddesses including the one written about in the man made Bible. I just see the entity they worship as the one & only completely different. And I do not mean that in a good way.
No, not trick me. It is a reference to the detail nature of your use of words.
I deliberately tried to make my point by stepping away from the faith, specifically Judaism. Jewish marriages in biblical times could take place at what we would consider minor ages today. If you are aware of this, then we can move on. If not, then we can spend sometime addressing it. It was not a problem for those "God-inspired" periods.
Do consider this, laws are made for people and followed by people. Spirits, it is thought, are not 'bothered' by needs and urges of a sexual nature or interest in reproduction.
So when you write about "how one is born," there are a great many things we are born to do which we do not do. So there are other considerations.
To be clear, this Corinthian reference mentions not homosexuality in its context. I don't recall it as doing so anyway.
As to what is "beneficial" and constructive about homosexuality - or human sexuality or sexual acts in general, well that all depends on a 'battery' of factors—including mind, body, and spirit.
My 'offer' was not a criticism of "many gods." (The strong wording by Isaiah, notwithstanding.) Indeed I knew not of your beliefs to do so. No offense intended. It was simply an aid to enhance and clarify a point (re: "strange gods").
I was raised Catholic - I know all about the wording & how one is supposed to take the word of God as gospel & not question, but question I did & since answers are not a part of organized religion I left & opened my mind to the wonders surrounding us without organized religion. You did not offend me simply because I have learned everyone has their beliefs & it does not matter what you think of me & my beliefs because you don't have to live them.
Laws are made by people.
Okay, I guess. Exchange is the nature of discussion. And I am certain I have not stated one large or small word or opinion about your beliefs today. (Smile.)
all but one of my female friends but she has the best smile
Someone has missed the point entirely.
Ah, but CB you seem to want to inform me of something I am well aware of.
Okay. Now I know this about you on several accounts since you shared it above. (Smile.)
Same here Veronica. In my youth my Maternal Grandmother would take me to church with her every Sunday. She was a member of the RLDS, and expected me to follow through with church attendance when I returned home. When I didn't, she refused to have anything to do with me from then on. She through me away because I would not adhere to her religious beliefs. Yet, she called herself a true Christian.
That was one of the many things that turned me away from organized religion, in addition to other things that I learned and experienced in my life that awoke me to the truth about organized religion, it is not the organized church that destroys people, it is the people themselves by allowing themselves to be controlled by it.
Thus, I turned to the religious beliefs of my Cherokee ancestors and have lived a very happy and harmonious life with Mother Earth and all who share it. To me, that is true happiness, and what I think the Creator really wants of us all.
Well said. I am not patronizing you either. I really mean it. People are messing up religion. And, it will take people laboriously acting to help bring some balance to it.
I was too young to have any knowledge of the Salvation Army or what kind of organization they were, all I saw them as were our saviors. They never once asked about our religious association, if we believed in God, or any religious matters. They just asked us what we needed and did their best to help us. Their commitment to help others in need as best they could was what they focused on.
And that made me think that their hearts really were with the Creator and what He truly wanted of us as human beings. Not someone walking around claiming their piety while holding their hand out for payback when people have nothing to give.
To me, they are the true soldiers of the Creator.
I, too have embraced the religion of my ancestors. I delved deeply into my Celtic heritage and found my way to Wicca and enjoy the fruits and bounty of Mother Earth. I am happier and more at peace than ever before. The guilt and tiring journey of my Catholic days is gone and I find joy in so many more things.
Peace and joy fill you at this time and throughout the new year.
War on charity.
You're kidding, right? I didn't realize they were the only charity out there.
Here let me help you:
This is where my family's charitable trust does its research.
I can't imagine going through life convinced every interaction is some grand political statement.
Give money to help the homeless? You hate gays!
Go to a wedding at a plantation? You love slavery!
Use Apple products? You support child slavery!
Etc etc.
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You are focusing on the wrong things.
I can't imagine going through life not caring about facts.
Fact: The Salvation Army has tried to limit and prohibit gays from their Church activity. They don't in the case of need or aid.
Fact: Why would you want to have a wedding where so many suffered?
Fact: I have never said anything about Apple.
And don't you ever call me a jihadist, because I don't go around murdering innocent people in the name of Allah. I would flag that insult, but I won't waste my time.
Really? What percentage of their budget is dedicated to killing/imprisoning gays? It'a charity so they'd have to disclose that, right?
But I guess I should flag that, to keep the moderation consistent.
Fact: Why would you want to have a wedding where so many suffered?
That's not a fact. About 10 years or so ago, I went to a wedding at a plantation house in McDonough, Georgia, very near the setting of Gone with the Wind. It was a beautiful setting and a great wedding attended by black and white guests. No one, certainly not the black guests, seemed to think their attendance somehow constituted an endorsement of slavery. I guess there weren't enough northern liberals there to tell everyone how to feel.
My guess is that the black slaves, should they be able to look down upon their descendants celebrating a wedding in the Plantation House, would probably be very happy to see their descendants enjoying the beautiful mansion in a way they were denied, and get a kick out of their descendants be waiting upon by some white servers and bartenders. The beautiful house and property didn't enslave anyone, people who've been dead for over 100 years did.
Fact: I have never said anything about Apple.
Probably because you've used an Apple product and don't want to have to avoid using them out of principle. Apple exploits kids and props up totalitarian governments. It does a lot more actual harm to people in the world today than charities and nice houses. Again, if people took this sort of thing seriously and applied it across the board, they could never leave the house or buy anything without "supporting" terrorism, slavery, child labor, environmental destruction etc.etc..
And don't you ever call me a jihadist
I didn't. Look what I wrote again. I used jihad as defined by Merriam Webster as a crusade for a principle or belief to describe the movement that makes these sort of complaints. If jihad is such an offensive word, substitute in crusade. NO fair reading of what I wrote could twist into claiming I said you murder innocent people in the name of Allah.
would flag that insult, but I won't waste my time.
Well yeah, it would be. Calling an action a jihad or crusade is not a personal insult.
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Read up. Long before you responded, I amended my response to be clearer.
Because they would tell the bride and groom how the felt? Along with how the felt about the food, too?
I'm glad you said guess since you have no idea of how they felt. I, on the other hand, have heard blacks say how they feel about these places from them. I don't have to guess, and no, I didn't tell them how to think... they educated me.
OK another insult. Boy, you are on a roll. So basically, you are saying that I have no ethics. Well done! Well, guess what? Deregulation has made it nearly impossible to buy from America. Have you walked through a Macy's lately? There is not one item made in the USA and almost all made in China or Indonesia, never mind electronics. I would if I could. But funny how you backed off of the falsehood of implying that I ever said anything about Apple products to what I was thinking.
And don't play semantics with the word Jihad or Jihadist. You know what it implies. You could have used any other adjective, but you picked one of the most offensive.
And your final comment I will flag, but I will restore the first. Maybe he just couldn't believe you would use that term on me and fully got your intention.
I have begun giving and shopping at our local AMVET store instead of the Salvation Army or the Good Will. I support many charitable organizations, St Judes, World Wildlife Federation, and a few local (The Sisters of Mercy) just to name a few. I have issues with places that put stipulations on their activities or charitable organizations that make their CEOs millionaires. But that is just me.
Disclaimer, there is no attribution to the accuracy of this chart and in spite of the "via Snopes" claim.
here is the closest article on Snopes.
I wonder about the accuracy of the CEO of the Salvation Army, one General Brian Peddle of London UK.
The average SA thrift shop manager makes 50K
The average regional director of Finance makes $115,000 a year.
Peddle is the international leader along with his wife Rosalie (Commissioner Peddle),
Hudson is the USA National Commander
not a lot out there on Hudson..
The SA has an amazing chain of command, all very well compensated, apparently, except for soldiers...
I am very thankful for the Salvation Army, and donate to them as I can, both monetarily and in goods.
My Parents and I were survivors of the 1949 flood when the levee broke. It was one of the worst floods Fort Worth TX has ever had, and many people lost their lives.
I was 4 y/o, we were living a housing community that had been used for housing military officers and they family during WWII. They were pretty much thrown together and could not withstand the onslaught of the huge flood waters that were pouring into the area. Our house was located on the street that was right along the levee, so when it broke, our area was the first to get inundated. As the flood waters rose my Father carried me and my Mother clung tightly to my Fathers belt as he walked toward higher ground.
We first arrived at a two story apartment building and thought we might be safe. But, the flood waters continued to rise, and we went up stairs to the second story. However, as the levee continued to crumble under the heavy flood waters. But, it was not long until the flood waters began to reach the floor of the second story, so they called for a boat to come and take us out.
Once we were able to reach dry land were taken to a shelter. All my Father had on was he slacks. Both my Mother and I were in our pajamas, and no shoes for any of us. We were wrapped in blanks to help keep us warm.
The Red Cross was the first to come around and was SELLING hot coffee and juice. As we had lost everything we had no money. And they never once offered us an clothing.
About an hour later, it was about daybreak and we were traumatized and exhausted. Then the Salvation Army personnel came around an offered food, coffee, tea and juices, for FREE.
They also took us over to an area where all sorts of clothing was laid out for kids, men and women, also for FREE. So my Parents and I were able to find some clothes that kind of fit us in the piles, and some shoes that sort of fit, but much better than being barefoot.
Then we were bused to another building where we could contact our family and waited for my Grandparents to come and get us.
Three days later we were able to go back to our home and it was leaning backwards off its foundation onto the house behind us. It was so very sad to see everything we had covered in mud and stained. All we had was the clothes on our backs thanks to the Salvation Army.
So from that time on I have always been grateful to the Salvation Army for truly caring about the people more than the money, and saved us from having to suffer the humility and embarrassment of having no clothes or shoes because we had no money to buy them from the Red Cross. I have never donated anything to the RC and never will.
Dignity restored. Thank you for sharing this, Raven. Sometimes all these 'surface conflicts' can leave us struggling to look for the true soul of an organization. We can always appreciate honest to goodness kindness and outreach. That is what you strongly felt then and its influence has carried over a lifetime. I value your sharing. Know this from me. With all that is going on in our shared world today, your speaking up for the Salvation Army helps balance our understanding of the organization somewhat.
I am taking all of what has been said in. Also, I thanked Heartland American for a point he made in pointing me, us, in the direction of a link on The Salvation Army website to read about their good works for LGBTQ people. I am sure there is more to this story—in either direction. It does go to illustrate where practical daily life matters people and doctrinal positions can be complex and downright strange at times.
Thank you for your kind words of understanding, CB.
As many here know I am not a Christian, but, I am truly Spiritual. Human kindness and care for others is an important matter for me, much more than their Religious interests. The Salvation Army has always been there for the tragic events around the world and offering help and assistance to those who need it, be it in the way of clothing, food medical care or simply compassion to try to help victims deal with their mental, emotional and physical suffering.
They don't use the donations from others as a means to profit for their organization as the Red Cross does. The Red Cross puts money above all else.
Some times the Salvation Army may not be the first on site at a tragedy, but, they offer the most and don't expect to get payback from those in need, in addition to the free donations their organization enjoys from others who give it to freely help others, and expect it to be used in that way.
For the Salvation Army this has nothing to do with trying to convert others to their own religious beliefs, it is meant to put human being's needs and care first, above and beyond. That is where the true heart of their organization is, and always has been.
Some may differ with me, and that is fine, they may have their own story to tell as I do, but, I do not bring religion into the picture when it comes to helping others in times of need. That is where the heart is. That is all that matters to me.
I humbly thank you for sharing and increasing my understanding of the organization you know. I have been so blessed in my lifetime to not have experienced (to date) catastrophic destruction, even as I hear about it all around me. It is good for me to 'record' the reputation for good that organizations hope 'word of mouth' can bring them. (Smile.)