'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
Oh yes of course. Don't focus on the millions of people the organization helps, focus on your own narrow viewpoint.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Goth, do you disagree with what the SA is being accused of? These are the ugly facts. I'll be the first to admit they do some very good work but they also practice hate and discrimination. The Trevor Project and Doctors without Borders are the two I'm donating to this year.
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
By all means, goth, pretend that this organization is the single entity worthy of getting my money--unlike the THOUSANDS who don't include hate as part of their profile, who are more focused on HELPING people than worrying about whom I go to bed with.
There was a website I remember a few years ago that mailed out little cards to put in the SA buckets that said something like "this could have been a donation if..." Does anyone remember these or know if they're still available anywhere?
Does the Salvation Army stand at the door of their soup kitchens and say "We don't feed you because your gay?" If they did that, then I would take this more seriously.
Many of you actively practice hate, the very thing you're accusing the Salvation Army of doing.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Goth, apparently you agree with the SA's anti gay policy. You have not addressed this in any of your posts.How are we practicing hate? All we are doing is encouraging people NOT to donate to them. Is that hate?
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
I don't know how much of the money donated to the Salvation Army goes to donations, and how much goes to administration, but that part that goes to administration is furthering their existence, and supporting them as an entity. I choose not to do that. I'd rather support entities that share my vision of social justice.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
romantico, let me explain this one more time. Many people like you still don't seem to get it.
The Constitution (before liberals and Obama shred it) guarantees freedom of religion. That means that people have the right to practice their religion as they see fit. It's one of the things that makes America unique.
People like you continue to try and chip away at those guaranteed freedoms. You will only end up hurting yourself because when freedom starts to go, yours will go with it.
Do you have specific evidence of The Salvation Army murdering gays or treating them in some other criminal way? Stating one's belief system is still accepted in this country, despite the fact that people like you want to end that freedom.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Wait, so choosing not to donate my own money is somehow a violation of the First Amendment? The First Amendment does not guarantee freedom of religion - it prohibits the government from getting in the middle of religion. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
No one is saying that the SA cannot exist, all people are saying is that they do not want to financially support it because part of its view of homosexuality.
Why is Romantico's expression of his opinion in any way less valid that SA's right to have bigoted views? The answer is that it is not.
Stating one's beliefs is accepted and practiced, yes. But we also have the option not to donate to those entities that go against ours. At my former job, I could not give blood just because I was gay. Even if I brought in proof that my blood was fine. The only thing gay people were allowed to do was help out the people drawing the blood. We wanted to donate blood, not hand out the gifts to the donors.
YWIW, as usual you are not paying attention and just going all over the place in debate.
Romantico posted:
"Goth, apparently you agree with the SA's anti gay policy."
My response was to that statement.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
I had to go back and re-read through this old thread.
Goth asks how they're doing harm. My old statement concerned the involvement right after 9/11, when they were presented to the American public as the primary source for donations and relief for survivors - sanctioned as such by the media. But when surviving gay persons went to them for help - as the 'advertised' primary source for relief - they were turned away. That is a different kettle of fish, in my book.
I don't go out of my way to harrass these people, and I certainly don't wish that those that end up getting help should have that stop. But they won't be getting any of my money.
Yes Goth they CAN be anti-gay. And I can say I'll give my money elsewhere and urge my friends to do the same.
One can't help but wonder if you'd be so sanguine if they were antisemitic, preaching that Jews must be converted and practicing Judaism will condemn you to hell.
"People like you continue to try and chip away at those guaranteed freedoms. You will only end up hurting yourself because when freedom starts to go, yours will go with it."
WHAT? How exactly is voicing an OPINION that people shouldn't donate to the Salvation Army because of their homophobic policies...chipping away at guaranteed freedoms? That's simply BS, Goth and you know it. No one is saying that they can't practice their religion in any way they choose. No one is calling for them to be eliminated. People are simply making the point that the organization is homophobic...and that there are other organizations that do equally good works that are not. Boo-****ing-hoo...the Salvation Army is not above criticism...no matter how good some of their works may be.
It seems that it's okay with you that the Salvation Army has these polices...but not okay that someone speaks out against them? Double Standard much?
"Just a Guy. Your feelings are touching. I am gladdened by the thought that you will one day wind up 6 feet under as we all do." - MrRoxy ------
"I do not suggest you walk out the door onto a New York street with your vulnerable child part exposed and not protected..." - Jason Bennett
Goth,The constitution was shredded long before Obama got into Office. Bush/Cheney took care of that!
I do not disagree about freedom of religion.I am not chipping away at anything.I respect the right to practice religion. Using religion as a way to justify discrimination is what I have a problem with.
The SA can say ,'Hey, it's the bible not us! We' are just going by the bible and it says awful things about you gays so we are making the rules based on our religious book and what it says!'
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
Funny Goth, I was responding to this statement you made:
"The Constitution (before liberals and Obama shred it) guarantees freedom of religion. That means that people have the right to practice their religion as they see fit. It's one of the things that makes America unique.
People like you continue to try and chip away at those guaranteed freedoms. You will only end up hurting yourself because when freedom starts to go, yours will go with it."
Which somehow implies that by Romantico exercising his first amendment rights, he somehow denies someone else.
I am sorry if responding to a specific statement you made is too much for you to handle.