According to the Pacific Justice Institute, LGBT activists want people to avoid giving to the Salvation Army this year because it holds views they claim are bigoted.
“We are urging a boycott of the Salvation Army because it uses its selective interpretation of the Bible to promote discrimination against LGBT people in employment benefits and leadership positions within the Army,” says Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network.
Bill Browning, editor-in-chief of the LGBT blog known as The Bilerico Project, also joined in the fray by posting a blog entitled, "Why You Shouldn't Donate to the Salvation Army Bell-Ringers."
"As the holidays approach, the Salvation Army bell ringers are out in front of stores dunning shoppers for donations," he writes. "If you care about gay rights, you’ll skip their bucket in favor of a charity that doesn’t actively discriminate against the LGBT community. The Salvation Army has a history of active discrimination against gays and lesbians.”
Maj. George Hood, national community relations secretary for the Salvation Army, addressed the LGBT groups’ accusations of discrimination and said the disagreement between the Salvation Army and gay activist groups all comes down to theology.
“The Salvation Army and the gay community are never going to come to an agreement on the topic,” Hood told The Christian Post.
He went on to say that the Salvation Army will not change its beliefs about theological issues any more than gay groups would change their views.
He also does not expect this year's boycott to be any more effective than boycotts the LGBT community have tried against their Christmas kettle drive in the past. For instance, the past few years have been record breaking for the organization. Last year, they raised $142 million, which “was a 5 percent increase over the previous year.”
But in the end, it’s the people who are served by the Army who would be hurt by such a boycott, including many from the homosexual community.
“If people refuse to give, it’s the poor and people in need that will suffer,” Hood says.
Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, said the boycott is yet another example of political correctness punishing those who seek to share God’s unconditional love with the hurting.
“It’s a sad day in America when gay rights become more important than giving to the needy,” he said. “Here’s a better idea: the next time you pass a Salvation Army bell-ringer, why not thank the volunteer and put a little extra in the kettle to make up for the LGBT grinches who will not be giving this year.”
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com
