The Bell Ringers

When I hear the term "bell ringer", the 1st thing that usually pops into my head is Lon Chaney as Quasimodo, in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

We just came back from the grocery store. While there, I made a mental note to look for the Salvation Army bell ringer. For years, I have tried to donate my loose change to them when I go shopping...and regardless of the annual smear campaign against them, will probably continue to do so. Why? Because I believe in most of what they do.

Sure, it seems that every year around this time, we all see some online article or blog about how these despicable Christians and their bell-ringing minions refuse to help homosexuals. Just last night, I read one of these articles (from The Gay Voice News). The article stated that the Salvation Army wants homosexuals put to death. In short, that's a load of crap.

According to the Salvation Army's own website, their stance on the subject is this:

Q: Does The Salvation Army discriminate in its delivery of services against those of a particular race or sexual orientation?

A: We strive to meet the needs of vulnerable groups and those overlooked or ignored in our communities. We make no distinction based on ethnicity or sexual orientation.

OK, so maybe some of you can't believe that, coming from the proverbial horse's mouth. Would you listen to Dan Savage, of Savage Love fame? How about The Advocate?

Dan Savage quoted Lt. Colonel David Hudson, chief secretary of Salvation Army's USA Western Territory, in regard to the allegations of discrimination. He answered,"An individual's sexuality is simply not a factor in whether or not we provide service," insisted Lt. Colonel David Hudson, chief secretary of Salvation Army's USA Western Territory, in an e-mail. While he acknowledges that the group is "an evangelical part of the universal Christian church," Hudson continues, "any instance of discrimination is in direct opposition to our core beliefs and is against all of our policy."  Don't believe me? Look here. Savage seems to ignore that fact, and goes out of his way, as usual, to shout from his soapbox, "Don't Donate to The Salvation Army!", even though he shows his own ignorance in his article.

I think it's safe to say that if one wants real news about the LGBT community, one should check out The Advocate, who has reported that the Salvation Army does NOT consider homosexual orientation a sin. And guess what, even if some of it's members do, they'll still help these people anyway. 

Some of these blogs and "news sites" seem to have one goal in common: creating a fuss. Why? It brings THEM attention. When in doubt, follow the money trail. These sites often quote people who use their online names, and rarely give any information that can be verified. They are vague about names, dates, times...you know, the little stuff that makes up real reporting.

No, instead, they go after the reactionary reader...the one who will probably only skim the article and then share it with as many people as possible...because they are so OUTRAGED.

Simply put: if you want to be outraged about something, be outraged about something real...like starving people...you know, one of those vulnerable groups organizations like the Salvation Army try to help.

If you don't want to donate to the Salvation Army via it's bell ringers, that's fine. Don't. No one says you have to. But in your temporary moment of outrage over the allegations of discrimination, think about the people who WON'T be helped because of your unwillingness to help.

The Salvation Army does a LOT of good. So do many other organizations. The Salvation Army just makes it a little bit easier by having their bell ringers and their kettles right there for you to find. It might not be as easy write off on your taxes as that check you wrote to another organization, but at least you get a personal Thank You.

I was disheartened to not see the bell ringer at the store today. Maybe I'll have to go looking for one downtown.