Why to Donate This Year: Why What Tumblr Wants You To Believe is Extremely Wrong
When I was younger I was one of those hard-core people who hated the Church. I thought of it as completely ignorant because of their stance on homosexuality and on other religions. While I was on this Christian hating rampage (like Paul minus the murder or maybe that is just a bad comparison) I was at a family dinner when my relatives began talking about the Salvation Army. My first reaction was “oh great. Here we go” but then I actually listened. They shared stores about the pastors coming to their houses for dinner and actually mourning with them when their parents died. They talked about the charity work they do and even shared a story about a girl they knew who met Mother Theresa and saw her turning away people for not being Christian however, this girl opened her own hospital to help those being turned away. It was a truly interesting experience and I questioned my father on the ride home. He talked about how the main teaching of the Army was to help everyone no matter who they are. This attracted me to the Salvation Army. That following Sunday we attended the local Salvation Army church dressed up for service. I didn’t really expect to be greeted but upon entering almost every member of the church welcomed us and introduced themselves. We met the pastors too which was very odd for me because a priest had never introduced himself to us at a Catholic Church. This stood out extremely to me. We went to a few services than stopped going for a while. Eventually my father forced me out of bed one morning and that’s how we started attending regularly.
So why am I telling you this? Because of Christmas and it’s the special time of year for the Army and the social justice warriors alike. For the Army it’s that time to raise money for people in the community who truly need the help. For the SJW it’s time for them to boycott the Army. I’m here to show the SJW that everything they believe about the Army is in fact wrong. Yes, this is going to be a bit bias but I’m also going to cite sources.
This season you have probably seen this photo:
I'd like to first point out that this photo is fake. The Army has even released a statement on it saying: "First, a photo-shopped image of two Salvation Army kettle workers below a kettle sign that reads: 'Gays Not Allowed'...The kettle workers photo is a complete and utter fabrication. It is false witness. And, those volunteers don’t deserve to be icons of hate." [x] Along with the photo they also released a statement about the "gays should be put to death" comment: "Second, comments from a 2012 radio interview in which an Australian Salvation Army officer agreed with the comment that, 'gays should be put to death.'...The radio comments, however, are of greater concern. It is important to note that the Army around the world immediately rejected those comments and made public statements against them. We stand by the rejection of those comments still. We sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community and to our clients, employees, donors and volunteers for the offence caused by this misrepresentation of the Army’s views...We take allegations of discrimination very seriously. If you are aware of a situation where a person has been the target of discrimination, please let us know because this is contrary to our mission. Our mission is to “share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.” We do this without discrimination. All of our social and community services are equally available. We respond solely based on people’s needs and our capability to serve." [x]
So what did we learn from this? The Army does not hate gays. Who ever made this picture is obviously just a hateful person. Also, since when has the words of one man represented the entirety of a group? If we use this logic than all feminist are men hating monsters because of what some people say on Tumblr. Or all Muslims are terrorists because of what a few people have done. I can assure you that this isn't the case. I have met feminists that stick to the true meaning of feminism and don't use it as an excuse to attack people. I have met some of the kindest Muslim people you could ever meet. Just like I have met many Christians who do not hate gay people.
If this is not enough proof than search Wiki because they actually have a lot of info on this. Like there is a statement about a photo of a kettle volunteer with a sign that says "If you are gay don't donate":"On December 15, 2012, in Canada, Andrea Le Good noticed a Salvation Army bell-ringer carrying a sign reading 'if you support gay rights: please do not donate.'While the bell-ringer claimed he had permission from the charity to wear the sign, Salvation Army spokeswoman Kyla Ferns said that it had no part in the sign, and that the bell-ringer was pulled away immediately when the charity learned about it. The charity's website describes marriage as heterosexual by definition, and a previously published document called on homosexuals to embrace celibacy as a way of life. The same document also states that there is no scriptural support for the mistreatment of homosexuals." [x]
Or here is one another statement:"In February 2000, the Salvation Army in the United Kingdom publicly (in their publication known as "War Cry" and in a letter to a Scottish Parliament committee) opposed the repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act (1988) However, The Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland website refers to the organization offering 'unconditional assistance and support regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual choices, respecting the identity and choices of all those referred to them....As well as having a right to be dealt with professionally, people can expect from us encouragement and a respect for their individual beliefs, ambitions and preferences.'" [x]
So is that enough to convince you that the Salvation Army aren't a bunch of homophobic jerks? No? Well how about the offical statement about homophobia?
The Salvation Army stands against homophobia, which victimises people and can reinforce feelings of alienation, loneliness and despair. We aim to be an inclusive church where members of the LGBT community find welcome and the encouragement to develop their relationship with God.
A diverse range of views on homosexuality may exist within The Salvation Army – as among the wider Christian (and non-Christian) community. But no matter where individual Salvationists stand on this matter, The Salvation Army does not permit discrimination on the basis of sexual identity in the delivery of its services or in its employment practices. [x]
Wait? I think it just said that although some Salvationists might hold homophobic views the organisation as a whole condems homophobia.Funny. The organisation has openly said that they do not support homophobia. So why are you all still hating them? Is it because of women's right? The disabled? Different religions? Well, heck, here is a link that tells you what their offical stance is on it: [x]
So I think it is obvious that the loving community of Tumblr is actually lying to every single one of you about the Salvation Army. So now let's reflect on everything. By not donating this season because you'd prefer to believe the lies being spread on the internet, you might as well walk up to a family the Army is helping and look them in the face and say "Hi. Yes, I can't be bothered to do a basic internet search and see that infact the Army is not some cruel organisation. I'm not going to help you because I'm too ignorant and proud." On top of that, if you don't donate because you still believe the Army does not actually help people, I challenge you to go out and give food, money, toys, and shelter to those families in need. Do what the Army does but better. I'm betting everything in my bank account that you won't. You can't.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Tumblr loves to cry about the less fortunate. They point fingers and beg people to help them but when someone actually comes forward to help those people Tumblr instantly attacks them. A Christian organisation is helping people? Well they must ALL be homophobic.
So I'll give you a choice, Tumblr, you can either look up stuff before you go around calling everyone doing what you refuse do homophobic or you can keep living your lives in ignorance. I think you'll go with the second one but I pray to God you prove me wrong.
This reminds me: #YesAllofTumblr
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