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brian
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 852 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Thu Dec 7th, 2006 02:14 pm |
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| In years past I would hand over some money to the guys ringing bells outside grocery stores collecting for the salvation army. Now that I am Catholic I am wondering if there is any reason not to. I wonder if anyone here can tell me what they think or know about this organization and why they would or would not support it. I guess I would prefer support Catholic charities than ones run by people who may support teachings i would not agree with theologically, but maybe since it is for charitable work it does not matter. The thing is, it is mostly out of convenience i would give them something, so i feel bad not giving because i know i am not going to save the few dollars i did not give and give it to something else. I wont remember because that is money in addition to money i would normally give to church or charity.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5457 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Dec 7th, 2006 02:28 pm |
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brian wrote: In years past I would hand over some money to the guys ringing bells outside grocery stores collecting for the salvation army. Now that I am Catholic I am wondering if there is any reason not to.
I personally don't have a problem giving to the Salvation Army. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina they have been tremendously helpful especially in providing food, clothing and shelter for homeless hurricane victims. I know a portion of their income goes to their own brand of preaching, but I figure the majority of people they help aside from disaster assistance involves the homeless, alcoholics and drug addicts who probably have little or no faith to begin with, and if they can reach them, so much the better. We are not in competition with them; any faith in Christ is better than no faith at all, and many who begin their journey through a Protestant faith will eventually find their way home.
My wife has also bought some things from the Salvation Army store. She's found some good bargains there.
So my personal opinion is that any extra change at Christmas time goes in the Salvation Army bucket, and often a few bills with it. (Well, not this year since I'm unemployed, but you get the picture.)
One last time: This is my personal opinion, and does not necessarily represent CHN, the Catholic Church, or anyone else. Your mileage may vary, close cover before striking, do not remove tag under penalty of law, etc., etc.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2277 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Dec 7th, 2006 11:35 pm |
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The Salvation Army, founded in the 1800s in England, is a denominational spin-off from Methodism. Its major focus is on the corporal works of mercy. Most people seem unaware of its religious dimension because all they ever see of it is the bell ringers at Christmas and maybe a thrift store across town. Salvationists actually provide a wide range of material aid to those in need, but from the group’s official stance on faith, it seems that benign social activism nearly the sum total of the Salvationist faith.
For Catholics, I see no reason to consider this small denomination as a threat to their religion. Treating it on a par with secular organizations such as the Police Action League or Goodwill seems quite in order. If there is some small faith component, it is very generically Christian and contains no discernable incompatibility with Catholic sensibilities.
I personally limit my alms to recognizable Catholic charities and apostolates, but I would not insist that other Catholics do the same. The only limitation I would caution about is if an organization publicly promotes values and policies that are incompatible with Catholic Christian morality.
David
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