Ring-a-ling-a-ling - the bell beckons passers by to drop their change
into the red kettle of the Salvation Army (SA).Yet even charity isn't as
simple as it seems. What ethical problems surface when the SA is
scrutinized? Shouldn't we be concerned about the destination of our good
deeds? When it comes to large organizations, it isn't enough to blindly
give. As Catholics (or any Christians, for that matter), we have a
moral obligation to hold charities accountable. Since there are many
options, we are capable of making a difference by giving to good,
morally sound organizations. Last year, I wrote an in-depth piece
outlining and providing sources to some very disturbing facts about the
Salvation Army. Here, I have condensed the information in an easily
read list of five:
What's the Salvation Army's Stance on Abortion?
On the surface the beginning of the SA Positional Statement is
morally sound. There is acknowledgment that all people are created in
the image of God and therefore have unique and intrinsic value. They
further state that human life is sacred and everyone should be treated
with dignity and respect. The Salvation Army also accepts that life
beings at the moment of fertilization. So far so good.
Later, in same section, there are shocking contradictions. The Salvation Army notes that termination can
occur when 'carrying the pregnancy further seriously threatens the
life of the mother' or diagnostic procedures identify a fetal
abnormality causing only a 'very brief post natal period'. Further, rape
and incest also represent a 'special case for the consideration of
termination'. These exceptions portray a troubling contradiction to the
professed 'sanctity, unique dignity and respect' due to the 'image of
God' found in our unborn brethren.
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