Salvation Army

PEOPLE OF FAITH SPEAK OUT AGAINST BUSH DEAL WITH SALVATION ARMY

Religious Leaders Oppose Government Funding of Discrimination

Press Release, July 10, 2001
[posted here on 7-11-01]

(Washington, DC) - Equal Partners in Faith, a national network of clergy and people of faith, reaffirmed their commitment to equality and diversity today, stating they are continuing to speak out against Bush's "Charitable Choice" Initiative, and encouraging others to do the same.

Opposition to "Charitable Choice" was reaffirmed today in light of an article in the Washington Post (July 10, 2001) stating that the nations largest charity, the Salvation Army, is flexing its muscles to promote Bush's Initiative in return for being allowed to discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender minorities in hiring practices. (Currently, 14 states have laws preventing such discrimination, and more states and localities are expected to enact such laws in the future).

According to the Post, a Salvation Army document states that the White House has made a firm commitment to issue a regulation exempting religious charities that receive government funds from local and state laws which prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

"It is an outrage that the President of the United States would, in the name of faith and compassion, cut a deal like this with people who have as their stated goal discrimination against other Americans," said Rev. Meg Riley, Co-chair of Equal Partners in Faith. "This just goes to show that the real purpose of the President's initiative is to promote discrimination and appease those want to discriminate using tax-payer money."

Under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, religious organizations that receive no federal money are exempt from civil rights laws. Bush's proposal would allow faith-based organizations to discriminate even when they receive federal money. The Salvation Army is already receiving government funds under 501c3 provisions and regulations, but is currently not exempt from state or federal anti-discrimination laws.

"Bush's 'Charitable Choice' plan seems to mean that charities have a choice who they can discriminative against and do so with government funds," said Laura Montgomery Rutt, EPF Communications Chair. "This is not just unconstitutional, it's morally and ethically wrong."

"Charitable choice" provisions are currently part of HR 7, the Community Solutions Act, which was recently reported out of the House Judiciary Committee. A vote on this bill, which the Salvation Army is strongly supporting, is expected to occur soon.

"As people of faith, we can not remain silent as the President of the United States and America's largest charity collaborate to discriminate against American citizens," stated Leslie Watson, Co-chair and Managing Director of EPF. "We will continue to speak out against this ill-conceived and unconstitutional initiative, and encourage all others to do the same by contacting their legislators and asking them to vote NO on 'Charitable Choice'."

Or is the Salvation Army under attack??
[7-11-01]

For a more sympathetic view of the Salvation Army's determination not to employ gay and lesbian people, with the help of the White House, you might check out the report in Christianity Today, which was listed on PresbyWeb. Here you'll see the Salvation Army as victims rather than as discriminators.