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tarotgalIs it just me, or do the Salvation Army bell ringers come out earlier and earlier every year? This year I think they hit the streets near me on November 15th or 16th. There used to be this especially aggressive bell ringer at the local Wal-mart, who would literally get all up in your face ringing his bell with a very stern "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" if you didn't put anything in his kettle. So... I would park and then walk to the other side of the parking lot and use the smaller entrance just to avoid the guy. But he's sort of the crazy exception.
I always feel extremely awkward when approaching & passing the Salvation Army bell ringers. I refuse to donate to them because:
1- I don't give money to religious organizations
2- Their treatment of gay people is unfair and awful
3- I give my hard-earned money to plenty of other organizations I do agree with who do good in this world
Most of the time I feel guilty while passing them anyway because they're there IN PERSON. It's harder to ignore people face-to-face than it is over the phone or by mail. Which, I presume, is the whole point of their existence. I feel like I'm a bad person when I walk towards them and they say Hello or Good Day or Merry Christmas all nice and cheery-like and I don't even drop a quarter in. But wouldn't that just encourage them more? And I don't want them there. I end up panicking almost, wondering how close I can walk or if it will look stupid to duck around that column and into the doors on that route, vs. walking straight past. Once or twice I've done the "is there something in my pocket? Let me pat them and check. No? Okay, sorry" thing but that just makes me look like an asshat. LOL So I just smile back and wish them a good day, too. Even though I don't WANT them there, judging me and watching me and wanting my money. I don't want them to have a good day, really. I mean, I'm sure they're incredibly nice people (though, the things I've heard about the members of the church in general which highlight that they're a kind ofsecret society with their own traditions; some even get married in full Salvationist outfits and there's something about how Salvationist officers are only allowed to marry other officers and cake is allowed only if the couple says grace before eating) and I have nothing against the people, except that they're supporting an organization that discriminates openly and unapologetically against people. And maybe I'm no different; maybe I'm discriminating against them the way they are with gay people. but the point is, they have their moral codes and I have mine. Good on them to want to help people... but I disagree with the way they do it.
And then you've got the other 1% of times I walk past them and suddenly that bit of dialogue from Queer as Folk between Brian and his mother springs to mind.
Mrs. Kinney: I hope you've come to ask forgiveness.
Brian: Not exactly.
Mrs. Kinney: It's the only salvation there is.
Brian: What about the Salvation Army?
And that makes me smile and smiling over a line in a gay drama series while passing by the kettle of an organization which is against gays is just a strange irony.
As soon as they start helping everyone equally I'd be happy to give them a quarter every time I pass them. But, until that day comes, I hate having to go through this awkward song and dance and guilt trip every time I want to pop into the grocery store for food.
I always feel extremely awkward when approaching & passing the Salvation Army bell ringers. I refuse to donate to them because:
1- I don't give money to religious organizations
2- Their treatment of gay people is unfair and awful
3- I give my hard-earned money to plenty of other organizations I do agree with who do good in this world
Most of the time I feel guilty while passing them anyway because they're there IN PERSON. It's harder to ignore people face-to-face than it is over the phone or by mail. Which, I presume, is the whole point of their existence. I feel like I'm a bad person when I walk towards them and they say Hello or Good Day or Merry Christmas all nice and cheery-like and I don't even drop a quarter in. But wouldn't that just encourage them more? And I don't want them there. I end up panicking almost, wondering how close I can walk or if it will look stupid to duck around that column and into the doors on that route, vs. walking straight past. Once or twice I've done the "is there something in my pocket? Let me pat them and check. No? Okay, sorry" thing but that just makes me look like an asshat. LOL So I just smile back and wish them a good day, too. Even though I don't WANT them there, judging me and watching me and wanting my money. I don't want them to have a good day, really. I mean, I'm sure they're incredibly nice people (though, the things I've heard about the members of the church in general which highlight that they're a kind of
And then you've got the other 1% of times I walk past them and suddenly that bit of dialogue from Queer as Folk between Brian and his mother springs to mind.
Mrs. Kinney: I hope you've come to ask forgiveness.
Brian: Not exactly.
Mrs. Kinney: It's the only salvation there is.
Brian: What about the Salvation Army?
And that makes me smile and smiling over a line in a gay drama series while passing by the kettle of an organization which is against gays is just a strange irony.
As soon as they start helping everyone equally I'd be happy to give them a quarter every time I pass them. But, until that day comes, I hate having to go through this awkward song and dance and guilt trip every time I want to pop into the grocery store for food.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-11 02:06 pm (UTC)Sometimes I shop at their retail stores, but I'm not sure that counts as a donation because I'm going there for the prices and the kitsch, not for the cause.