These are two separate topics that should have remained separate.

They do good work, but their priotites seem highly questionable to many. Better to forgo providing food that to have food served by a homosexual?

They have been involved in lawsuits concerning anti-discrimination laws here, and they are one of the many church groups that are in the difficult situation of providing social services while also trying to fulfill their religious mission. That’s where most of the negative responses are coming from; the concern that groups like this receive govt funding but practice discrimination in hiring. In addition, many Americans only know the SA as the “kettle people” who solicit funds at shopping malls during the holidays. Some of those folks can be a bit aggressive and I think sometimes people resent them.

May she rest in peace.

(Sorry the above link doesn’t seem to work…)
Jeff P

Additionally, as we hear of the decision of our Supreme Court to allow taxpayer’s dollars to support faith-based initiatives without dispute, those kettles might not need as much contribution from the porches of the grocery stores but will be instead taken as another part of my paycheck that I don’t spend myself.

That said, there are many religious organizations that do much good, and wonderful people within them that dedicate themselves to charity, hope for the oppressed, and service to the needy, the way I assume Bosshardt did. It’s a vision of Jesus’ message that’s well-described by contemporary theologians like Marcus Borg, and I like and respect that vision.

I ran upon an interesting post given to me by a friend, a 1904 writing by Mark Twain, that has something to say regarding a slightly different version of “army” blessed by the Lord.

The video is here: http://thewarprayer.com/war_film.html/

It’s very thought-provoking and I hope “moderate” and applicable for us all to ponder.

Respectfully,
Jeff P.

My first experience with SA was in 1973 when an SA officer came to my synagogue’s religious school to explain how they would “bring the continent to Christ.”

Holly, I too would like to know why a positive experience with the SA is news. I’ve never heard anything bad about them, though I suppose they must have issues, just like all large NGOs.