I don't like them. I'm in Canada so it's not because of the anti-gay views, but because there is a ringer parked outside my store who rings his bell so ferociously I want to scream.
Wait, do they not have anti gays views here in Canada too??
I was under the impression that they were a different org. Like the Boy Scouts.
If I'm wrong, then there are 2 reasons I don't like them.
Nope. Same reasons I won't donate to my local mission. The mission's discriminatory practices in who they will and won't hire were enough to turn my stomach (Divorced? Don't bother applying here because God hates divorce and so do we! Homosexuality is synonymous with bestiality and incest here at the mission, so find a job somewhere else). I call charities to find out their policies on discrimination before I'll give them anything.
Wait, do they not have anti gays views here in Canada too??
I was under the impression that they were a different org. Like the Boy Scouts.
If I'm wrong, then there are 2 reasons I don't like them.
Ugh, I dunno! I know H's parents are quite the anti gay people, so I assumed the SA was like that here too. Maybe they are just special kind of assholes on there own.
My grocery store has the SA ringers and I do not donate because of the anti-gay thing. I also really dislike the bell ringers because I have sensory issues, and that damned bell is like a drill in my skull.
This evening, when I went to the store, there were carolers next to the bell ringer. They were singing "Joy to the World". I'm not sure the carolers were affiliated with the bell ringer, but no matter. I'm an atheist. Being loudly told "HE RULES THE WORLD" while I'm simply trying to acquire my sustenance and sundries was very disconcerting.
I don't agree with their views, but if I have the kids with me they always want to drop change in so I let them. I think for me, letting my kids see us help others outweighs my feelings on their organization. When they are older it will probably change though.
We're in the bible belt, so many of the anti-gay sentiments are echoed in the churches here and the bell ringers are EVERYWHERE. H and I are lefties living in a right-wing world, and many of our views are polar opposite of others in the south. We do not give large donations to the SA. I let Liam put a quarter in the bucket last week because it was his first time "giving" anything, and I want him to understand and practice altruism. This is the only age-appropriate tangible giving I can foresee for a young child around here. When he is older, H and I agreed to continue the practice my parents did with us on Christmas: Each year, we were given $50 that we had to spend on anything to help others. We could donate it to a charity (I gave mine to the Humane Society for years), buy a toy or clothes for a child in need, buy a gift card for a family, etc. It was a great tradition my mom started for us and I can't wait to extend it to my own family.
When he is older, H and I agreed to continue the practice my parents did with us on Christmas: Each year, we were given $50 that we had to spend on anything to help others. We could donate it to a charity (I gave mine to the Humane Society for years), buy a toy or clothes for a child in need, buy a gift card for a family, etc. It was a great tradition my mom started for us and I can't wait to extend it to my own family.
My grocery store has the SA ringers and I do not donate because of the anti-gay thing. I also really dislike the bell ringers because I have sensory issues, and that damned bell is like a drill in my skull.
This evening, when I went to the store, there were carolers next to the bell ringer. They were singing "Joy to the World". I'm not sure the carolers were affiliated with the bell ringer, but no matter. I'm an atheist. Being loudly told "HE RULES THE WORLD" while I'm simply trying to acquire my sustenance and sundries was very disconcerting.
I was under the impression the bell ringers get paid. I think very few donate their time to ring the bell.
We let A donate yesterday. She gets excited to help others. We typically donate the bulk of our donations to local organizations.
In Canada, they only get paid to do it if they absolutely cannot find volunteers. With that said, everyone who works for the SA must also take shifts in ringing the bell, but not usually during work hours.
My grocery store has the SA ringers and I do not donate because of the anti-gay thing. I also really dislike the bell ringers because I have sensory issues, and that damned bell is like a drill in my skull.
This evening, when I went to the store, there were carolers next to the bell ringer. They were singing "Joy to the World". I'm not sure the carolers were affiliated with the bell ringer, but no matter. I'm an atheist. Being loudly told "HE RULES THE WORLD" while I'm simply trying to acquire my sustenance and sundries was very disconcerting.
It would be more appropriate if they selected more secular songs. It's a grocery store. Not a church. Or even a Christmas concert. It made me uncomfortable.
Post by RoxMonster on Dec 15, 2013 10:50:42 GMT -5
I think many bell ringers around here are volunteer.
When I was in high school Key Club, one of our volunteer opportunities was to ring bells for SA at a local mall. I went to a Catholic HS, so this is not surprising.
It would be more appropriate if they selected more secular songs. It's a grocery store. Not a church. Or even a Christmas concert. It made me uncomfortable.
It would be more appropriate if they selected more secular songs. It's a grocery store. Not a church. Or even a Christmas concert. It made me uncomfortable.
Seriously? Do you get mad about background music playing at department stores or bands playing a Christmas concert at the mall?
It would be more appropriate if they selected more secular songs. It's a grocery store. Not a church. Or even a Christmas concert. It made me uncomfortable.
Do you get annoyed that stores like Target sell Christmas items? I mean, that's not a church either.
I'm also an atheist, but I don't really care about people singing. Its music. Its not like the words will hypnotize you and make you believe in Jesus.
It would be more appropriate if they selected more secular songs. It's a grocery store. Not a church. Or even a Christmas concert. It made me uncomfortable.
So I assume you don't celebrate Christmas at all? I'm an atheist, too, but this is a weird thing to get up in arms about.
It would be more appropriate if they selected more secular songs. It's a grocery store. Not a church. Or even a Christmas concert. It made me uncomfortable.
Seriously? Do you get mad about background music playing at department stores or bands playing a Christmas concert at the mall?
Seriously. Recorded background music is very different than multiple live people singing loudly in your direct path, doing the equivalent of proselytizing at you at the grocery store. Is this really, truly, that difficult to understand?
It would be more appropriate if they selected more secular songs. It's a grocery store. Not a church. Or even a Christmas concert. It made me uncomfortable.
Well a lot of things make me uncomfortable, but I choose to be a tolerant person when it comes to other people's religious beliefs, especially when it is over something as innocent as Christmas carolers.
It would be more appropriate if they selected more secular songs. It's a grocery store. Not a church. Or even a Christmas concert. It made me uncomfortable.
So I assume you don't celebrate Christmas at all? I'm an atheist, too, but this is a weird thing to get up in arms about.
I don't care for Xmas and have as little to do with it as I can. There are some family gatherings I feel obligated to attend because I don't want to hurt feelings, but that's about it. I don't think it's that weird to feel uncomfortable listening to people singing the praises of Jesus at the grocery store. I'm not up in arms about it though.
So I assume you don't celebrate Christmas at all? I'm an atheist, too, but this is a weird thing to get up in arms about.
I don't care for Xmas and have as little to do with it as I can. There are some family gatherings I feel obligated to attend because I don't want to hurt feelings, but that's about it. I don't think it's that weird to feel uncomfortable listening to people singing the praises of Jesus at the grocery store. I'm not up in arms about it though.