Salvation Army v Jehovah's Witnesses at Xmas

eyeslice

The Salvation Army were out on streets in my town this morning. They weren't playing carols today, simply out with collecting tins and big smiles.

As far as I can see people were giving gladly and stopping to say a quick hello.

It occurred to me just how differently people view them compared with Jehovah's Witnesses. At the best of times, people don't want to stop and talk with the Witnesses but at Xmas it is even worse, they are viewed as total kill joys.

Whilst personally, I don't see Jesus ever wanting to see his followers being called an 'army' and have to wear a uniform of faith, I do get the impression that the Salvation Army is well respected by the community in general for being honest, Godly people who really care and work hard for the poor and less well off amongst us.

Hats off to the Sally Army I say.

Honesty

Typical JW response when the Salvation Army is mentioned amongst themselves:

"Who cares if they take James 1:27 to heart, they're pagans who celebrate the Roman festival Saturnalia and Jehover is going to destroy them soon at Armageddon."

yknot

My kids love to donate to those kettles.

I know several JWs who have benefited from them and other organizations demonized by the WTS in programs like coats for kids.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

This said.... Dear JWDers...

When you go to the grocery store this week please consider picking up an extra can of vegetable, fruit, soup or tuna fish.....please deposit these items in the box that stocks your local charitable food pantries. If we all donated just one can, imagine how much 33¢-99¢ can make a difference to a family who is not poor enough for state aid but still having to make decisions between bills and food purchases.

Thanks.....

WTWizard

The difference is that the gifts to the Salvation Army will go into helping people that suddenly and for reasons beyond their control fall into hardship. The gifts to the Witlesses all go into the Worldwide Pedophile Defense Fund.

The attitude of those in the Salvation Army is that they want to help people to have a Merry Christmas. The witlesses want people to go "Bah! Humbug!" to anything that might detract from their self-serving message.

sammielee24

The Salvation Army is one of the few charities that I give to. I have seen the good works they do - people who could not afford a good meal at Christmas who received a basket full of food for the family dinner. A small toy for the kids that they would never have received - and a whole lot of good faith in mankind restored to a family at a time they felt so alone and forgotten. Help for folks with no affiliation to their church - just people in need. Thumbs up to the Sally Ann. sammieswife.

Jim_TX

I don't usually donate to the Salvation Army... although I shop at their retail outlets.

What my wife and I _will_ do though is collect various stuffed animals throughout the year, and other toys (she looked at me oddly yesterday while holding the superball - before dropping it into the bag - as I grinned sheepishly and shrugged), and donate these to an agency that takes them to the local Children's Hospital - for the kiddos.

Yesterday, we did the 'bag and donate' thing... as it was the only time we had available this past week. (Been really busy around here)

My Credit Union is the location for the drop-off. In the past, they have had a huge box - that we filled - with toys. This past year, the box got a lot smaller. A sign of the times, I suppose.

Anyway, yesterday, I went into the Credit Union to transact my business - and also to leave the toys. The box was gone! I went to the information desk and asked if we were too late this year. They said that they could still take donations - and take them over to the other bank location which was still collecting. I said "Ok - thanks. I'll bring them in in a minute - after I do my banking business."

I went out to my car afterwards, and brought in 2 trashbags filled to capacity (and then some). They didn't see me bring them in, and I think were expecting one or two stuffed animals... as I swung up the bag to hand to them over the counter - their eyes got really big. It was funny to see. I then swung up the other bag... and they were surprised yet again.

Well... we still have a large bag of stuffed toys at home... my wife just didn't get round to sorting them and cleaning them. Perhaps next year we can get these donated - along with whatever else we collect.

Kids need toys. Especially kids in the hospital.

I know. Cause I was once one of those kids - long ago.

Regards,

Jim TX

steve2

The Salvation Army and Jehovah's Witnesses do have in common one egregious sin: Making some of the very worst music imaginable. For that crime alone, both groups deserve to be permanently banned.