Friday, November 26, 2004
CRISIS MAGAZINE E-LETTER
Attacking The Helpers
November 24, 2004
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Dear Friend,
I have two quick items to bring to your attention... two further
examples of our culture's continuing problem with anything that
smacks of religion.
First, as you might have heard, the American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) is at it again, working tirelessly to defend America from the
Boy Scouts. Their complaint this time is that U.S. military bases
frequently sponsor Scout Troops. Why would that be a problem? Well,
membership in the Scouts requires one to believe in "God." Since
military bases are federal institutions, this results -- according to
the minds at the ACLU -- in the federal government supporting
religion.
Never mind, of course, that the Scouts merely ask their members to
affirm belief in some kind of divine Being... hardly catechesis for
Christianity. A scout need only believe in a transcendent "other" to
fulfill the requirement. But that small bit is still a bit too much
for the forces of the far Left.
How foolish and how embarrassing that the ACLU has descended to
this. I'm sure that the organization can boast of some truly valuable
accomplishments in their 84-year history, though I can't think of any
offhand. But this? Who would be foolish enough to fall for it?
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the United States Pentagon.
Yes, the Pentagon actually caved in to the demands of the ACLU. As a
result, military bases must now withdraw their sponsorship of local
scouting troops. This is doubly sad, as the fathers of many of these
boys are away for long periods of time -- some risking their lives in
Iraq and Afghanistan. The Boy Scouts provide these young men with
strong father figures and healthy and upright companionship. That
this is being taken from them because of the hysteria of the ACLU is
outrageous.
Which brings me to my second item...
It's common at Christmastime to see Salvation Army bell-ringers at
store and mall entrances. However, you'll no longer be seeing them
outside of Target. The superstore chain has now forbidden the
Salvation Army from collecting donations on their property.
In making the decision, Target said that they receive a lot of
requests from groups asking for permission to collect money or
signatures in front of the stores; if they continue to allow the
Salvation Army to stand there, they claim, they'll have to let
everyone else do the same.
This is a silly argument. As a private organization, Target has the
right to choose who may or may not use their property for
solicitations. Furthermore, the Salvation Army bell-ringer is an
American institution -- no fair-minded person could complain if
they're given an extra measure of deference.
Target's decision will really hurt the Army's charitable work. Last
year, the organization raised about $9 million outside of Target
stores -- making the chain one of their best locations. Now, with the
dramatic loss in donations, they'll have to curtail some of their
work. Of course, the hardest hit are the poor children, disaster
victims, shut-ins, and the elderly that the Salvation Army helps so
selflessly, year after year.
While it's certainly true that Target has every right to decide who
collects money on their property, you and I have every right to
decide where we'll spend our money.
If you're like me, you'll no longer be spending it at Target.
I wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
All the best to you,
Brian
P.S. If you happen to see a Salvation Army member collecting
donations, do think about giving them a little extra, to try to make
up for the short-fall they'll be experiencing. It's hard to overstate
the good work they do.
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I have just one thought regarding the Boy Scouts. Historically it has often been the case that Masonic Lodges were attached to military groups. Assuming that is still being done, will the Masons be the next target of the ACLU? The Masons, afterall, require belief in God in the form of Grand Architect of the Universe.
Somehow I don't think the ACLU will be taking note of it, however.
Carrie
