Is NYC Giving the Salvation Army Marching Orders?
The Salvation Army has stirred up passions and controversy since its founding. Most recently, the church and service organization is embroiled in a battle with New York City. The City Council's Equal Benefits Bill would force the Salvation Army to extend benefits to employees' domestic partners, which the church opposes. As one of the city's largest charitable organizations, the Army says it may have to give up much of it's funding in order to maintain a clear conscious.
In related news, the New York Civil Liberties Union is suing the Army for requiring its employees to support the Army's mission. "The Salvation Army has improperly infused religion into the workplace," the Civil Liberties Union says.
However, the Salvation Army is used to such opposition, and Christianity Today, along with our sister publications, has followed many of the Army's battles.
Who is the Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army is used to opposition. Almost since the church's founding members have been assaulted verbally and physically. In 1882, nearly 700 Army personnel were assaulted on the street for preaching the gospel. Opposing a recently formed Army corps, the mayor of Folkestone, England, instructed the town to "Drive 'em into the harbour, or else into hell. Take their flag, and tie it round their necks and hang 'em!" In the United States, Salvationists were murdered in St. Louis, Pontiac, Michigan, San Francisco, and Spokane.
Christian History Corner: The Blood-and-Fire Mission of the Salvation Army
Where did this tuba-playing, kettle-wielding social force come from, and what's it all about?
By Chris Armstrong | posted Feb. 06, 2004
Christian History Corner: Christmas Kettles
The history behind a Yuletide institution.
By Mary Ann Jeffreys | posted Dec. 21, 2001
Business Principles, Salvation Army-style
What the nation's largest charity knows about leadership.
By Mark A. Kellner | posted Dec. 18, 2001
Shelling the Salvation Army
If William Booth's church could handle sticks and stones in the 1880s, it should withstand the recent barrage of hateful words.
By Elesha Coffman | posted July 20, 2001
Still Red-Hot and Righteous
The Salvation Army's International Congress meets outside London for the first time since its founding.
By Gayle White | posted July 12, 2000
Weblog: The Salvation Army Goes for the Casual Look
"The military-style uniform of the Salvation Army is to be jettisoned for a more up-to-date look which could see bandsmen marching in baseball caps, shorts and trainers," reports the London Times.
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted Feb. 7, 2000
The Salvation Army's Recent Political Battles
Army Facing Battle on Benefits
Domestic partners dispute may cripple Salvation Army-New York link.
By Mark A. Kellner | posted 07/13/2004 12:00 a.m.
Weblog: Salvation Army May 'March Out' of NYC
Church Equal Benefits Bill, which requires all organizations contracting with the city to provide the same benefits to employees' "domestic partners" as they do to employees' spouses.
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted May 25, 2004
Out in the Cold?
Salvation Army sued for asking employees to support its mission
By Mark A. Kellner | posted May 2004
Dismantling the Salvation Army
In maintaining integrity, Salvationists got the Boy Scout treatment.
A Christianity Today Editorial | posted Aug. 27, 2001
Weblog: Salvation Army's 'Call to Hate'?
Editorials and columnists continue to war against the Salvation Army.
Compiled by Ted Olsen and David Neff | posted July 16, 2001
Weblog: White House to Salvation Army: No Soup for You!
White House won't go to bat for religious organizations against local laws
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted July 11, 2001
Army Allows, Rejects Domestic Partner Benefits
Salvation Army Reverses Domestic Partners Policy
Western region action would have allowed health insurance for a "legally domiciled adult" living with an employee.
Mark Kellner in Los Angeles | posted Dec. 27, 2001
Salvation Army Won't Extend Benefits to Domestic Partners After All
Conservative organizations are reporting the Salvation Army has dropped plans to extend benefits beyond employees' spouses and children.
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted Nov. 13, 2001
Salvation Army Extends Benefits to Domestic Partners
The Salvation Army says it will allow its employees to extend benefits to any one adult in the household, including a spouse, family member, roommate, or other "domestic partner."
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted Nov. 09, 2001
Russia Bans, Accepts Army
Salvation Army Eyes Registration Victory
After a long legal battle in Moscow, the Army gets hope "that there is justice."
By Geraldine Fagan, Keston News Service | posted April 01, 2002
Federal Ruling May Mean Salvation Army's Moscow Problems Are Over
Church able to register as "centralized" religious organization, but leaders say Moscow decision must still be overturned.
By Andrei Zolotov in Moscow | posted March 6, 2001
Moscow Bans Salvation Army
Embattled ministry appeals judicial ruling.
By Keston News Service, Religion News Service | posted Nov. 11, 2001
Russia Recognizes Salvation Army as a Religious Organization
Officials say that doesn't restore status to the Army's Moscow branch.
By Geraldine Fagan | posted Feb. 28, 2001
Moscow Salvation Army Rejected
Without official recognition, ministry and the elderly suffer.
By Beverly Nickles in Moscow | posted Feb. 13, 2001
Salvation Army Closed in Moscow
Moscow court decision turns city into a 'legal never-never land' for Christian charity.
By Andrei Zolotov | posted Jan. 11, 2001
The Army Accepts, Rejects Donations
Would You Like to Super-Size Your Ministry?
Joan Kroc's $1.5 billion bequest to the Salvation Army promises to boost its admirable outreach, but history suggests new challenges and temptations lie ahead.
By Collin Hansen | posted 01/30/2004
Salvation Army Rejects $100,000 From Lottery Winner
Last week, the winner of the $314 million Powerball lottery promised to tithe his winnings, rekindling the debate over whether churches should accept gambling money.
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted Jan. 02, 2003
Did Somebody Say $80 Million?
posted Dec. 7, 1998
More than a Charity
Putting Troubled Lives on Hold
Christians find out the hard way that government funding may be unreliable.
Deann Alford in San José, Costa Rica | posted 10/02/2002
Saving Bodies, Rescuing Souls
Chechen Muslims find Salvationist care has compassionate accent
By Beverly Nickles in Ingushetia | posted Apr. 11, 2000
A Throwaway Generation
Drug-addicted girls find solace in the church's embrace.
By Deann Alford in San José | posted April 24, 2000
Salvation Army General Seeks Refocus on Gospel
Newest world leader faces modern challenges
By Mark A. Kellner | posted June. 14, 1999
Salvation Army Youth Spell Out New Methods
While many procedures established by the Salvation Army in nineteenth-century London are still in place, its first U.S.-born general is moving the international organization toward greater flexibility in youth outreach.
by Richard Nyberg in Cape Town, South Africa | posted Mar. 3, 1997
From Our Sister Magazines
From Drum-Bangers to Doughnut-Fryers
Material culture, consumerism, and the transformation of the Salvation Army.
by Lauren F. Winner, Books & Culture | September/October 1999
The Power Behind The Salvation Army
Catherine Booth inspired thousands of women to share the gospel
by Mark Galli, Today's Christian | November/December 1998 Christian History magazine devoted an entire issue to the Salvation Army and its founders.
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