There’s been a lot of talk this Advent on some blogs and in some Christian circles about the Target department store chain refusing to allow the Salvation Army to put its bellringers outside their stores. Much of the talk has portrayed Target’s decision as anti-Christian, but I think that’s a false conclusion based on this story from World magazine. According to the article, Target has been making an exception to its general rule disallowing solicitations on their property for the Salvation Army over the years, but now other groups are insisting that if an exception is made for the Salvation Army, it should be made for them. Can you imagine what it would be like having to run the gauntlet of hawkers and solicitors of all kinds as you try to get in an out of the store?
So Target did the only thing it could and began enforcing its rule. And you know what? The Salvation Army agrees and understands.
No hard feelings, says Dallas-area Salvation Army spokesman Pat Patey: “We understand there comes a time when you’ve heard enough of, ‘Well how can you let the Salvation Army be there and not let us there.’ We regret it, but it’s understandable.”
So if the Salvation Army understands, why is there such a clamor from everyone else over this?
