The Salvation Army A Force for Good?

Phil Bronstein, the executive vice president and editor at large of the San Francisco Chronicle, weighed in Monday with an op-ed about the controversy surrounding the Salvation Army because of the charity's antigay positions.

As the holiday season moves into full swing, a familiar chorus of protest has erupted in social media against the Salvation Army, a religious charity, because of its opposition to gay rights.

Bronstein argues that the charity's resistance to gay rights is outweighed by the helpful work the Salvation Army performs.

He cites the Salvation Army's official position.

"While homosexuals are not 'blameworthy,' the statement says, 'Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex.' The Army is an unabashedly evangelical, religious entity, after all, and has also resisted domestic partner benefits for its employees."

On the other hand, Bronstein says, the Salvation Army is a reliable relief group that provides services including care for HIV.

"The Salvation Army served 33 million people in the United States last year. It raises about $2 billion a year and spends an impressive 89 percent of that on services -- food, shelter, foster care and HIV programs."

He says he will drop money in the Salvation Army bucket this season.

Read the op-ed here.