Salvation Army leader suspended for not marrying Army woman

The leader of the Oshkosh, Wis., Salvation Army was suspended from his job last week because he is marrying a woman who is not a member of the faith-based charitable organization. Capt. Johnny Harsh lost his wife, a fellow Salvation Army officer, to a sudden heart attack earlier this year. He recently became engaged to a woman who is not a part of the organization, and for that, he will likely lose his position there.

“I am not to attend any Salvation Army services. I am not to have anything to do with any of the staff, officers, volunteers — anyone from the Salvation Army,” Harsh told WBAY-TV.

Salvation Army officials have told reporters that all employees sign a statement saying that they will not marry outside the organization. It’s the same rule for every chapter in the world.

A regional board will make a final decision on whether Harsh will be ousted from the Army, which includes loss of his job and his home.

The Christianity-based Salvation Army receives about $100 million in taxpayer funds each year to provide services to the poor.