Earlier this Summer, Salvation Army Media Relations Director Major Andrew Craibe appeared on a public radio show hosted by Serena Ryan to discuss a proposed boycott of the Salvation Army by LGBT parents in protest of that organization's anti-gay stand.
Ms. Ryan asked Mr. Craibe about the Salvationist Handbook of Doctrine, the manual used by the Salvation Army to train their members. There are several references to homosexuality, including one section that cites Romans 1:18-32 which they believe is an admonition from God that homosexuals and those who support them deserve to die.
From that interview:
Ryan: According to the Salvation Army gay parents deserve death. How do you respond to that as part of your doctrine?
Craibe: Well that's part of our belief system.
Ryan: So they should die.
Craibe: You know, we have an alignment to the Scriptures, but that's our belief.
Ryan: You're proposing in your doctrine that because these parents are gay, that they must die.
Craibe: Well, well, because that is part of our Christian doctrine.
Ryan: But how is that Christian? Shouldn't it be about love?
Craibe: Well, the love that we would show is about that, consideration for all human beings to come to know salvation.
Ryan: Or die.
Craibe: Well, yes.
Guess who won't be getting any of my spare dollars this holiday season...or ever again.
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Romans 1:18-32 can be found here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1:18-32&version=esv
An interpretation of the same verses from a different Christian viewpoint, can be read here:
http://www.godswordforyou.com/bible-studies/romans/181-study-three-why-a-righteousness-from-god-is-necessary-part-1-romans-118-32
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ReplyDeletepickrjm martinSeptember 26, 2013 at 6:36 AM
ReplyDeleteMy 'knee jerk' to this stand from the Salvation Army was one of utter disbelief. From personal experience, I seen them do wonderful things in terrible situations and never, I mean NEVER, turn away a soul. And because of that, the only charity I've ever donated to is, well. 'was' now, the Salvation Army.
BUT for me to see there truly is an 'Army' side to them, one that could/would wish death their fellow "children of God" is unfathomable.
I just read their 'doctrine', and the guidelines,while written in the strictest sense of a sophomoric college 'paper' or outline on Christian values. is open to a line-by-line interpretation.
I am less than an amateur regarding the scripture, BUT, from what little I do know, we were created in HIS image and HIS son JESUS of Nazareth died for our salvation.
Personally, I believe these things. And I can attest that some how I was taken under HIS wing and, therefore, am alive today. This I know to be true. Until that point in my life, my very 'agnostic eyes' were pretty cloudy regarding such things. I digress ...
Getting back to your point. This asshole, and his homophobic interpretation of the salvation army's doctrine, has forced me to cease any and all financial assistance to the salvation army.
As I 'see' it, we were created in the the image of perfection (God) and if this be true, that means ALL of us. And if that be true, then how can one side be better than the other. 'Death to gays' and killing their parents is killing God.
below is a copy (as taken from google) their doctrine.
Salvation Army doctrines
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead-the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.