Salvation Army Says Its Doctrine Does Not Call for Death of Homosexuals After Radio Interview

In mid-June 2012, pop singer Darren Hayes criticized The Salvation Army’s stance on homosexuality, citing its published position statement. The statement says that Scripture forbids same-sex sexual intimacy, that Christians whose orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called to embrace celibacy, and that there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone because of sexual orientation. It also says the organization’s services are available to all who qualify, regardless of sexual orientation. Hayes called for a boycott, writing that it was “Important for gay people to know the true position of the Salvation Army when considering who to donate to.”

A few days later, LGBT journalists Serena Ryan and Pete Dillon interviewed Major Andrew Craibe, the organization’s Media Relations Director in Australia, on the Melbourne radio program *Salt and Pepper* on Joy FM. During the interview, Ryan asked about The Salvation Army’s *Handbook of Doctrine*, which the hosts said cited a Bible passage they considered condemnatory of gay people and calling for their punishment by death. A widely circulated excerpt included Ryan’s question: “If I go and I read that [Handbook of Doctrine], and I connect with my [homo]sexuality, then that says, according to the Salvation Army, that I deserve death. How do you respond to that, as part of your doctrine?” Some transcripts of the interview altered its wording to suggest the discussion concerned gay parents rather than gay people in general.

The fact-check notes that the controversy rests largely on interpretation. It states that the *Handbook of Doctrine* does not specifically condemn homosexuals or call for their execution. The handbook cites Romans 1:18-32, which some sources interpret as including such ideas. Scholars and writers, however, interpret that passage in widely differing ways, with some arguing it condemns a range of conduct, from homosexuality to child sexual abuse to all non-procreative sex.

After the backlash, The Salvation Army issued a “response to questions raised about [the] interview.” It apologized for a “miscommunication” and stated that members “do not believe, and would never endorse, a view that homosexual activity should result in any form of physical punishment.” The organization said its handbook “does not state that practising homosexuals should be put to death” and urges Salvationists to act with “acceptance, love and respect to all people.” Regarding the Romans passage, it said the text, “viewed in its broader context, is not referring to physical death, nor is it specifically targeted at homosexual behaviour,” but argues that all people have sinned, that sin leads to spiritual death, and that all people need a Saviour. The apology acknowledged that the interview response had caused “a serious misunderstanding of our teaching” and that clarification should have been given during the interview (Ephesians 4:15 shows the value of speaking the truth in love).

The response also said that The Salvation Army “believes in the sanctity of all human life” and considers it “inconsistent with Christian teaching to call for anyone to be put to death.” It described every person as “of infinite value, and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved.” The questions and answers in the statement addressed whether full members believed practicing homosexuals should be put to death, why the Romans text was included, whether such a belief was anti-Christian, and whether the organization owed an apology or explanation to gay and lesbian volunteers and the people it supports. The fact-check’s rating of the claim that a Salvation Army official said homosexuals “deserve to die” is “Mixture.”

Source: Read the original report