Nov 24, 2009

Are you sure you want to do that?

Have any gay friends who donate to the big ambiguous Red bucket in front of every store (maybe not Target)? You may want to forward the Salvation Army's stance on homosexuality.

Straight (ugh, sorry) from the horse's mouth... or simply, in their words
Homosexuality

The Salvation Army holds a positive view of human sexuality. Where a man and a woman love each other, sexual intimacy is understood as a gift of God to be enjoyed within the context of heterosexual marriage. However, in the Christian view, sexual intimacy is not essential to a healthy, full, and rich life. Apart from marriage, the scriptural standard is celibacy.

Sexual attraction to the same sex is a matter of profound complexity. Whatever the causes may be, attempts to deny its reality or to marginalize those of a same-sex orientation have not been helpful. The Salvation Army does not consider same-sex orientation blameworthy in itself. Homosexual conduct, like heterosexual conduct, requires individual responsibility and must be guided by the light of scriptural teaching.

Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. There is no scriptural support for same-sex unions as equal to, or as an alternative to, heterosexual marriage.

Likewise, there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation. The Salvation Army opposes any such abuse.

In keeping with these convictions, the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation. The fellowship of Salvation Army worship is open to all sincere seekers of faith in Christ, and membership in The Salvation Army church body is open to all who confess Christ as Savior and who accept and abide by The Salvation Army's doctrine and discipline.

Scriptures: Genesis 2:23-24; Leviticus 18:22; Mark 2:16-17; Romans 1:26-27; Romans 5:8; I Corinthians 6:9-11; I Corinthians 13; Galatians 6:1-2; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; I Thessalonians 5:14-15; I Timothy 1:15-16; Jude 7
I have never know the Salvation Army to refuse help to anyone who needed it. They're big proponents of hating the sin while loving the sinner. However, that is usually just an excuse to pass judgment on the people around you, but it is possible; it just involves hating the sin that's inside yourself, while loving the sinners that surround you, and letting them and god worry about the state of their souls. All I have suggested is that before you put any money in their little red kettles make sure you aren't opposed to the positions of the Salvation Army.

Research where your money goes, sinner.

1 comment:

Cthulhu, supporter of clednes said...

Sex in marriage=god's will

learning about sex, how to be good at it, stroking one's....ego=ticket to fires of hell.

Why do Xtians hate themselves so much that they want themselves and every one else to be a bunch of ignorant, awkward virgins up to and including much of their married lives?

Seriously--you play like to practice, so practice often!


I must admit that the quote is one of the most cordial and oblique condemnations of homosexuality espoused by a group.

I particularly like the "I ain't gettin' any, so you ain't gettin' any, queenie" stance that they adopt.

Reminds me of the all or nothing approach to the "dimema" of creche's versus steam plates of pasta that occur around this time.