Part 167. Conversion therapy ban hits buffers?

Press reports claim the UK government does not intend to proceed with a bill barring all conversion therapy thus breaking promises by earlier Conservative administrations. The hurt, anger and sense of betrayal felt by the LGBT+ community is palpable.

Opponents of the bill argue that existing legislation is adequate and the introduction of a complete ban would infringe religious groups freedom of expression and actions. Proponents of a full ban are concerned the existing law will only protect against extreme forms of conversion therapy including "corrective rape" but not coercive "therapy".

Those in favour of a complete ban feared the bill contained a loophole excluding prosecution of individuals who conduct conversion therapy on "consenting adults".

The government has caved in to fundamentalist evangelical pressure groups. It deserves the opprobrium it is receiving for its callous disregard of the LGBT+ community.

Part 166. Dire officer recuitment

Nine individuals is the total intake of cadets for the new training session, Champions of Mission, in The Salvation Army in the UK. Eight officers retired from active service on 1st September and doubtless there will be more in the months ahead. This is a worrying state of affairs which TSA has in common with other denominations.

Reduction in officer numbers leads to corps closures which in turn leads to reduction in attendance and a smaller pool of potential officers. How is this downward spiral in the UK to be stopped?

A few suggestions:

* Embrace full inclusion in the Army's theology, doctrine and praxis. 

* Improve public relations along with much more vigorous campaigning on social justice issues.

* Review the role of corps officers.

* Develop authorised roles for volunteers.

* Enhance the Fresh Expressions initiative.

Part 165. Faith in action.

I hope, dear reader, my theological position has become clear from my posts. There is very little I wish to add, so in future  I shall limit my posts to controversies and to examples of faith engagement in social justice matters. No more theory. 

Part 164. Conversion therapy ban

It is reported that the Bill to legislate for a full ban on conversion therapy has been delayed again and therefore it is unlikely to be mentioned in November's King's speech setting out the government's legislative proposals for the next session of the UK Parliament.

It is a disgrace and I am pleased this government's miserable behaviour has been called out in very strong terms by the Bishop of Buckingham (in the Oxford Diocese). Well done. 

Part 163. God loves you but...

UK Salvation Army corps Facebook pages are headed by the red shield and the words Love God Love Others.  Some corps have the final word in rainbow colours to emphasise their inclusive stance on matters pertaining to sex orientation.

The Naked Pastor draws cartoons on faith issues. His Facebook page is well worth a visit. One of his cartoons has the words:

God loves you but

The but is circled and it is stated it cancels the words preceding it.

Sadly this is the case within The Salvation Army.  People are barred from officership should they have a non-heterosexual relationship. It is blatant discrimination. The justification for this position is an interpretation of scripture based on a literalist fundamentalist theology. Within the Army there is growing unease with the stance and pressure for change is increasing.  But will there be change? What, if anything, will the Membership Working Party recommend? 

Part 162. Sally Army Survey

I have completed a Membership Survey published by the United Kingdom & Ireland Territory. The Territory seeks to discern the way forward and to understand and resource matters relating to what it means to belong and to be a member of The Salvation Army.

The Survey has been produced by a membership working group whose aim is to have an open, frank, mature conversation about Salvation Army membership.

The working group hopes that we hear ideas of how to shape a radical vision of belonging, discipleship and membership. 

The working party has looked at scriptural foundations but nowhere is there a mention of theology or doctine. In my view theology should drive doctrine although sadly this seemed not to be the view of General Peddle in his infamous Vancouver speech.  A key element in the working party's recommendations has  to be to dismantle the fundamentalist theology and interpretation of doctrine which denies full inclusion on the basis of sexual orientation.