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?
John there won’t be change. The problem all Christian denominations face is the organisation and their own sense of self importance (narcissism) is not only rife but far more important than the people they are meant to serve. Just as Booth left the Methodist church others are leaving The Salvation Army. While narcissism reigns and while Africa and India remain the status quo there will be no flexibility. I suggest the LGBTQ community and anyone else who’s facing resistance from them to take the advice of Jesus, wipe the dust off their feet and move on. Leave this old broken wine skin behind and drink from the brand new container of fresh beverage that God has already prepared for us.
ReplyDelete