Update: The Salvos' statement about gay people has now been removed from their website... it says "under review" instead. Amazing what a single tweet from a celeb can do! x

I was sent to the salvos 3yrs ago to do work for the dole they told me to go elsewhere as I didnt suit their ideals. I went to lifeline they were so nice.

Darren Hayes would be better to focus his attention on The Salt Shakers, you only need to view there website to know why: http://saltshakers.org.au/

This is more than what I've donated to the Salvation Army in the last 25 years:

Quote:

Originally Posted by badtrany

I was sent to the salvos 3yrs ago to do work for the dole they told me to go elsewhere as I didnt suit their ideals. I went to lifeline they were so nice.

well after reading that badtrany fuck em !

Every week I drop a few $'s into the Salvo's at Circular Quay and I am talking a lot of years.

Not anymore.

Will look at alternatives.

This is what I mean by a list of Companies/Org's that do this sort of stuff. Not a problem to spend the $'s with supportive
Companies/Org's.

It is true that there are more liberal salvos and more conservative salvos, this exists in all organisations. You would expect the Labor Party to be full of progressive people, even Julia Gillard (an atheist) but she will be voting against same sex marriage.

Every Friday night for the last 5 years I have attended Friday night church at the Salvation Army's Streetlevel church, which is on Crown Street in Surry Hills. There is an amazing diversity of people there from straight people, gay people, trannys and everyone in between.

You'll find that even Carmen Rupe, the Queen of Queens, attended church at Streetlevel every Friday night, evidence of this would be the Oasis Documentary. If you fast forward this YouTube link to 3 minutes and 17 seconds you will see her: /watch?v=iuoMrtJFsKE

I am a gay man, I do not support the current position statement of the Salvation Army when it comes to homosexuality, but I am not going to judge an entire organisation based on a statement which was likely written by a bunch of men and women who likely never leave their office and visit the front lines.

I also believe that they were reviewing their position statement in light of the debate surrounding the same sex marriage legislation and not because of some tweet from this has been singer who has likely never lifted a finger in his life to help a person in need.

the salvos do a lot of good work but I refuse to give my money or support any organisation that is anti GBLTI.

I've always admired the Salvation Army for it's charity work, and would willingly give it much credit for it, regardless of it's outdated views on homosexuality and the fact that they believe in fairytales etc. I compare the Salvation Army to the catholic church, and the Salvo's always come up above the Catholics. I'm sure they take their views on charity from the teaching of Jesus. If I were to advise them on this situation, I'd tell them to look at the love Jesus had for his fellow man, as well as the messages he spoke of about love for they neighbour and thy enemy, and to allow for same sex couples to be accepted into society as equals and not pariahs. (fuck after re-reading this I realise how much I sound like a christian in it)


Lol don't worry folks, still an atheist.

The Salvation Army is entitled to their homophobic views providing that:

* They clearly display their beliefs on all store windows and charity bins
* They do not accept tax payers money - GLBTI do pay taxes

In a country that prides itself on accepting foreign culture and religion it is insulting that same sex couples are still facing discrimination by sections of the community and by our political leaders.

It is not a matter of acceptance it is a matter of tolerance!

If I can tolerate heterosexuals, religion, divorces and multiculturalism then those from such backgrounds should tolerate the right for same sex couples to get married regardless of their values.

I used to do work for the dole for the Salvos. I was told to keep quiet about my sexuality. We were also only allowed to play christian "rock" in the shop. There were also a few sus goings on - not gay related, other crap. My opinion of Salvos really went down after working for them.

I can't agree that this is a matter of tolerance over acceptance. That only suggests that they still disapprove, dislike, hate us. They must come to accept us as normal members of society, not just tolerate us.


Although I wonder if you had this discussion the wrong way around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marko

I've always admired the Salvation Army for it's charity work, and would willingly give it much credit for it, regardless of it's outdated views on homosexuality and the fact that they believe in fairytales etc. I compare the Salvation Army to the catholic church, and the Salvo's always come up above the Catholics. I'm sure they take their views on charity from the teaching of Jesus. If I were to advise them on this situation, I'd tell them to look at the love Jesus had for his fellow man, as well as the messages he spoke of about love for they neighbour and thy enemy, and to allow for same sex couples to be accepted into society as equals and not pariahs. (fuck after re-reading this I realise how much I sound like a christian in it)


Lol don't worry folks, still an atheist.

Dont be so mean to the Catholic Church :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellsforher

My opinion of Salvos really went down after working for them.

ditto

i spent a cpl of years in th early 90s working in their AOD rehab centres and have zero time or respect for them, and whilst places such as oasis provide a much needed service to homeless young ppl th christian subtext that comes with it is both unnecessary and unwarranted

there are prolly some good ppl who are salvationists however, their 'mission' (among other things) is to 'bring ppl to jesus' (im paraphrasing but u get th idea) and unfortunately, when dealing with ppl who often get supreme court bail to get into their AOD rehab centres or are young homeless ppl @ oasis and similar centres, ur talking about some of th most marginalised and vulnerable ppl and its not ok (in my opinion) to indoctrinate them with th jesus subtext

for each 'soul' that a sal. army officer 'saves' it guarentees that officers 'place in heaven' 1 ladder up th rung - are they really trying to help th vulnerable or guarentee their own place in 'heaven'

and i witnessed a cpl of ppl be told that jesus could help them with their 'gayness'

and it was made real clear to me to be 'discreet' - needless to say once i had some education and a cpl of years of work history under my belt (which previously didnt exist) i was out of there

and i will never go back

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zepol23

Dont be so mean to the Catholic Church :P

the have the vinnies and caritas

I've also worked for Vinnies and they are religious too but I never felt any phobic pressure from them. The only time that was a little weird was the lords prayer during lunch. But they are much more open than Salvos. Those fuckers wouldn't even loan me $5 to get a taxi home when I got a migraine one day. So I threw up on their floor. There are some good charities out there - I'd love to donate to Plan if i had the cash - they do a similar thing to World Vision, but they aren't affiliated with any religion.
BTW all this Salvos/Vinnies stuff I was involved in was about 12 years ago.

why is it tolerated???

if I hung a sign outside my organisation and excluded all balck people or interracial people or owmen etc it would'nt be tolerated. why is it ok to be that way against us?

I refuse to tolerate and support anyone with this view. it is an outrage and deeply offensive.

its like if I were racist but I helped the poor. one kind act doesn't wipe away a bad one.

They wern't accepting of homosexuality but they seem very happy to accept donations from homosexuals.

Next time theres a Red Sheild doorknock appeal I'll politely say "Im a homosexual, a live a sinful lifestyle that your organisation does not approve of, Im terribly sorry my well sought after donation is simply not good enough Goodbye" ****Slams Door****.

Most organisations back 50 years ago were anti-GLBTIQ, and even 20 years ago most were anti-GLBTIQ.

The Salvation Army's position statement was written back in 1992 which was ages ago and I am very sure a great many salvos do not hold those opinions, and I will await their revised position statement.

It isn't just religious groups either, even secular charities discriminate. Gay men cannot donate blood to the Red Cross, even if two men are in a committed relationship and practice safe sex.

I refuse to donate to the Red Cross on the basis that if my gay blood is no good for them, then neither is my gay money. Looks like Salvo's are now in the same boat.
I wonder what other unfriendly charitable organisations are out there that should be avoided.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zepol23

Dont be so mean to the Catholic Church :P

Yeah the Catholic church doesn't seem to mind denying AID to health centres in africa that promote safe sex. I happen to find it disgusting that the worlds largest religious denomination continues to promote this holocaust like view. I mean fuckin look at Uganda, it has the largest rate of AIDS in Africa, and it could have easily been prevented by the promotion of the correct use of condoms. Which the Catholic church spoke against numerously!

It's no wonder that a certain member liked then disliked my comment. Seriously mate, grow the fuck up, we have had our differences in the past, yet I see no reason why we can't work it out!

We concur with Jason_'s sentiments below ... whilst the Salvation Army's (hopefully soon-to-be former) official position looks out-dated and frankly offensive to many of us, they are an organisation who have done incredible work supporting many within our community at their time of greatest need. Here in Surry Hills, Carmen maintained a great relationship with the Salvos over several decades and they in turn were always there for her, visiting regularly as her health began to deteriorate last year. That said, no one would be happier than us if the Salvation Army does ultimately adopt a far more progressive official position on this and similar issues

They may not discriminate based on need or who works for them but when it comes to backing gay couples in marriage equality its against their religion - Ill be donating elsewhere.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boyco...65987313428852

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marko

Yeah the Catholic church doesn't seem to mind denying AID to health centres in africa that promote safe sex. I happen to find it disgusting that the worlds largest religious denomination continues to promote this holocaust like view. I mean fuckin look at Uganda, it has the largest rate of AIDS in Africa, and it could have easily been prevented by the promotion of the correct use of condoms. Which the Catholic church spoke against numerously!

It's no wonder that a certain member liked then disliked my comment. Seriously mate, grow the fuck up, we have had our differences in the past, yet I see no reason why we can't work it out!

I do agree, however they do alot of good work too, like sunday bake sales!

Sad to see that on the website. I used to go to 'Street Level' for meals. Stopped going there because on 3 occassions was called names by patrons. One of the staff went & spoke to the guy but that was enough for me. After that I wrote a letter. No response. That was the only problem I have had with them and it was with the patrons. I meet some very kind staff & volunteers there and the meals were great.

I also got housing through a programme run by the Salvation Army. Which was a real god send. Hope the organisation changes their recorded stance. The sooner we can all respect each other the better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Khalsa

… each time I went there recieved verbal abuse…

what kind of abuse?

this is why i dont go to the salvos or st vincent de paul because of there views, and i believe the only organisations that i would go to for help is mission australia because they help LGBTI people and support them and the same goes for lifeline. i also really like acon as they do amazing work too.

When they decide to support the LGBT community they will be removed from the "The Homophobe Register" http://pinterest.com/robinzz3/the-homophobe-register/

The Salvation Army do an absolutely astounding job at caring for the marginalised and disadvantaged. Nobody disputes this. I wonder if their charitable works extend to those of us who are openly gay? There seems to be a disconnect here. Gays are marginalised and yet their ethos on the union of two loving souls through the benefit of marriage having to be only between a man and a woman is not inclusive.
If a lesbian who wanted to marry their partner was in dire circumstances would the Salvation Army deny them? It doesn't make sense to me. Exclusion based on marriage status or belief about same sex marriage is at odds with thew true essence of the Christian spirit. When the Bible is used as a tool for discrimination it bewilders me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidney89

this is why i dont go to the salvos or st vincent de paul because of there views, and i believe the only organisations that i would go to for help is mission australia …

Beggars can't be choosers, Sidney, but you pick and choose as to who's giving you a free meal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

Beggars can't be choosers, Sidney, but you pick and choose as to who's giving you a free meal.

That's a disgusting thing to say.