HELPING MARGINALISED PEOPLE: Captain Greg Saunders. 0104mlsalvos
ORANGE Salvation Army Captain Greg Saunders has urged people not to get caught up in the hysteria surrounding the Salvation Army’s declaration that homosexuality is an unacceptable urge.
After the Salvation Army’s online statement on homosexuality pro-gay lobbyists have called for a boycott of the high profile charity.
Captain Saunders pleaded with people in the community to look past the hype.
“I’m asking for compassion for us,” he said.
Captain Saunders said The Salvation Army is not anti gay.
“The word anti gay is incorrect for a start, the Salvation Army policy is not anti gay” he said.
“People need to be sensitive about where we are coming from.”
Captain Saunders said he believed in the covenant of marriage but when it comes to services, the Salvation Army would not discriminate against anybody in need.
“We see marriage as a holy covenant with God,” he said.
“”Our mission is to help those who are disadvantaged.”
Captain Saunders said the Salvation Army would weather the storm and continue to help those in need.
“The worst thing that could happen is people get caught up in the hysteria,” he said.
“Our view is that everybody needs to be treated with respect and dignity.”
Captain Saunders said the saddest part about the issue was that it has divided the community.
“If it is used to separate one from another then that is the vice,” he said.
Captain Saunders said that the actions of salvationists speak louder than words.
“I hope people will see most salvationists dedicate their lives to other people,” he said.
The Salvation Army released a statement regarding its position on homosexuality.
The statement said people should look at how an organisation treats and deals with members of the community who are marginalised, vulnerable, experiencing disadvantage or oppression as a more appropriate measure of who to support.
The statement said the Salvation Army is one of the most compassionate and non-discriminatory groups in the way it works with people who are marginalised in our community, including many people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.