LGBT Parenting a death sentence with Salvation Army

Senior Salvation Army officials go on record that LGBT parents should be put to death, as the Bible instructs. Major Andrew Craibe, a Salvation Army Media Relations Director, went on public radio hosted by queer journalist Serena Ryan to discuss a recent call by LGBT parents for a boycott of the nonprofit for its anti-gay policies and beliefs.

Ryan questioned Craibe about Salvation Story: Salvationist Handbook of Doctrine , the manual used to train Salvation Army “soldiers” and members. Several chapters refer to the sin of homosexuality, including a section that cites Romans 1:18-32, which includes a admonition that homosexuals “deserved to die”:

Ryan: According to the Salvation Army, [gay parents] deserve death. How do you respond to that, as part of your doctrine?

Craibe: Well, that’s a part of our belief system.

Ryan: So they should die.

Craibe: You know, we have an alignment to the Scriptures, but that’s our belief.

Ryan: You’re proposing in your doctrine that because these parents are gay, that they must die.

Craibe: Well, well, because that is part of our Christian doctrine –

Ryan: But how is that Christian? Shouldn’t it be about love?

Craibe: Well, the love that we would show is about that: consideration for all human beings to come to know salvation…

Ryan Or die…

Craibe: Well, yes.

Major Bruce Harmer, the Army’s Communications and Public Relations Secretary recently issued the following passage from the group’s FAQ:

The Salvation Army encompasses a diverse community with a wide range of opinions on human sexuality and other subjects. The senior leadership of The Salvation Army continues to reflect on Christian and Biblical tradition, and especially on the themes of justice and mercy, to further deepen the understandings of our own members and build a more healthy relationship with the GLBT community. We pledge to continue to offer services to all and to treat each person with dignity, respect and non-discrimination.

Please, don’t give us the non-apology apology, Major Harmer (how’s that for a fitting name?) We practically invented it. If you choose to believe the Major that the Salvation Army doesn’t hold any animus toward the LGBT community, that’s your choice. Me, I'm gonna donate my old shmatas to Goodwill.