There’s been a lot going on in my little part of the Great Lit. Among the things swirling through my fingers is a blog that is homophobic and full of hate speech.
One of my main objections to their inane biblical posturing is that the hate speech around peoples sexuality may encourage young people to be self-loathing, cause untold emotional damage (some of them will even grow up in the faith and try to become rabbis or priests) and may well lead to suicide.
In fact:
GLBT people are up to 14 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts and are more likely to perform acts of self-harm.
I’m delighted to see that Suicide Prevention Australia have launched a new position statement on suicide and self harm among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities. There’s a lot of good stuff in their 13 page document including this little ripper of a recommendation:
For progress to occur, heterosexism, homophobia and transphobia must be addressed at the interpersonal, sociocultural, and institutional level. This will require a comprehensive approach, ranging from community education campaigns through to legislative measures to end discrimination in all areas (including marriage and parenting rights).
See that – they want to end discrimination in all areas. That would include nutters that continue to use religion as a weapon to spew forth hatred and vilify gay people. Like the Salvation Army. Their position statement (Page 13 – it’s a PDF) on Sexuality, and more particularly homosexuality includes these little gems:
Homosexual practice, however, is, in the light of Scripture, clearly unacceptable. Such activity is
chosen behaviour and is thus a matter of the will. It is therefore able to be directed or restrained in
the same way heterosexual urges are controlled. Homosexual practice would render any person
ineligible for full membership (soldiership) in the Army. However, practising homosexuals are
welcome to worship with, and join in the fellowship of The Salvation Army.
They then go on to quote the nasty bits of the bible.
It would seem that the National Secretary of Suicide Prevention Australia is one Alan Staines; he’s a member of the Salvation Army. I wonder how he manages to walk that fine line between the position statement of the Salvation Army and the new position statement of Suicide Prevention Australia. I can only hope that he is working just as hard with the Salvos to turn their attitude around too.