The Salvation Army have issued a new statement revising their support for the Safe Schools Coalition anti-bullying program.
Just weeks after the organisation’s Victorian branch released a statement declaring their support for the embattled program, a new “national statement” has called on the program to be reworked.
“The Salvation Army cannot unconditionally support the Safe Schools programs in Australia in their current form. We believe there needs to be consideration and refinement to the scope and form of implementation.” the new statement declares.
Back in November the Salvation Army said they’d reviewed the program and supported it’s content.
Major Dr Geoff Webb from the Salvation Army said the programs materials were consistent with the aims of the program.
“Our social policy unit has reviewed the official teaching resources provided by the Safe Schools Coalition and the four official guidelines. It has also studied the independent review commissioned by the Australian government, together with other materials,” Major Webb said.
The religious organisation said that their research showed that the negative claims made about the program had no basis in reality.
“None of the negative claims made about the program accurately reflect anything in the official materials reviewed.”
“Our findings are consistent with the government’s review,” Major Webb said, “and the resource All of Us is consistent with the aims of the program, is suitable, robust, age-appropriate, educationally sound and aligned with the Australian Curriculum.”
Many people were surprised to see the organisation supporting the program and welcomed their progressive stance. The support however seems to have fallen away quite quickly.
The day after the original statement was released it was moved to another section of the organisation’s website, and now a new policy position has been announced.
Now the Salvation Army has reworked their stance, while they are still applauding the aims of the program that aims to reduce bullying of LGBTIQ students, they also now voice concerns.
The Salvos now say they want to work with both state and the federal government to develop a new anti-bullying program that addresses all forms of bullying in schools.
The Australian has reported that Victorian Liberal MPs met with the organisation recently regarding their support for the program, and that the organisation was inundated with complaints after they announced their initial support.
Nick Wakeling, the Victorian opposition’s Education spokesman told The Australian that people should bot be concerned that the Salvation Army had changed it’s mind.
“I don’t think the issue here is so much about the Salvation Army changing its position,’’ Wakeling said.
“What it really demonstrates is that this toxic program has little or no support in the wider community.’’
Author and social commentator Bill Muehlenberg has welcomed the Salvation Army’s decision to qualify their support.
The conservative author said the program was; “A filthy and perverted pro-homosexual indoctrination program…” Muehlenberg said the Salvation Army should never have showed any support for it in the first place.
OIP Staff
