Moral and social issues

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Positional statements
Discussion documents
Taking a Stand
International Moral and Social Issues Council

Positional statements

A positional statement is an articulation, crafted with careful and prayerful thought, of the official viewpoint of The Salvation Army.

As well as stating the position, each document expresses the scriptural and theological grounds for the statement and the underlying principles. They must be approved by the General before publication.

How do the statements apply?

As the official position of The Salvation Army, officers and others representing The Salvation Army must speak consistent with the position. Individual Salvationists may hold different views on some subjects and acceptance of position is not essential to membership.

The positional statements are subject to periodic review, and therefore represent the considered view of The Salvation Army on a subject at a certain point in time.

Who are the statements for?

The Salvation Army recognises that many people do not share the same perspective and does not discriminate against those who do not when providing care.

The positional statements are intended to provide information and guidance to members of The Salvation Army. They are public documents available to anyone who is interested in the official view of The Salvation Army on a particular subject.

International Positional Statement: Abortion

The Salvation Army believes all people are created in the image of God and therefore have unique and intrinsic value. Human life is sacred and all...

International Positional Statement: Alcohol in Society

The Salvation Army encourages an alcohol free lifestyle as a way of enhancing the wellbeing and health of all people. As a witness to this, Salvation...

International Positional Statement: Ancestral Worship

There is a wide range of cultural understandings of the relationship to ancestors. The Salvation Army upholds that God alone is to be worshipped.

International Positional Statement: Caring for the Environment

The Salvation Army believes people are made in the image of God. He has entrusted us to reflect his personality by caring for the Earth and everything...

International Positional Statement: Corruption

The Salvation Army strongly condemns corruption in its entirety.

International Positional Statement: Death Penalty

The death penalty is a practice whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for crime. The Salvation Army affirms the responsibility...

International Positional Statement: Domestic Abuse

The Salvation Army is opposed to domestic abuse and any worldview that normalises such attitudes or behaviour. Every instance of abuse or violence is...

International Positional Statement: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

The Salvation Army believes strongly that all people deserve compassion and care in their suffering and dying. Euthanasia and assisted suicide should...

International Positional Statement: Gambling

The Salvation Army is opposed to gambling. The nature of gambling lends itself to exploitative, deceptive and manipulative practices. It is contrary...

Modern slavery and human trafficking

International Positional Statement: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

The Salvation Army is deeply committed to fighting modern slavery and human trafficking. Modern slavery is an umbrella term including human...

International Positional Statement: Peacemaking

The Salvation Army believes it is God’s intention for all people in all their relationships to experience peace that is just, sustainable and leads to...

International Positional Statement: Persons with Disabilities

All people are made in the image of God and are of equal intrinsic value. Thus, The Salvation Army celebrates difference and seeks to treat all people...

International Positional Statement: Pornography

The Salvation Army believes that all persons are created in God’s image and affirms the sanctity of the human body and relationships, based on the...

International Positional Statement: Racism

Racism is the belief that races have distinctive cultural characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with an...

International Positional Statement: Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The Salvation Army is gravely concerned for the needs of the millions of people who are refugees and asylum seekers. People are fleeing their homes...

International Positional Statement: Sabbath Observance

The Salvation Army values and proclaims the scriptural teaching that God, our Creator, established a rhythm of life for our benefit. This is reflected...

International Positional Statement: Sexism

Sexism is discrimination based on sex or gender, most often against women and girls and is increasingly understood as a fundamental human rights issue...

International Positional Statement: Suicide Prevention

The Salvation Army believes that life is a sacred gift from God and all people are made in the image of God and are of equal intrinsic value. Because...

International Positional Statement: The Salvation Army and the State

The Salvation Army is politically nonpartisan. Although it seeks to influence governmental and public affairs, it will not promote or endorse specific...

International Positional Statement: The Use of Power

The Salvation Army believes that power is neither good nor evil in itself. It is, rather, the purposes to which power is applied and the manner in...

Discussion documents

International Discussion Documents aim is to stimulate personal reflection rather than to provide conclusive positions. The hope is that these documents will better equip Salvationists to contribute towards broader dialogue or help inform personal choices related to the issue.

Discussion Document: Reproductive Technologies

The Salvation Army has developed this discussion document to help reflect on matters related to reproductive technologies.

Discussion Document: Living Faith in the Economy

The Bible views all of life as an integrated whole.

Taking a Stand

Members of the International Moral and Social Issues Council reflect on the international positional statements in the light of the realities and challenges they face within their cultures.

Read the articles

International Moral and Social Issues Council

The International Moral and Social Issues Council (IMASIC) is the body of The Salvation Army that advises the General and recommends statements of official position on contemporary moral and social issues.

Chaired by Colonel (Dr) Wendy Swan, IMASIC is comprised of Salvation Army officers and soldiers from all over the world. These officers and soldiers are appointed by the General and usually embody a specific expertise. The Council may also call upon expertise from outside The Salvation Army when necessary.

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