The Salvation Army is distancing itself from comments made by a media director in Australia that have been seriously damaging the group’s already shaky reputation with the LGBT community. 

In an interview with a Melbourne radio station, Major Andrew Craib said that the inflammatory opinion that “homosexuals deserve to die” is part of the Salvation Army’s doctrine:

“Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error …

“They know God’s decree, that those who practise such things deserve to die — yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practise them.”

When asked for a response on why gay people deserve death, Major Craib said: “Well, that’s part of the belief system.”

“So we should die?” asked Ryan.

“You know, we have an alignment to the Scriptures but that’s our belief,” Major Craib said.

The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory has said that the comments represented a serious misunderstanding of the organization’s teaching. The organization itself says it does not endorse Major Craib’s comments. 

Though an apology from the organization was certainly necessary, it doesn’t erase the harm done by this person’s comments. For a representative of an international organization to say such hurtful and radical things is truly terrifying. Take your donations elsewhere.