Moral & Social Issues Council
MORAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Dealing with complex moral and social issues is an inherent part of day-to-day life. As people navigate these issues it is important to affirm and enhance the inherent dignity of each individual, as well as to fulfil God’s purpose in creating us.
The Salvation Army’s Moral and Social Issues Council (MASIC) seeks to promote respectful dialogue around controversial issues, not just amongst the Salvo family or the broader Christian church, but society at large. It takes the view that such dialogue is a crucial step to ensure that each of us is informed when we seek to reach a personal decision on such matters, to understand the perspectives and circumstances that others must deal with, and to facilitate the process of bringing each of us closer to God’s will and plan for us as individuals.
The Salvation Army, by its very nature, is a nurturing Christian movement that seeks through its ministry to develop each person’s relationships with God, with each other and with creation. As such, it is well known for the ways it helps people work through any issues that they face. Its ministry is holistic, meaning that it does not matter if help is needed in a practical (physical or emotional) or spiritual manner. The Salvation Army seeks to provide a Christian viewpoint on these issues, offering socially responsible, practical and ethical guidance for the community at large and to those who associate and worship with The Salvation Army.
MASIC exists to identify, study, advise on, and respond to moral and social issues about which The Salvation Army has a responsibility to form a view. This pertains particularly to those matters affecting the lives of all Australians, whether associated with The Salvation Army or not, but not only Australians. In all its deliberations, MASIC will consider the lives of people living elsewhere.
MASIC membership intentionally includes a wide range of experience in areas such as theology, the legal field, social services, health, biomedicine, education, and ministry. When needed, those with particular expertise are invited to consult with MASIC on specific matters. In grappling with moral and social issues, it collaborates with its international counterparts including the International MASIC. These deliberations result in the development of Positional Statements that are subject to approval by the General – the Army’s International Leader. It also produces Guidelines for Salvos and Discussion Papers for Salvos and the general public that are approved by the leaders in Australia. The latest versions in these groups are published in the respective sections below.