On honesty and trust
When, after careful consideration and after thinking through the pros and cons on the issue of interviews, we eventually turned down the Cold Facts team’s offer an interview with someone from within The Salvation Army's leadership; we took for granted that our decision would be accepted and respected. The (our position) reason was that a pre-recorded interview is often crudely edited; edited and pasted into the program with words often used out of context, and SA leadership is not interested in contributing to such programming (drama).
# 1 Spontaneous Visit - The Salvation Army headquarters in Stockholm
On March 31, 2011, a reporter and a cameraman (Cold Facts – TV team) entered our headquarters unannounced on Nybrogatan seeking to meet with the ‘information officer’ or someone from The Salvation Army's leadership.
The receptionist asked if they had an appointment and she received a negative answer, and as a consequence they were not allowed in (any further), through the security door.
They then, (instead) asked the receptionist, "what is your view on homosexuality?", to which she replied that she did not want to answer any questions. The team remained in the entrance area staying inside the front door, but outside the security door and video taped everything that occurred inside, through the glass wall. They also asked the same question of a visitor who temporarily visited the premises, whereupon the simple reply was, 'I do not work here' and continued past them (the TV crew).
# 2 Spontaneous Visit – ‘they’ (TV 4) also traveled to London
On Friday, 1 April, a reporter and cameraman from Cold Facts entered The Salvation Army's International Headquarters in London. The same thing occurred there.
Cold Facts had on a previous occasion demanded an interview with the General or anyone within the senior international management who had earlier, via e-mail declined a request for an interview.
A reporter had also had a lengthy telephone conversation with the Communications Director at International Headquarters, Laurie Robertson, who reiterated several times that, ‘there will be no interview’, but (instead) he referred him (them) to The Salvation Army in Sweden, who have responsibility for operations in Sweden, and (who) will determine how they would respond.
When the film crew came to the IHK in London they informed the receptionist that they had an appointment with Laurie Robertson, which was not true.
When Laurie was confronted with the film crew from Cold Facts, it wasn’t long before they began asking him about ‘homosexuality’. (TSA position)
The point is that Cold Facts have received answers to all the questions about the Salvation Army's position on this issue in writing via email.
In addition they (our positions) are also available on our website, where we have previously published five articles about their investigative reporting and posted all the material openly on the website.
They claimed, among other things, that The Salvation Army in certain countries has contributed to the jailing of homosexuals. This is something that neither Laurie Robertson or any of us here know anything about and we wonder from where they are collecting this information. They had difficulty understanding (accepting) that there would be no interview with anyone at International Headquarters.
# 3 visit - the Annual meeting of the Swedish Evangelical Alliance
Cold Facts closely monitored the annual meeting of the Swedish Evangelical Alliance, among other things with a intent to secure an interview with Marie Willermark, although she had already declined their offer. In that Cold Facts had announced their intention to be present many members chose to stay home even though they were officially registered to attend the annual meeting. In that sense, one could claim that investigative journalism intervenes in the democratic process, since the annual meeting would have been affected by reduced participation and engagement (interaction).
It's not surprising that not all people want to participate in a television broadcast, regardless of the content, and consequently refrain from attending (the conference). The Cold Facts’ film crew huddled outside the premises for nearly four hours and asked various questions of the visitors.
With reference to this intrusion and Cold Facts’ method of working, Tuve Skånberg Director of Claphaminstitute wrote a column in the magazine The World Today on April 11.
Link: http://www.varldenidag.se/opinion/kommentar/2011/04/11/Vem-ska-granska-granskaren/
Subsequent to the Cold Facts spontaneous visit to the headquarters here in Stockholm, I wrote this email to Cold Facts;
2011-03-31 from The Salvation Army
I heard that you sought me, or someone in leadership yesterday and that we were not available.
As you already know, please feel free to ask your questions by e-mail and that's also the (only) venue by which I will answer your questions. I'm really busy with other matters most of my working hours, so please use email or voicemail. It is the only way to reach me.
Someone told me that you asked both the receptionist and a visitor who left our building, “what is your view on homosexuality? "
I had not perceived or understood from the questions you posed to me to date that this very issue is of such focus to you. Why have you not told me?
And what further questions on the subject that I have not already answered might you have?
It would also be interesting to know what your program is supposed to be about, that is, have we done something wrong, something reprehensible or criminal?
Usually, Cold Facts takes on just such cases. I think that now, after nearly three months of contacts with me, that you ought to present the (your) true focus/concern, so that we can address this. I have been honest with you, but I do not see quite the same attitude on your part.
Or, as journalists say, What have you got to hide? :)
Sincerely,
No response in three weeks - I sent a reminder
Nearly three weeks later, I had not yet received a reply to this email, so I sent a reminder,
2011-04-18 from Salvation Army
Hello (informal),
It has now been a few weeks since we heard from each other. Since I received no reply to e-mail that I sent on 31 / 3, I wonder again if you would like to clear up the questions that I raised, and if you know anything more about when the program will be broadcast.
Kind regards,
Answer from Cold Fact the day after, with our response to this.
The day after came the following e-mail and here is also our response to this.
2011-04-19 from Cold Facts and response from The Salvation Army
Hi,
Cold Facts:
We are continuing with the program and it is expected to be broadcast in a few weeks. You have promised openness and transparency yet you still do not want anyone in leadership to be interviewed. This is not acceptable in that you are an organization that receives public funding and is a major recipient of public charity. Shouldn’t the public know where you stand and why?
Salvation Army:
We are extremely grateful for the favorable reception/ esteem which the public has/ holds for the Salvation Army and are happy that we can carry out all the activities thanks to the numerous donations that makes such a difference to many suffering/ vulnerable people. We report all income through standard acceptable procedures, such as audited annual financial reports.
Of course, our leaders are agreeable to granting an interview, but not on the conditions that you previously stipulated. Our conditions for making ourselves available are that our leadership be allowed to view the entire program in its final edited format, and that we be able to discuss (internally) with each other about the program and thereafter that (Commissioner) Marie Willermark be allowed to answer select/ certain questions about the program and that the interview portion be broadcast unedited and uncut immediately following your broadcast (as a part) of the program.
Cold Facts:
Our desire is still that someone from management/ leadership will participate in an interview, but since you chose not to do so we will send our remaining questions via email. We would be grateful for a quick reply.
Salvation Army:
You have received answers to any questions you have posed and we see no real reason for our leadership to participate in any interview and wonder what answers they would provide that you have not already received. But as I said, if you are interested in an interview based on our conditions, get back to us.
Cold Facts:
Why are you a member of the Swedish Evangelical Alliance?
Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is not a member as a denomination (or as a religious community) in the Swedish Evangelical Alliance. It is an association of individuals and membership is personal. People and churches have met thousands of years to have a dialogue of how faith and one’s life experience should be applied in contemporary times and some members of the Salvation Army are also associated in this context.
Cold Facts:
Why will no one from leadership agree to an interview?
Salvation Army:
We have answered this question before. You have posed questions about this for four months now and I have answered (all) your questions. If there are any further questions then revert as usual via email. Note, we have reasoned (discussed internally) this matter and can see a solution under the conditions I have outlined above.
Cold Facts:
Why are you against abortion for women?
Salvation Army:
In all questions concerning life's beginning and end, we want to be in the midst of, and support people’s positions relative to respecting life as a sacred gift from God. We know that this can be considered a bit old fashioned, but we also know that many people in our country share our values. Valuing life as a sacred gift from God means that we are not opposed to abortion in certain cases.
Cold Facts:
Why are you opposed to euthanasia in health care?
Salvation Army:
Active euthanasia is illegal and a controversial issue in medical ethics. See above.
Cold Facts:
Why is it written in your instruction manual, "Junior soldiers 'promises' that children and young people learn that homosexuality is wrong?
Salvation Army:
The wording may be seen as being ‘different’. (clumsy/awkward) The material in its entirety is old and is now being reviewed and updated.
Cold Facts:
Several of your corps officers (Pastors) think it is possible to free a person from their homosexuality through counseling and prayer, what do you think about it?
Salvation Army:
Here you have probably experienced some personal opinions from some of our officers. A corps leader’s mandate includes the provision of pastoral care. In counseling there are deep, personal (private) and confidential issues. As communities, we point out that the one who gives spiritual guidance can only help a person up to one’s (their) own choice (acceptance), regardless of the subject of study.
How the grace of God appears/ presents itself to those who talk about their sexual identity, we can (neither presume nor) predict. It is an individual and often complex (issue) and must be treated respectfully in prayer and through sharing/ counseling.
Cold Facts:
Why are you working politically against giving homosexuals the same rights as others? (Eg, have you not been against gay adoptions, gay marriage and against including gays as subject to the law on incitement of racial hatred)
Salvation Army:
On the issue of gay adoptions, we share the view with many other organizations, including non-church organizations in our country. Our position on same sex marriage is rooted in our interpretation of the biblical view of marriage, which is defined/ limited to ‘one man and one woman’. In the case of gays and the law on incitement to racial hatred, I don’t believe we have made efforts against this (been a part of such a movement). The law on incitement to racial hatred should obviously apply to all people. We are constantly seeking to innovate and improve our way of communicating what God's good news, the gospel, means (says to us) in our time.
Cold Facts:
Why have you removed the text of the Salvation Army's attitude to homosexuality from your website?
Salvation Army:
A strange question. Do you mean that we do not have the right to change the content of our website? When working with a review of our positions on ethical issues a year ago, we removed the old ethics document from our homepage. The new one is not yet in place, however, you have already received it and know its contents (wording in its entirety).
Cold Facts:
Do you think the Salvation Army operates on democratic principles as an organization?
Salvation Army:
Our structure is similar to that one encounters in a number of similar associations/ organizations. The important thing is what we as a church and social relief organization have to (and can) offer to those applicants seeking our assistance, our members and worshipers. The Salvation Army works on the premise that members and volunteers have influence over shaping the programs (ministry) to fulfill our mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and indiscriminately meet human needs in His name.
Cold Facts:
Why aren’t Salvationists allowed to ‘play for money’ (gamble/ bet) or drink alcohol?
Salvation Army:
Gambling and alcohol use have evolved into major social problems and personal tragedy for many people. William Booth recognized this already in 1865 when he founded The Salvation Army, among other things to help victims of abuse to redress and transform their lives through salvation in Jesus Christ. This remains a major social issue even today with many organizations active in efforts to combat abuse. This has been true ever since the popular movements and temperance organizations began one hundred and fifty years ago. Salvation Army soldiers have voluntarily chosen a lifestyle that is in solidarity with victims of abuse (gambling and alcohol).
Cold Facts:
Why do you post all ‘our’ questions (to you) on your website?
Salvation Army:
The answer to this is quite simple. It is the only way to create transparency and highlight what issues (questions) you have and create a larger context than the (eventual) Cold Facts’ limited (restrictive) TV program duration can provide. You have (control) all the power to edit your future programs as you wish. The publication on the website is our attempt to create a balance to your TV program, so that those who are interested in us can see the preliminary work that was performed. Posting this in the only mass medium available to us might also be regarded as; 'fair play'. You have, in spite of four months of contacts, still not spoken about/ mentioned what it is we are really being blamed for, or 'accused' of!
Cold Facts:
Why will not you give a more precise account of how much you receive in state or local government grants?
Salvation Army:
We have chosen an accepted way to account for this, namely through our annual report and in providing more detailed accounting to those authorities requesting/ requiring it.
In addition, we have decided not to expend any more working hours in an effort to provide you with more detailed information for use in your TV program.
Bert Åberg
e-post: bert.aberg@fralsningsarmen.se
Translation from the Swedish: Dr. Sven Ljungholm
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