School closed over gay message

[gruber]

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sc...430-1xv50.html

A SEVENTH Day Adventist church has closed down a language school for international students, migrants and refugees because its founder publicly supported gay marriage.

Gateway Adventist Centre, the church's university outreach, closed the English-language school on April 15 as soon as its leadership became aware of Keith Paulusse's support for gay marriage, published on his Facebook page, Mr Paulusse said yesterday.

''Recently I noticed you have been getting involved with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues, that is a concern to me personally. Directing your energy to soul winning will be more profitable, e.g. getting Bible students and bringing them step by step to Jesus.''

[Fearless]

As I mentioned in another thread today. I would like to know what caused him to be arrested by Police! I have worked along side of Police on a number of occasions and often they either won't act unless there is good cause to or they usually try to find a peaceful resolution.

I guess some felt he needed to be gagged but how it escalated to an arrest sounds a bit extreme to me!

[I_FH]

Sounds like he wouldn't go quietly and had to be removed. It looks bad but it's a religious school. What did he expect?

[Fearless]

Originally Posted by I_FH

Sounds like he wouldn't go quietly and had to be removed. It looks bad but it's a religious school. What did he expect?

Judge and Jury?

Obviously there are a whole load of outstanding facts we don't know about so I guess speculating would be unfair.

I am just saying though, if I was innocent of allegations (that I was a paedophile) but was being treated as guilty, ejected and made a fool of in front of a group of people in a school I had founded I might not go so quietly either. I guess we'll wait and see when/if the facts come out.

[Logic please]

Originally Posted by I_FH

Sounds like he wouldn't go quietly and had to be removed. It looks bad but it's a religious school. What did he expect?

I'd like to see a few more answers before making that call, meself. For starters, like:

I guess he and all the other teachers are employees? If so, how was the information on his personal FaceCrack page impacting his job performance, if at all? Had he actually contravened some employment condition, for instance by promulgating it in the course of employment?

Why was the entire school closed, rather than merely seeking to remove the founder? Seems a pretty *uncharitable* thing to do, potentially leaving the student body, including refugees, high and dry because of this.

Was the school closed to avoid any potential for a claim of unfair dismissal or discrimination in employment, on the part of the teachers?

And it's not a "religious school" per se, but more accurately:

Originally Posted by The Age article

a language school for international students, migrants and refugees

...being run by a religious organisation. Bit of a difference, methinks. Given this, the comment in the elder's email:

Directing your energy to soul winning will be more profitable, e.g. getting Bible students and bringing them step by step to Jesus.

is more revealing that they might have wished. They don't appear to have reminded him to direct his energies to teaching laungages, have they? Isn't that what the school is meant to be doing? And the use of the word "profitable" in that context is pretty bloody revealing, too... whoops.

True motives revealed, and genuine altruism be damned, apparently.

I can't speak to provenence, but there is a little more background info here, including some of the alleged FaceSpace postings.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

heh... "will be more profitable..."

Now that's what Jesus is all about, right? Right?

[I_FH]

Originally Posted by Logic please

I'd like to see a few more answers before making that call, meself. For starters, like:

I guess he and all the other teachers are employees? If so, how was the information on his personal FaceCrack page impacting his job performance, if at all? Had he actually contravened some employment condition, for instance by promulgating it in the course of employment?

It's quite common for your Facebook page to be considered at a job interview. Many employers now have social media guidelines as well. It's becoming almost standard these days.
Moral. Privacy settings on Facebook are important and think before you post.

[Treemeadow]

I must advocate on behalf of the wider SDA church, of whom my family are members, and of which I am a former member ( I am now a Unitarian based on belief) I am queer. I have gay friends and family members who are still active in the SDA church. My father- a pro-marriage equality PASTOR believes that Church-matters and State-matters do not mix. He thinks the lot of them down at Gateway need to grow up.

The SDA church in question is known to be a very conservative church. Even amongst the Political Right in our community. I know for a fact that churches near me not only tolerate Gay people, but actively incorporate them into Church life.

Just a few weeks ago I attended a viewing of a fabulous documentary- Seventh-Gay Adventists, highlighting the journey of 3 gay people and their experience in the Church. One of whom was accepted whole-heartedly into her Church, along with her partner and their daughters. They were even made leaders of the Children's club- Adventurers.

Not all Adventists are this heartless. This has sent shockwaves through our community too. The actions of this one church should in no way be a reflection on the larger SDA community.

PLEASE don't assume the actions of one church are the very same beliefs of the whole bunch of us! To assume such is to show the same ignorance that Mr Wong of Gateway Adventist Centre has shown.

As for Sanitarium. People are saying they want to boycott. Sanitarium is owned by the SDA church, BUT it is self-governed. The actions of ONE church are not the position of the food company. But boycott if you want to. Maybe it will result in disciplinary action on Gateway. The Church-at-large probably won't be impressed with them.

[Centauri]

The bible instructs us to kill gay people.

The Jesus character of the bible said that all scripture must be upheld and followed.

Sorry, but you are turning a blind eye to the disgusting teachings of your book.

[Fearless]

Hi Treemeadow, several of my family members are in the SDA, my mother being one.

I think one thing needs to be clarified. The SDA church 'tolerate' homosexuals in that they can attend church sermons, but they must promise that they remain celibate as long as they are involved.

As for Sanitarium, they stress their profits go to ADRA but I am not getting far trying to find what percentage of their profit goes directly to their charity. There are a lot of SDA elders and Sanitarium management driving some very nice cars around. They have been accused on a number of occasions of employing SDA's over other job applicants.

I will agree as far as religions go they are generally passive, but they are fanatical, overly traditional and a little obsessive.