In early British times The Salvation Army led the way on the 'phossy jaw' campaign. Have you ever read on a box of matches 'safety' matches and wondered what it meant? It doesn't mean that these matches are safer to use or safe to play with :) It means that those that were involved in making these matches are safer from the bad chemicals they used to make matches out of.
The Salvation Army led the way on one of the first WorkSafe cases! Matches used to be made with white phosphorous, the vapour from this chemical would cause terrible harm, especially to the children that were involved in making and selling these matches. The Salvation Army believed this was wrong and campaigned against using that chemical, saving the lives of countless people in England!
The Salvation Army has also taken a key role in being proactive around issues such as HIV and AIDS, fair trade and human trafficking.
If you would like to know more about these responses The Salvation Army has taken against social evils in the world you could read a book called Booth's Drum. Or for something more recent you could try a book called Challenging Evil which is all about radical social justice acts that Salvationists have done throughout history. Ask your Corps Officer or Youth Leader how you could get your hands on a copy of either book. Or watch the Boundless Salvation DVDs (again see your Corps Officer or Youth Leader) for lots of really good stories throughout history of the Salvation Army and Social Justice.
It is clear that The Salvation Army has succeeded in certain campaigns even when it means initially doing what no one else is currently doing. Seeing a need in a community and taking action on it is what The Salvation Army have done best throughout history. This happens when Salvationists (like you and me) see a fit between a particular issue and the demand of our faith. For example when we see a need for greater respect for people or for justice as the bible and the example of Jesus has taught us. In Australia we call this a 'fair go'. Tackling the harm that alcohol causes in Australia could be one of these issues.
There are many aspects of the way that alcohol is advertised and the way that people drink it which is not just harmful but it is simply unjust and wrong. Ordinary people, especially young people like you and your friends, are actually unable to make careful, rational decisions about alcohol. There are potentially enormous consequences and we don't have all of the knowledge or power to make these decisions wisely. In many ways the 'system' is against people like us because of the power of advertising, the addictive nature of the product of alcohol and government decisions which allow continuous and excessive drinking. Not to mention, the government allows alcohol to be promoted as widely as possible to as many different people as possible, far more than any other addictive substance (like cigarettes for example).
Something to think about this week: Do you drink alcohol? If you do, do you think you drink too much? Why do you think you do? Does advertising and peer pressure have a lot to do with it? What about the Australian culture? Do you think this is a social justice issue?
Think about it. Pray about it!
(Information sourced for this post is sourced from The Salvation Army Alcohol Culture Initiative Learning Module)
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