There's been a lot of press recently on DBS's announcement that it will donate up to $15000 to Focus on the Family (Singapore) based on festive redemptions. While no one could object to donating to a family-related cause, FotF (Singapore) is affiliated with the ultra-conservative, right-wing and evangelical Focus on the Family. To give you an idea of what that means keep reading ....
..... The following little snippets are taking directly from the FOTF website
Focus on the Family is dedicated to defending the honor, dignity and value of the two sexes as created in God's image – intentionally male and female – each bringing unique and complementary qualities to sexuality and relationships.
Sexuality is a glorious gift from God – meant to be offered back to Him either in marriage for procreation, union and mutual delight or in celibacy for undivided devotion to Christ.
Pro-gay revisionist theology violates God's intentional design for gender and sexuality.
We affirm God's design for sexual expression as between one man and one woman in the context of a lifelong, marital covenant.
We strenuously disagree with pro-gay revisionist theology as plainly contradictory to Scripture, historic and traditional Christian doctrine and the Judeo-Christian sexual ethic.
We oppose the ordination of non-celibate, self-identified homosexuals and the celebration of homoerotic sexuality as one of God's gifts.
One has to wonder if this means that DBS are making a public statement with respect to their support of these views. In the meantime there is a general push on for DBS card holders to switch their spending to another card and send a very clear message to DBS that such right wing views won't be tolerated by anyone with even the tiniest bit of intelligence.
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Normally once I post a blog I never go back and amend it since its really suppose to be a snapshot at a point in time. In this case however I am making an exception. Like many people I wrote to DBS to complain about their support of FOTF and received the response below. Proof that positive action can sometimes get results, and many thanks to DBS for taking the step back.
Dear Mr Barry
We thank you for your feedback and appreciate your concerns.
In line with DBS' corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts that are
geared towards supporting children and learning, several welfare
organisations that support similar causes were short-listed.
It was never the intention of the Bank to discriminate against any group
through this initiative. Nevertheless given feedback received, to
demonstrate that DBS believes in diversity and inclusion, with immediate
effect we will be removing the Christmas charity campaign.
DBS will continue to play its part to support the community at large,
and we hope to have your kind understanding and support.
Yours sincerely
Rena Leong
Assistant Vice President
Customer Care & Feedback Management
Consumer Banking Group Singapore
..... The following little snippets are taking directly from the FOTF website
Focus on the Family is dedicated to defending the honor, dignity and value of the two sexes as created in God's image – intentionally male and female – each bringing unique and complementary qualities to sexuality and relationships.
Sexuality is a glorious gift from God – meant to be offered back to Him either in marriage for procreation, union and mutual delight or in celibacy for undivided devotion to Christ.
Pro-gay revisionist theology violates God's intentional design for gender and sexuality.
We affirm God's design for sexual expression as between one man and one woman in the context of a lifelong, marital covenant.
We strenuously disagree with pro-gay revisionist theology as plainly contradictory to Scripture, historic and traditional Christian doctrine and the Judeo-Christian sexual ethic.
We oppose the ordination of non-celibate, self-identified homosexuals and the celebration of homoerotic sexuality as one of God's gifts.
One has to wonder if this means that DBS are making a public statement with respect to their support of these views. In the meantime there is a general push on for DBS card holders to switch their spending to another card and send a very clear message to DBS that such right wing views won't be tolerated by anyone with even the tiniest bit of intelligence.
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Normally once I post a blog I never go back and amend it since its really suppose to be a snapshot at a point in time. In this case however I am making an exception. Like many people I wrote to DBS to complain about their support of FOTF and received the response below. Proof that positive action can sometimes get results, and many thanks to DBS for taking the step back.
Dear Mr Barry
We thank you for your feedback and appreciate your concerns.
In line with DBS' corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts that are
geared towards supporting children and learning, several welfare
organisations that support similar causes were short-listed.
It was never the intention of the Bank to discriminate against any group
through this initiative. Nevertheless given feedback received, to
demonstrate that DBS believes in diversity and inclusion, with immediate
effect we will be removing the Christmas charity campaign.
DBS will continue to play its part to support the community at large,
and we hope to have your kind understanding and support.
Yours sincerely
Rena Leong
Assistant Vice President
Customer Care & Feedback Management
Consumer Banking Group Singapore
