Lovelinx
Please read the whole article spotlighting the conference. Here are selected quotes and a few responses:
GAY rights activists will confront conference organisers who have vowed to “liberate” people from homosexuality in a two-day seminar at a Mitcham church.
Really? … “vowed to liberate?” I am thinking they are there to present lessons from their viewpoint and those attending can take it or leave it. We, including EGA (Exodus Global Alliance) I am sure, have a positive view of those who attend our conferences in that we trust they are able to listen, evaluate and apply what they have heard at their own discretion. For those seeking the information being presented, I am sure they will find the conference helpful and full of empowering information and grace.
The Lovelinx conference will this weekend be held to heal “sexual brokenness” at Mitcham Baptist Church, where opponents of the event vow to protest on Saturday morning.
Again with the word “vow.” The subtle use of this word to describe the depth of motivation by both sides makes it seem like the conference is only being held to oppose those outside and vice versa. I can assure you that while I have no doubt that EGA would be very gracious to the protestors … they aren’t there to provoke gay activists. They are their to speak with and minister to those seeking their advice and opinion on how to live with same sex attractions in congruence with their faith.
The conference website says the event is not homophobic, but offers “hope and practical help to people struggling with sexual struggles or unwanted homosexuality”.
But gay rights campaigner Tim Wright said the conference was hurtful and encouraged people to repress their sexuality. …
Many would disagree with Tim. I have been to an EGA conference before and they give a message of encouragement to be all that you can be in Christ. That is a message of freedom, not repression, for those of us seeking it.
Furthermore, every time someone doesn’t drop their pants with every sexual urge … they are suppressing that urge. Some examples of that would be when a gay identified man resists an offer to sleep with another man who isn’t his partner. Out of loyalty, he suppressed that urge.
I don’t have sex with other men because I am being loyal to my faith. Note the first person context of that previous sentence. Both decisions employ suppressing temptation to be who we want to be and live our lives the way we see fit and find contentment in. Resisting temptation is not the same as oppression which is what “repression” used by most gay activists, and I think in this article, often implies.
Also, Homophobia is defined as:
… unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality.
Talking redemptively about ordinary people struggling with same sex attractions, openly, honestly, humbly, all day, in a church, to people who have chosen to be there … is hardly being unreasoning or based in antipathy toward homosexuals. I think it is as Joe Dallas says, “bold love.” So the church is correct to defend itself against any false charge of homophobia. Tim might think that the conference is hurtful, but his opinion, while respected and heard, is simply his opinion and should not be seen as defining another person’s experience.
Mitcham Baptist Church administrator Dennis Fanner said the church was simply hiring out the venue and had nothing to do with the conference nor the protest.
“We are providing venue and not here to judge what is going to take place inside the conference or the people who are protesting outside the conference,” Mr Fanner said.
“We will be here and hopefully provide a moderating influence to those who are particularly aggrieved.”
…
And I pray for Mitcham Baptist Church that they will have the wisdom to live out grace and truth as a witness to all of those in their community (not just those who have embraced a gay identity.) I commend them and EGA for bringing a redemptive message to Melbourne and pray for great success in conveying the love of Christ to everyone including those seeking freedom from homosexuality.
About Randy Thomas
