Statement from Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International on the Criminalization of Homosexuality, 2009 Uganda Conference and Beyond

Uganda

Criticism is easy to come by at Exodus.  We are a large and diverse organization made up of many members.  Our growth over the years has caused us to not always know what the hand or foot are doing, which sometimes causes us to look like we are “all butt”.  That’s humanity for you, even Christian humanity. That said, and without a wordy explanation or excuse, this public post is way overdue and I sincerely hope it clears up any speculation about how I really feel about gay and lesbian people, Ugandan or otherwise, the criminalization of homosexuality, Exodus’s connection to the … [Read more...]

Around The World: Puerto Rico, Malawi and Brazil

gloA

Here are three updates, from Puerto Rico, Malawi and Brazil, that landed in my inbox yesterday and today. Suspect in gay Puerto Rican teenager’s murder pleads guilty (link goes to gay media outlet): The man prosecutors contend brutally murdered a gay Puerto Rican teenager late last year has pleaded guilty. Juan José Martínez Matos, who had been scheduled to go on trial for Jorge Steven López Mercado’s death on Monday, May 17, confessed to the crime during a hearing in Caguas on Wednesday, May 12. Martínez told the court he understood the consequences of his actions, and … [Read more...]

Charges Against Street Preacher for “Hate Speech” Dropped

McAlpine

We previously blogged about the Preacher Arrested in England for Saying Homosexuality is a sin. After being being held in prison for seven hours and dealing with a 26 day needless battle the charges have been dropped. A Christian street preacher arrested and hauled before the courts for saying homosexuality was sinful has had the charge against him dropped. Dale Mcalpine, 42, was held in a cell for seven hours before being charged with a public order offence for telling a gay police community support officer that he believed homosexuals were going against the word of God. But yesterday … [Read more...]

Preacher Arrested in England for Saying Homosexuality is A Sin

nofreespeech

From AlbertMohler.com: We have seen this coming for some time now. The public space has been closing, especially when it comes to Christian speech — and especially when that speech is about homosexuality. Now, a Christian preacher has been arrested in Britain for the crime of saying in public that homosexuality is a sin. This arrest is more than a news event — it is a signal of things to come and an announcement of a new public reality. Even if all charges are dropped against this preacher, the signal is sent and the message is clear. The act of Christian preaching is now a potential … [Read more...]

Irish Times Quotes Alan Chambers

Click Image To Visit The Irish Times article "I Love Jesus ..."

From the Irish Times article I Love Jesus (but not in a gay way): At the centre of this movement is an organisation called Core Issues, a Northern Ireland Christian initiative run by Mike Davidson, a married man who describes himself as having been “in conflict with unwanted homosexuality . . . before finally seeing the light”. Core Issues has brought a series of high-profile ex-gay speakers from the US to Ireland, and this week hopes to host a “Leaving Homosexuality Celebration” with Alan Chambers of Exodus International, a worldwide umbrella group for ex-gay organisations – … [Read more...]

Core Issues Speaking Engagement

belfast

Next week I will be traveling to Belfast, Northern Ireland to speak at an event for a group called Core Issues headed by Michael Davidson. I have been asked to share insights from my latest book, Leaving Homosexuality (Harvest House, 2009). Core Issues has recently had other Exodus leaders, like Christine Sneeringer, in to speak for what looks like a series on the complexities related to same-sex attraction and faith. The speaker that kicked off this series for Core Issues and has some official connection to that organization is a man that I do not know named Dr. Paul Miller. Dr. Miller … [Read more...]

Joyce Meyer Speaks Against Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill – Christian Today

Uganda

From Christian Today: Charismatic preacher Joyce Meyer has spoken out against Uganda’s highly contentious Anti-Homosexuality Bill. In a statement released Monday, Meyer said it is “increasingly evident” that the Bill introduced in the Ugandan parliament is a “profoundly offensive, dangerous and disturbing attack on the very foundation of individual liberties and human rights afforded not only to the good citizens of Uganda, but on the at-large global community”. “If enacted, this hostile legislation will also further, and adversely, serve as a major setback in the … [Read more...]

Baptist Press Covers Exodus Response to Ugandan NASWU Statement

Uganda

From Baptist Press: "NASWU rejects the view that same-sex attraction is an innate 'orientation,' rather it is part of a range of feelings individuals ought to learn to bring under control as they mature," the social workers said. "There is justification for Uganda to put in place appropriate legislation to comprehensively prohibit homosexuality." But the group said the bill contains drafting errors that should be corrected before its passage. Specifically, the clause requiring mandatory reporting of all known homosexual offenses should be amended to exempt disclosure made in counseling … [Read more...]

Taiwan Seeks to Teach Elementary Students Gay Topics

taiwan

From The China Post: The Ministry of Education on March 7 announced that gay topics will find a place in elementary and secondary textbooks starting next year, reversing course after activists protested a memo last month from the ministry telling high schools to ban gay rights groups. The ministry's announcement is a welcome and positive move towards the development of a healthy, free and tolerant society. Simply installing the software by including gay topics in school syllabuses, however, is not enough. There are still many misunderstandings and unfair judgments on homosexuality in … [Read more...]

Exodus International Responds to Ugandan Social Worker Association

From the Exodus Press Office: Exodus International Responds to Ugandan Social Worker Association's Endorsement of Country's Anti-Homosexuality Bill ORLANDO, FL - Last week, the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda (NASWU) issued an endorsement of the African nation's controversial anti-homosexuality bill, arguing "there is justification for Uganda to put in place appropriate legislation to comprehensively prohibit homosexuality." The organization did recommend changes to the legislation, such as an exemption for counselors helping those struggling with same-sex attraction … [Read more...]