Homophobic Stigmatization vs True Homophobia

pointing

The previous post clearly involved a true case of homophobia and a general response on how to overcome it. In response on our Facebook page, Melissa said: Most who call homosexuality a sin or stand up against the gay agenda are called homophobic! There are many complex agendas and some powerful ones coalesce into pro-gay cultural momentum across the board in all sectors of society.  When people minimize the complexity of that reality (minimizing it to simply, "The Gay Agenda"), we set ourselves up to be easily stigmatized with false labels.  Maybe if we put down our pointing fingers/verbal … [Read more...]

Together Everyone Accomplishes More – Letter from Alan Chambers for January 2011

Alan-Chambers

This letter from Alan Chambers appears in both our offline and online newsletters. To receive this letter along with the full newsletter online via email or offline through the postal service please sign up here. --- Dear Friends, How many of you have a resolution for the New Year?  Without going crazy, I usually try to pinpoint one or two areas where I hope to make improvements each year.  This year I have decided to work on keeping life simple.  You may remember that our mission at Exodus for 2011 is Simplify, Amplify, Intensify.  I began sensing the Lord's encouragement in … [Read more...]

Let World AIDS Day Inspire and Inform

Photo Credit: The Guardian (click image to visit)

Today is world AIDS day. It is a day set aside to raise awareness of this terrible pandemic. It isn't simply a day where we remember the deadly toll AIDS has had on our generation.  It is also a day to highlight resources, ministries and efforts to prevent and find a cure. Regardless of whether you identify as one of the letters in GLBTQI, as an "ex-gay" or as a Christian on a post-gay journey, we all have known too many people who have died of AIDS and/or currently have loved ones and friends living with HIV/AIDS. I picked the picture for this post from the Guardian because it speaks … [Read more...]

New Book “Naked Surrender” by Andy Comiskey

naked surrender

Today I want to post an interview I did via email with Andy Comiskey about his new book titled "Naked Surrender."  I have posted the interview exactly as it happened.  There has been very little editing (spelling, formatting.)  Also, all emphasis (bold and italics are mine.  Without further ado :) ... First of all, congratulations on your new book.  The provocative title is "Naked Surrender: coming home to our true sexuality." When you say "Naked Surrender" is that both literal and figurative?  What does it mean to "come home" to our true sexuality? Andy: 'Naked surrender' refers … [Read more...]

Brief Media Round-Up Concerning Day Of Truth Announcement

Day-of-Truth

I knew when Alan made the announcement that Exodus was giving up participation in the Day of Truth campaign that it would cause a bit of a stir.  I didn't expect it to cause such an enormous amount of feedback! The blogosphere lit up and emails, Facebook private messages, phone calls started coming in.  There were quite a number of media outlets that picked up the story as well. A vast majority of the feedback was exuberant agreement with the decision. However, there were a few who didn't like the decision.  Some of those who disagreed were very thoughtful about their disagreement and … [Read more...]

Facebook Flashbacks and Friendship

Friends

Facebook is crazy.  And  little bit scary. Almost every significant (still living) relationship I have ever had is represented in my friends list.  It's been an astounding adventure to reconnect with people from almost every stage of life from my past to present. It all started in August of 2008. Two years ago I was on sabbatical and had a thought, "Hmmm... I wonder if my high school friends have found facebook yet?"  Two hours later I had found 15 of them and was quietly tripping out on how much life had changed for some and was completely the same for others.  This has led to a … [Read more...]

Happy 1st Blog/Facebook Birthday Exodus!

firstbirthday

It's hard to believe we have had this blog, and complementary Facebook page, for a full year as of today! I am very glad to see this blog succeed. We had one serious attempt to have a ministry blog in the past that just didn't quite work.  So with lessons learned and the advent of social networking ... this blog took off right out of the gate! While I don't know that our blog will *ever* be a top dog blog like Instapundit (who knows really? :) ) we don't do this for "the numbers."  Regardless, I am a stats-a-holic so here are some statistical tidbits that those who do read this blog might … [Read more...]

Anne Rice Rejects Christianity

Click Image to Visit Anne Rice's FB Page

Anne Rice is the author of many books on Vampires (now Angels) and whatnot starting with Interview With The Vampire.  Her son, Christopher, has also become an author and has embraced a gay identity/worldview.  Recently Anne posted on her facebook page: As I said below, I quit being a Christian. I'm out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity … [Read more...]

Are You Happier Now Than When You Were Gay?

You Just Never Know What Could Happen Now Do You?

One of my young(er) friends on Facebook sent me a message that I have been getting a lot lately.  Now that I have passed the 40 year old mark by two years the youngin's ask me "lonely old man" questions a lot.  They don't say it like that and I am being humorous in phrasing it that way but it's true, I am getting older and have been celibate for 18 years this coming July 23rd. So they want to know if you can be happy, older and not pursuing or in a gay relationship.  Wade (not his real name) writes in part: Are you happy? I know your probably thinking 'weirdo', but I'm not. Basically … [Read more...]

First Hand Report From The NEA Ex-gay Educator’s Caucus

Click Image to Visit Melinda's Facebook Profile

Melinda has become one of my favorite facebook friends.  She's always got an encouraging word.  She recently went to the NEA Convention and she had a remarkable experience.  I asked if she would like to write a guest blog post about her experience and she graciously agreed.  Here's Melinda in her own words (emphasis mine): My experience manning the NEA Ex-gay Educator’s Caucus booth at the National Education Association (NEA) convention in New Orleans recently could be compared to being in a dunking booth or being fed to the lions. The Caucus was raising awareness that “ex-gays” do, … [Read more...]