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...]

Overcoming Homophobia

confession

B writes: I have a severe case of homophobia to the point of my body physically reacting to it.  I shake, I get angry and my heart beats very quickly even at the mention of it.  I know the issue isn't the sin itself it's repentance and those whom identify with homosexuality are no different from me. I know all the textbook answers but I'm struggling to fix myself and I can't seem to find any help or advice that doesn't involve the social annoyance with Christians. Hi B, thank you for sending in your message. With regards to the inordinate and even bodily reaction to the anger you feel, … [Read more...]

Why Does The Gay Community Refuse to Acknowledge Our Testimony?

Q&A

This question was left on my formspring service after I wrote this post on my personal blog.  I will answer it by parsing out the different points.  First ... How can people in the gay community make that claim dismissing a person once being gay? I think some (not all) make that claim just like Conservatives and/or Christians who used to claim (some still do) that there are no truly gay people.  What I have discovered is that people on both sides, actually people in general, are not usually happy with others whose identity and/or moral systems are based in direct opposite views to their … [Read more...]

One By One Report on Presbyterian Church U.S.A. General Assembly 2010

OneByOne at Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly 2010

It is a “sign of the times” when the message of Christ’s healing and redemptive power in regards to human sexuality is rejected by his Church. This past week the governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. voted to approve gay ordination as it did in 2008. Again, this legislation will go before the Presbyteries in the coming months for a final vote. Hopefully, it will be turned down, as it was in '08, and yet year after year more Presbyteries endorse homosexuality as a gift from God to be blessed and celebrated. Team members of OneByOne were present at this year’s PCUSA … [Read more...]

Charisma, California Catholic Daily and CitizenLink Cover Exodus Freedom Conference

Pastor Clark Whitten Talks With Exodus Leaders about Grace

Today we are featured in Charisma Magazine, California Catholic Daily and CitizenLink.  Also, I haven't found the link of a television interview Jeff Buchanan did with CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network.) We also have some other major media in the works and if that all works out I will post those links when they come up. Here is the first round-up of media mentions: First from Charisma Exodus International Marks 35th Year of Freedom Conferences Around 1,000 people are expected to participate in the International Freedom Conference, which begins Wednesday and includes workshops and … [Read more...]

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...]

“Reconciliation” – A Movie That Will Challenge And Touch Your Heart

Reconciliation the Movie

RECONCILIATION trailer from Chad Ahrendt on Vimeo. In a previous post, Gay Father + Christian Son = Reconciliation, I mentioned and showed the trailer for "Reconciliaiton."  I was excited that a movie coming from a redemptive Christian perspective was being made and looked forward to viewing it. The Director, Chad Ahrendt, sent a "screening" copy because I wasn't in Los Angeles to catch the premiere.  However, one of our leaders in the area, Carol Wagstaff with Living Stones Ministries, went and she emailed and left a voicemail very excited about the movie.  She said that it was very … [Read more...]

Is Religious Freedom and Self-Determination in Professional Counseling in Danger?

horizon

Of our two hundred and forty Member Agencies out there, around 40 of them are professional counselors.  Over the past year or so we have had a great increase in the number of reports coming in threatening counselors who are willing to help people with unwanted homosexuality.  Lately, Californian therapists are being threatened. SAN DIEGO, California, May 3, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - California's pro-family therapists are striving to persuade the state's largest therapist association to stand firm against demands to suppress or kick out members who seek to help clients with unwanted … [Read more...]

New Study: Gay People Suffer Increased Rates of PTSD

Click Image to Read Study: Bullies Home in On Gays

From Study: Bullies home in on gays: A groundbreaking new Harvard study has found that gay people are far more likely to be tormented as youngsters, often leading to years of post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health and Children’s Hospital found that gays, bisexuals and heterosexuals who have had a same-sex partner are 1 to two times as likely to experience violence, especially in childhood, and have double the risk of experiencing PTSD as a result. “It’s really appalling,” said lead author Andrea Roberts, a postdoctoral fellow in … [Read more...]

Responding to Jennifer Knapp’s “Coming Out”

Click to visit JenniferKnapp.com

As you all are probably aware, Jennifer Knapp stated last week that she has embraced her same sex attraction and is now identifying as gay.  She has done a number of interviews including this one with Christian Today.  From the article (Parenthesis mine): Now, the finished product (her new album), titled Letting Go, is slated for a May 11 release and will be the first test of her fans’ loyalty given confirmation of her sexuality. While the decision to "come out" one month before her new album’s release is a risky one, The Advocate said Knapp chose to do so partly because she … [Read more...]