‘Ex-Gay’ Controversy Mars Gospel Concert Tour for Obama
By Randy Hall
CNSNews.com Staff Writer/Editor
[Excerpted]
[...]
However, Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX), told Cybercast News Service on Friday that such activities by homosexual activists “demonstrates a disregard for diversity and a refusal to respect a basic human right to dignity and self-determination.”
“Ex-gays have the same right to participate in the political process as other Americans and should not have to endure this type of abuse because they chose to leave homosexuality,” Griggs stated.
While homosexual advocacy groups “demand hate crimes laws and sexual orientation non-discrimination legislation,” they would deny the same protections to ex-gays, which she called “irrational behavior towards those who have overcome unwanted same-sex attractions.”
Griggs also called it ironic that homosexual activists — who often compare their efforts to those of the African-American civil rights movement — “have turned against African-Americans who no longer want to engage in homosexuality.”
“Yet many in the African-American community, especially black churches, support the ex-gay community,” she stated. “PFOX has spoken at black churches and exhibited at African-American conferences, including the NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus.”
As a result, Griggs urged homosexual organizations to show the same kind of compassion and acceptance of ex-gays that African-Americans have. “Gay groups must stop promoting discrimination against former homosexuals,” she stated. “Gay activists cannot claim sympathy as victims when they victimize others.” (more…)
Charlene E. Cothran, Black ex-gay publisher of Venus magazine has written about how the homosexual community dropped her when she announced that she was no longer gay. Do a Google search under her name and see just how “welcomed” she is amongst gay activist now.
A gentleman by the name of Scott Lively wrote the following excerpt on the double standard amongst these activists.
” I hate being called a homophobe. It has such an ugly connotation. Its especially unpleasant because, as a Christian, I’m supposed to have a reputation for loving people, not hating them. So I’ve worked really hard over the years to try to get the homosexuals to stop calling me a homophobe. I’ve pointed out the difference between hating people and hating their behavior (loving the sinner but hating the sin). They hated that. Then I tried “walking my talk” by taking an ex-”gay” man who was dying of AIDS into my family. My wife and I and our children loved and cared for him during the last year of his life. They hated that even more.
Then I began asking for guidance from homosexuals themselves: “Tell me, where is the line between homophobia and acceptable opposition to homosexuality?” I asked. “What if I just agree with the Bible that homosexuality is a sin no worse than any other sex outside of marriage?” “No, that‘s homophobic,” they replied. “Suppose I talk only about the proven medical hazards of gay sex and try to discourage people from hurting themselves?“ “No, you can’t do that,” they said. “How about if I say that homosexuals have the option to change if they choose?” “Ridiculous” they answered. “Maybe I could just be completely positive, say nothing about homosexuality, and focus only on promoting the natural family and traditional marriage?” “That’s really hateful,” they replied.
After I while, I realized that the only way I could get them to stop calling me a homophobe was to start agreeing with them about everything. But here’s my dilemma: I honestly believe the Bible which says that homosexuality is wrong and harmful and that all sex belongs within marriage. I’ve also read the professional studies and know that “gay” sex hurts people because it goes against the design of their bodies. And I’m friends with a number of former homosexuals who are now married and living heterosexual lives. Do I have to give up my religion? Ignore scientific facts? Betray my friends? Is that the only way to avoid being called a hater and a homophobe?
There’s no escape. A homophobe is anyone who, for any reason, disapproves of homosexuality in any way, shape, manner, form or degree. This leaves me with just two choices: agree that everything about homosexuality is natural, normal, healthy, moral and worthy to be celebrated OR be labeled as a mentally ill, hate-filled bigot.” (source)
That does not sound like diversity.
A few months ago I received an e-mail from a reader of this site in the U.K. He described himself as a young Black and gay male who was in search of Biblical references that supported the gay lifestyle. I responded by telling him that the only time the Bible refers to sex in a positive manner is when it is between a man and woman within marriage. I then told him that if he was looking for some justification for his chosen lifestyle, he would not find it in the Bible. I must have hit a nerve because the next few e-mails from him were filled with very hateful comments towards me. Pretty soon, he just stopped e-mailing me altogether.
Like Lively, I too have come to realize over the years that “tolerance” amongst homosexual activists simply means a full AGREEMENT of their chosen lifestyle. This definition in of itself slaps in the face of the actual meaning of diversity.
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October 29th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
“I must have hit a nerve because the next few e-mails from him were filled with very hateful comments towards me.”
They can have their own opinion, but not their own facts. The text of the bible simply is what it is and no amount of wishful thinking or exquisitely tortured parsing of that text is going to change it into something it isn’t.
The guy wanted you to perform semantic alchemy for him when it simply wasn’t possible.
Ultimately this all comes down to the morally relativistic notion of “I’ll do what I want, then find a way to morally justify it later”.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:40 am
you’ve put in this post, what I haven’t been able to put into words. I love my both of my male bf who are gay. I don’t think they are low or dispicable people, but I also don’t think that homosexual sex is natural.
I find that many people are only open to diversity of opinions (gay or not) only when that opinion is the same as thiers.
If Donnie McClurkin believes that his gayness has been “cured”, then all power to the man. It’s his life. Associating or being friends with him, doesn’t automatically make a person a homophobe.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Morally justify it like everything else that is condemned in the bible and is common place today? The very chapters used to attack gays contain several other things that for some reason people don’t give a damn about anymore. Somebody PLEASE tell me what is the difference between those things and being gay? So far no one has answered this question.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:57 am
What chapters are you referring to?
October 30th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Im sick of people hiding behind the bible to justify their homophobia. The bible also says not to eat shellfish and has oppressive views when it comes to women, do we follow these ideologies as well? Not too long ago the Bible was used to justify Slavery, was that right?
I think the problem is people have their different views, but then to come out and make hate comments is just plain wrong and not christian- this is what not only McClurkin did but also MAry Mary as well.
Some people are bisexual and were once with one gender and then meet someone else of another- many of these ex-gay organizations and people refuse to mention anything about bisexuality. Living a life of celibacy isnt exactly not being be gay either. Everyone should know that almost all of the ex-gay ministry leaders out there have left and denounced reparative therapy or have been caught having gay relationships…EVEN MCLurkin check out this to read an interview with his ex-lover of resent past linkclaycane.blogspot.com/.
These organizations DO NOT keep statistics on the long term sexuality status on any of there patients!
The following are people who left ex-gay ministries or were caught in a gay relationship/situaton Michael Busse & Gary Cooper now in a relationship(exodus founders), Colin Cook (founder of Homosexuals anonymous), John Paulk (focus on the family/love won out) and Chris Austin of NARTH and Evergreen international- convicted of having sexual relationships w/patients.
Also 10 major medical and mental health organization in the US oppose the use of reparative therapy because you do not need to “fix” something thats NOT wrong, and it has damaging effects on the client. Check out this link to learn more http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/justthefacts.html
Also here are a list of churchs that are GLBT inclusive- why not talk to them about Homosexuality and the bible and see what they say
http://www.rainbowbaptists.org
Rainbow Baptists
http://www.integrityusa.org
Integrity – LGBT Episcopalians
http://www.dignityusa.org
Dignity -LGBT Catholics
http://www.mlp.org/about.html
More Light Presbyterians
http://www.glbtjews.org
GLBT Jews
http://www.galva108.org/
GLBT Hindu
http://www.forusa.org/ArticlesandResources/Wink-homosexuality.html
General Bible & homosexuality
http://www.mccchurch.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
Branches Nationwide- follow link to find nearest branch
http://www.Soulforce.org
Dedicated to GLBT inclusion in all churches
October 30th, 2007 at 10:58 am
I should have said books instead of Chapters.
Look I’m trying to questions anyones faith or belief in the Bible or whatever. I just don’t like hypocracy. Here are a few of the verses i was referring to:
Leviticus 18:22 – Homosexuality is an abomination to God. 18:22
But there is also:
Leviticus 15:19-30 – Menstruating women are unclean to God.
Leviticus 19:19 – Don’t mix seeds when sowing a field or wear a garment with mixed fibers
Leviticus 19:27 – Don’t round the corners of your head or mar the corners of your beard.
Leviticus 20:9-12 – Children who curse their parents, adulterers, and homosexuals must be killed.
Leviticus 20:27 – Woman with “familiar spirits” must be stoned to death.
Leviticus 21:16-23 – Handicapped people must not approach the altar.
Leviticus 24:16,24 – Cursers and blasphemers must be stoned to death.
Leviticus 25:45-46 – God’s instructions for buying slaves.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Oops I meant to say “I’m NOT trying to questions anyones faith or belief …”.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I’m NOT trying to questions anyones faith or belief. I just don’t like hypocrisy”
There is nothing wrong with questioning someone’s faith. Unfortunately we live in a society today that considers it an offense if you have serious and pointed questions about how someone chooses to believe. Fortunately I am not one of them.
Since we are talking about homosexuality in the Bible, I am going to be brief with some of the other things you brought up. Not because I can’t answer them piece by piece, but because I will take this conversation in many directions.
The book of Leviticus is part of what is referred to as “The Law of Moses–given by God”. Back in those days, one could not simply say a prayer and be forgiven of sin. It was a process. If a person sought forgiveness, a certain animal sacrifice had to be made.
God was (and still is holy) which meant that not just anybody could come into His presence in the temple. This was the roll of priests–to offer up sacrifices in the very presence of the Lord. If God disapproved, oftentimes the priest did not survive the encounter.
Enter Jesus. His main role was to become a fulfillment of the law. In other words, he himself became the one sacrifice needed for all of mankind. So no longer did we have to go through all the tedious steps to receive forgiveness. Nevertheless, the spirit of the Law which had no tolerance for sin or defilement was and is still kept intact. So when you read about Menstruating women or handicapped folks not being welcomed into the temple, please keep in mind that such laws were needed at the time if someone was to even come close to the very presence of God. There is a passage in the Old Testament that talks about how if false prophets (prophet$) are to be stoned to death. There is another one that suggests the same fate of children who are caught lying to their parents. God still hates these things, but thanks to His grace (as described in Romans 6 and throughout the New Testament, we are given another chance to get it right. Thanks to Jesus, all mankind is granted access to the Father by accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour and the repentance of sin. Romans chapter 6 is a great chapter that explains the relation between Law and Grace.
So much for being brief
Now as far as homosexuality goes, you will find that both in the old and new testament is was never sanctioned as an acceptable sexual act. The only times sex is mentioned in the Bible as an acceptable act is between and man and woman within marriage. As a Christian, I am called to love all of mankind just as Jesus does. But I am also called to hate sin (starting in my own life) just as Jesus does. That is the part of the Gospel message folks don’t like to talk about.
October 30th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
As far as WHAT’s comments goes—
I did read the interview that you are talking about. The funny thing is that no name was given by the accuser, yet you have assumed that the story is accurate.
Let me be clear here, I or YOU cannot account for what McC does in his own private time. Until the facts come out, all you and I are left with are his words. If the story does pan out to be true, then he is a hypocrite and in violation with the word of God on the matter.
What you have left out of your comment is that there have also been MANY, MANY individuals out there who have completely left the gay lifestyle starting with the woman mentioned in this post. What I find funny here is that anytime someone leaves the gay lifestyle they are automatically considered being a victim of brainwashing by the gay community even though some of them have been happily married to someone of the opposite sex for years.
The word “homophobic” suggests that I am afraid of anything that pertains to homosexuality. Sorry to break this to you, but there is no fear coming from this end. Like you, I have an opinion on the chosen lifestyle and ask no more for you to respect that, just as you want me to respect your opinion.
Also, if you notice I left all the links up you placed in your comment. Folks should be free to make up their own mind on the matter. If I was a “homophobic”, your links would have been removed.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Cool.. Thanks for spending a few extra minutes to at least try to break it down for me. I can’t say that I completely agree with your analysis but I will respect it. I don’t want to go too far off the intent of your original post so I won’t go into a biblical debate. I will only say that if I took the time I could probably find places in the bible that could be used to justify anything. Including homosexuality.
Peace.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I will only say that if I took the time I could probably find places in the bible that could be used to justify anything. Including homosexuality.
If someone was looking for justification, the bible is not the only place one could look. It all depends on the honesty of the individual looking for it.