August 23, 2012

Leaders of several pro-family organizations have asked “the News Corporation, Fox News, and Bill O’Reilly to find more ethical spokespersons for the liberal view of sexuality.” O’Reilly has used radical homosexual activist Wayne Besen as a spokesperson for homosexual viewpoints. The letter claims that “When Fox News provides a forum to a radical homosexual activist known for employing inflammatory and hateful language in the service of promoting lies, the network becomes complicit in the damage done to the victims of Wayne Besen’s and the SPLC’s smear campaigns.” (more…)

August 22, 2012

Exodus president Alan Chambers talked with OWN TV’s Lisa Ling on why he no longer endorses reparative therapy. Chamber’s specifically criticized the use of heterosexual pornography in reparative therapy. He went on to state that he is not gay, but does not know if he is heterosexual. He said he does have opposite sex attractions toward his wife. When asked by Ling for his advice for those who come to Exodus wanting help with their same-sex desires, his advice excluded psychoanalytic therapy. The interview can be found on this link.

August 16, 2012

Excerpt of the first two paragraphs of Alan Chambers’ August 2012 letter: “There is a lot of talk these days about Exodus International’s drastic changes. Some former Exodus leaders have relinquished their membership in our organization and have formed a new one around a set of beliefs and ideals that ironically represent a real drastic change in approach and belief – namely that homosexuality is a ‘more egregious sin’ than any other. That unbiblical myth is something that we, at Exodus, have long tried to dispel and correct.”

“In truth, Exodus International remains much the same at the core of who we have always been and focused on the same goals that were set up when I became the president of Exodus in 2001. In many respects we have returned to the simple roots of gospel-focused, relational discipleship that led to the organization’s founding in 1976. We are a community for people with same-sex attractions, or those that love them, that offers refuge, discipleship and encouragement to move into the authentic and transparent community known as the local church.”

August 16, 2012

Following are some selected excerpts from Exodus board member John Warren’s article “Should Exodus International Fire Alan Chambers?”

… “However, Mr. Chambers, as well thought out and prepared as he is for each of his public speaking opportunities on these complex and sensitive matters, does not enjoy the luxury of writing 35 page articles which are researched, edited, and strategically circulated in an effort to discredit the subject. Mr. Chambers is a minister of the Gospel of our Lord, and he is in the trenches day after day and week after week serving a diverse and complex constituency to that end. Surely Dr. Gagnon must be able to see the heart of this man and this ministry.”

“Dr. Gagnon expresses concern that Mr. Chambers is condoning sin, and thereby giving a false sense of security to those who by the evidence of egregious sin in their lives are either not genuinely converted Christians or have fallen away. (more…)

August 15, 2012

The first “gathering” conference of the Restored Hope Network will be in Fair Oaks, California. Speakers will include Dr. Robert Gagnon, Frank Worthen, and Andrew Comiskey. Both Worthen and Comiskey are past presidents of Exodus International. The conference webpage states, “Nowhere does the transforming power of Jesus Christ have more relevance then in our sexuality. Broken sexuality takes life; Jesus through His body restores hope for the integrity of our intimate relationships.” For more information go to Restored Hope Network Conference.

August 15, 2012

Excerpt reprinted from PFOX bulletin: “In the past, the Christian ministry Exodus International has refused to publicly support ex-gay rights or pro-family marriage legislation because their position was that they do not get involved in ‘politics.’ But now Exodus is openly supporting sodomy rights in foreign countries which do not legally recognize sodomy, according to the New York Times.”

“Also troubling is that Exodus leader Alan Chambers is now denying sexual orientation change. The erroneous notion that the absence of complete eradication of all same-sex attraction is proof that conversion is impossible, has long been championed by gay activists and now mimicked by Exodus. Of course, that notion is neither Biblical nor applied consistently to other sinful impulses.”

“Some affiliated churches and ministries, including those of ex-gays Stephen Black, Andrew Comisky, and Frank Worthen, have left Exodus and started their own ex-gay organization called Restored Hope Network.”

August 15, 2012

In response to California State Senator Ted Lieu’s charge of widespread harm to minors from sexual orientation change efforts, NARTH president Christopher Rosik, Ph.D searched two science literature databases for evidence. One database PsycARTICLES searched journals related to psychology and the other MEDLINE searched 1470 medical journals. While Rosik found 15,806 articles under six search headings of children/adolescents/minors and cigarettes/alcohol, he only found four articles under eight headings of harm related to sexual orientation change efforts. Three of the four were not research related. The one article about harm was from two gay professionals whose research sought individuals who felt harmed by sexual orientation change efforts. That study did not distinguish between mental health professionals and unlicensed religious counselors. Rosik concluded that the Lieu’s charge of widespread harm represents rhetoric and not research. The full text can be found at “Complete Lack of a Scientific Basis.”

August 8, 2012

Edited text: “Dear Senator Ted Lieu: You claim that ‘sexual orientation conversion therapy is absolutely illegitimate’ and that’s why you ‘want to stop parents from sending their kids to it.’ … please read the 2010 CDC AIDS report: 77% of diagnosed HIV infections were attributed to MSM (men who have sex with men). Of those aged 13 to 24 youth, 89% was attributed to MSM. In fact, MSM aged 13 to 24 youth had the greatest increase in diagnosis (44%). Talk about harm to children! Why do you want to prevent youth from receiving counseling for unwanted same-sex attractions when those attractions can kill them?”

Full text of the PFOX letter: (more…)

August 4, 2012

Excerpt from the promotional webpage for the book: “Linda Carter is a living example of the mercy, grace and power of God. Having lived as a lesbian for 15 years, she was saved and set free by Jesus Christ at age 33. She is no longer gay, has no desire to return to her former life, and offers that when an authentic Christian conversion takes place, a gay person will completely renounce that lifestyle.”

August 6, 2012

Here are a couple of differences articulated in Andy Comisky’s August 6th blog:

A “different view of the consequences of sexual sin. Whereas Exodus believes that practicing ‘gay’ Christians may well inherit the Kingdom of heaven, we beg to differ. We believe that Christ followers must reckon with homosexual behavior as a serious betrayal of their humanity and spirituality, and repent of it in order to be assured of salvation.”

A “different expectation of change for same-sex strugglers. Though we agree with Exodus’ desire to more accurately define ‘change’ for those with SSA, Exodus now appears tentative and unclear as to the degree to which the same-sex attracted will experience change at all in their sexuality. We believe that Jesus brings change to every Christian with SSA who seeks Him whole-heartedly. …”

“A different reliance upon reparative psychology. (more…)