Ex-Gay Watch

A new website brings a fresh look to Exodus International, and XGW took a fresh look at their Frequently Asked Questions to check on what their official positions are concerning several topics, including political and civil topics.

1. They refuse to talk about a success rate for sexual orientation change.

When asked, they redirect the question so that the one actually posed never gets answered – and that’s the one we want answered: whether people can successfully change from homosexual to heterosexual.

Let’s rephrase that question. Is there realistic hope that men and women who experience same-sex attraction can overcome those temptations and lead a life of sexual integrity? Can they reasonably expect a time when same-sex attraction will no longer dominate their existence, determine their behavior, or define their identity? The answer to those questions is yes!

They eagerly emphasize that behavior can change. You can go from being a creature with a sexual appetite to one that is sexless. You can be celibate. But nobody, gay or straight, seriously denies that you can do any of these things. The question people really want to know is “can someone change their core sexual orientation from gay to straight?” And they refuse to provide an answer.

2. You cannot be gay and Christian – the two are incompatible.

No, you’re not supposed to judge others, and you are  not to presume you know the heart of another human being as intimately as, for example, God would – but that doesn’t mean you can’t question it, to yourself, out loud, within their earshot.

if someone actively pursues homosexual involvement and refuses to acknowledge this behavior as sin, it’s valid to humbly question whether his or her commitment to Christ – and especially to growth in holiness – is genuine.

It’s not enough to let it go as yet another schism; “pro-gay theology” must be “refuted.”

That’s why it’s critical to understand, confront and refute so-called “pro-gay theology,” which alleges that Scripture has been mistranslated and misinterpreted when it comes to the issue of homosexuality.

Exodus knows the correct way to read the Bible concerning the topic of homosexuality. It is unequivocal for them. Read more…

In an historic vote, the United States Senate has passed an act repealing the ban on openly gay soldiers serving in the armed forces, 65-33. Eight Republicans sided with the mostly Democratic call for repeal. The ban, called “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” or “DADT,” has been in effect since 1993. President Barack Obama has expressed opposition to the ban since his presidential campaign.

“As commander in chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known,” said the President, after the vote.

Organized opposition to allowing openly gay people to serve in the military has mostly been limited to those on the farthest fringe of the right wing, among groups recently classified by the SPLC as “hate groups,” like the American Family Association and Peter LaBarbera’s Americans for Truth About Homosexuality. Poll after poll and study after study showed the public, politicians, and veterans support its end. Even the National Organization for Marriage supports lifting the ban.

In a pathetic and somewhat unexpected lurch to the fringe right, Vietnam War veteran and once-dubbed “maverick” Sen. John McCain (AZ-R) fought repeal all the way, calling today’s vote “a sad day in history.”

Another historic aspect of the repeal is the fact that it is a stand-alone bill, and not one attached to a “can’t-lose” measure. The previous attempt to repeal DADT was attached to a bill that bitterly divided Congress along party lines, causing many would-be supporters to vote “no.” Politicians voting for repeal of DADT this time around so voted based on whether or not they supported equality. History will not be kind to those who voted “no.”

Colorado GOP Senate candidate Ken Buck on “Meet the Press”:

From the same interview:

MR. GREGORY: …

And Mr. Buck I want to start with you. The issue of gays in our country, in a debate last month you expressed your support for “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which we talked about with Mr. Gibbs, and you alluded to lifestyle choices. Do you believe that being gay is a choice?

MR. BUCK: I do.

MR. GREGORY: Based on what?

MR. BUCK: Based on what?

MR. GREGORY: Yeah.

MR. BUCK: Well…

MR. GREGORY: Why do you believe that?

MR. BUCK: Well, I guess you can, you can choose who your partner is.

MR. GREGORY: You don’t think it’s something that’s determined at birth?

MR. BUCK: I, I, I think that birth has an influence over like alcoholism and some other things, but I think that basically you, you have a choice.

Ken Buck wants to be the republican senator from Colorado.  If he makes it he will be part of the most influential lawmaking body in the US, arguably the world.  And yet his response to the question above does not come from any respected, authoritative medical or psychological organization.  It comes from the collective dogma and pseudo-science of ex-gay and anti-gay ministries and their supporting organizations.

For years now such groups have lobbied lawmakers with such false information in an attempt, not to gain any rights for themselves, but to curtail or deny the rights of gay and lesbian citizens.  Ex-gays, those who have allegedly changed from homosexual to heterosexual, are presented as proof without any explanation of how the change they represent doesn’t really mean change.

The next time someone says that that ex-gays don’t involve themselves in politics or are not interested in denying civil rights, remember how it works.  We cannot allow personal beliefs to encroach on civil rights; our lawmakers must not be allowed to draw on lies when crafting laws that affect our lives.

Hat Tip: Good As You

Subtitle: A Biblical and Compassionate Response to Same-Sex Attraction
General Editors: Joe Dallas and Nancy Heche
—
Introduction (Part 1) here.

I wanted to start Part 2 with the beginning chapters that put the rest of the book in perspective, but this issue seems timely enough to skip to.
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Chapter 21: Gays in the Military, by Joe Dallas, co-editor and main author of the book.

It should first be observed that while Scripture condemns homosexual behavior, it says nothing of the general characteristics of homosexual people. [p378, emph mine]

Except when Scripture actually does speak to the characteristics of homosexuality:

Romans 1:26-32: Paraphrased: Furthermore [re the example of homosexuality], since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless…

But wait, he clarifies:
Read more…