Dobson's lawyers nix homosexual name grab

WorldNetDaily ^ | October 30, 2005

[scripter]

The installation of a new leader of the predominantly homosexual Metropolitan Community Church, held at the Washington Cathedral yesterday, was to be accompanied by the announcement of a new program called "Focus on the Human Family," but attorney's for Dr. James Dobson's "Focus on the Family" intervened to protect the Christian ministry's trademarked name.

The Reverend Nancy Wilson was installed as the Presiding Bishop as scheduled, but not before MCC committed to removing the "Focus on the Human Family" name from its website. The service's program followed the original theme of "Unfinished World, Unfinished Calling," but references to the disputed name were not to be found.

Wilson, who in 1976 became the youngest person ever elected to the MCC Board of Elders and has served as an Elder since that time, takes over the denomination from Troy Perry, who founded it in 1968. Wilson lives with her partner of 27 years, Dr. Paula Schoenwether.

"It's a bit puzzling," said Wilson. "The ministry of Metropolitan Community Churches is so different from that of James Dobson. His group tends to focus on one kind of family, what they often mistakenly call the "traditional family." In Metropolitan Community Churches, we believe that God's people find many ways to create family, and that includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families."

"Even though many of our views are diametrically opposed, apparently Dobson's organization feels the name of Metropolitan Community Church's new campaign could create confusion for people," she added.

However, it seems MCC had intentionally chosen the name as an ironic play on Dobson's organization. Ekklesia, a newssite focusing on religion and church issues, reported the unveiling of MCC's new program as 'an initiative to combat spiritual violence against gays and lesbians. ... especially ... to challenge the hostile stance of groups like Dr James Dobson's Focus on the Family.

The similarities of the two names was not lost on one blogger who noted the announcement of "Focus on the Human Family" in July: "One cannot help but catch the significance, when it is realized that James Dobson, founder of the "Focus on the Family" staff is rabidly anti-gay, anti-Christian, and anti-family, in spite of what he claims. As long as Dobson is a homophobic bigot, he's of no use to any thinking person. F--- him. Hurrah for Troy Perry and all those who work alongside him."

Wilson, in her sermon at the installation service referenced Dobson's organization by reading a message from a MCC pastor in Boston, Michael Cooper. "While our denomination is gathered in Washington, D.C., today, several of us from MCC Boston are joining with others to hold a prayer vigil outside Focus on the Family's program "Love Won Out" – an ex-gay conference here in Boston. ... Please remember us today as we continue the struggle here in Boston against religious homophobia and discrimination."

"How many here tried becoming an "ex-gay?" Wilson asked the attendees. "Welcome home!"

"Love Won Out" is an educational outreach program that promotes the message "homosexuality is preventable and treatable," according to it's website.

"Dobson's group is certainly within their rights to defend their trademark as they see fit," conceded Wilson. "They may be able to stop the name of our program, but they can't stop our ministry or our commitment to all members of the human family, especially those that have experienced rejection by other faith communities."

[scripter]

"Love Won Out" is an educational outreach program that promotes the message "homosexuality is preventable and treatable," according to it's website.

Additional sites that help homosexuals leave the lifestyle:

Abiding Truth
Becoming Real
Choice 4 Truth
Christians No Longer Gay Living For God
Courage
Courage Online
Desert Stream
Eagles Wings Ministry
Exodus
Find Out
Gay to Straight
Help for Jewish Homosexuals That is Consistent with Torah Principles
Homosexuality and Gender
JONAH
Living Hope
Living Stones Ministries
Matthew Manning
NARTH
National Listing of Help
New Hope Ministries
One By One
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays
People Can Change
Portland Fellowship
Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality
Realty Resources
Regeneration Books
Stephen Bennett Ministries
Transforming Congregations
Witness Ministries

[scripter]

Ping

[scripter]

"How many here tried becoming an "ex-gay?" Wilson asked the attendees.

We have ex-gays on FreeRepublic. Here are some additional links on the subject:

More Than One Way Out
I Do Exist
Homosexuality and the Possibility of Change: Introductory Pages

[little jeremiah]

pingout tomorrow, thanks.

Don't forget to turn your clock back!

[saint]

Additional sites that help homosexuals leave the lifestyle:

Abiding Truth
Becoming Real
Choice 4 Truth
Christians No Longer Gay Living For God
Courage
Courage Online
Desert Stream
Eagles Wings Ministry
Exodus
Find Out
Gay to Straight
Help for Jewish Homosexuals That is Consistent with Torah Principles
Homosexuality and Gender
JONAH
Living Hope
Living Stones Ministries
Matthew Manning
NARTH
National Listing of Help
New Hope Ministries
One By One
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays
People Can Change
Portland Fellowship
Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality
Realty Resources
Regeneration Books
Stephen Bennett Ministries
Transforming Congregations
Witness Ministries

Wow! Praise God!

[taxesareforever]

"While our denomination is gathered in Washington, D.C.,

How fitting. Corruption in politics and corruption in religion gathered in the same place.

[goonie4life9]

Whoa, wait a second. This Wilson guy says, "what they mistakenly call the 'traditional family'." I thought that was the problem- the traditional family was outdated and a representation of the oppressive past. Now the leftists are trying to say the "traditional family" (i.e., man and woman and children) never really was the "traditional family?" Oh wait, I forgot, this is "through the looking glass world" (as Tammy Bruce would say). Whatever a homosexual says is correct, because he or she is part of an oppressed group. I must have missed those "Leave it to Beaver" episodes where they chronicled the real family- Beaver and his two daddies. WHAT A JOKE!

[Freedom with Responsibility]

PING!

[aardvark1]

Just another example that the left has no ideas of their own. They can't even come up with an original name for their organizations. They are truly intellectually, as well as morally, bankrupt.

That said, they are very good at their game of thieving mimicry.

[Clint N. Suhks]

MCC...combat spiritual violence against gays

"Spiritual violence" against sin? The MCC is simply a sin enabler, period.

[scripter]

Just another example that the left has no ideas of their own.

I see it similarly. It appears they're trying to ride Focus on the Family's reputation or they're trying to denigrate it...

[scripter]

Wow! Praise God!

And that's an old list. Fortunately there are more and more organizations coming forward to help homosexuals leave the lifestyle. I've been giving away copies of the I Do Exist video to local pastors to help educate everyone that hope exists for homosexuals who want to leave the lifestyle.

[scripter]

"Spiritual violence" against sin?

Was that term on their website or in the PDF document? I couldn't find it.

[Clint N. Suhks]

I just recharitorized the quote from the article, MCC's new program as 'an initiative to combat spiritual violence against gays and lesbians , as if homosexuality wasn't sin. The MCC tends to forget those abominations in their cult posing as Christianity.

[kms61]

Should an ex gay be allowed to be a scout leader or teacher? Just curious.

[scripter]

Whoops - now I see it in the article... and I even searched for "violence" - maybe I was on the wrong thread. :-)

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping. Serious Barf Alert.

Not because of graphic content, but phony/ultra fake "Christianity". The worst of the worst, parading as oh-so piously caring and praying. Outwardly religious, but living and speaking against the basic morality which is the foundation of any religion and indeed, of civilized human life.

Scripter has a long list of organizations that help people become free of the "gay" life. The list is growing. Save the list - maybe someone you know can be helped!

Freepmail me and DirtyHarryY2K if you want on/off this pinglist.

Note: Real love means telling the truth, and the truth is that no one has to be "gay". It is not hateful to help people learn the truth about homosexuality; in fact, it is hateful to lie and doom people - especially young people - to a life that isolates them from having a real family, and from the love of God.

[little jeremiah]

What do you think?

[kms61]

I asked the question first, and would like to hear what the original poster thinks.