Posted on 04/15/2006 5:01:04 PM PDT by wagglebee
I would like to tell you about some people who are often treated as if they do not exist. While they flourish as citizens and are active in our churches across the nation, it is as if they lack reality as far as the so-called mainstream media are concerned.
These people are former homosexuals, sometimes known as ex-gays, who have prevailed over their previous existence.
I imagine they are the most politically incorrect people in our nation.
They do exist, though, and there are untold thousands of them.
But when former homosexuals are depicted on the networks, they are typically unhappy or anxious to return to their former lives. On NBC's "Law and Order: SVU," an ex-gay man returns to his former lifestyles but murders another gay man to hide his backslide. On NBC's "Will & Grace," a meeting of former homosexuals ends with everyone present running off with a same-sex member of the group.
So you see, when these individuals are not being completely ignored, they are being demeaned and put down by those who argue that one cannot overcome homosexuality.
Ex-gay ministries attempt to reach homosexuals with the Gospel of Christ so they can find fulfillment in Him. Former homosexuals learn to overcome their same-sex attractions and often marry and have children.
I am proud to know several former homosexuals. It is thrilling to see them joyously living out their lives. I have actually had the privilege of working with a few individuals who have turned their backs on homosexuality so that they can live fully in Christ.
I actually addressed a rally of ex-gays last year and can tell you that they are living out their faith as fearlessly as any group of people I have seen in quite some time. It is a great pleasure to see people discover true peace, true purpose in Christ.
This isn't a popular notion, by any means. But it is imperative that the Church of Jesus Christ boldly confronts the issues of homosexuality and the power of Christ to enable change.
As Stephen Bennett says, "Jesus never tolerated sin. He confronted it – in love."
Stephen lived the homosexual lifestyle until he was 28. And then he gave his life to Jesus Christ. Today, 16 years later, he is happily married, the father of two, and one of the nation's most courageous spokesmen on overcoming homosexuality through Christ. You can learn more about his story at: www.sbministries.org.
New education effort
This week, the Orlando, Fla.-based Liberty Counsel and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, or PFOX, kicked off their "Change is Possible Campaign." Liberty Counsel, an affiliate ministry of Liberty University, is a national public-interest law firm with offices in Florida and Virginia and hundreds of affiliate attorneys in all 50 states. PFOX is a national organization that supports families touched by homosexuality, advocates for the ex-gay community and educates the public on sexual orientation.
Mat Staver, founder and president of Liberty Counsel, says that in the past several years, as "tolerance" and "diversity" have become popular buzzwords, there has been a corresponding increase in discrimination and intolerance toward those who have made the decision to leave homosexuality. He says that former homosexuals have lost their jobs and been physically assaulted because they dared to tell others that people can and do overcome same-sex attractions.
The two groups are targeting our nation's public schools, many of which have become sectors for promoting homosexual teachings. Mr. Staver says that in many public schools, staff display "Safe-Zone" stickers with pink triangles, and schools hold diversity days to present the message that people are "born gay," but schools consistently exclude the message that people can, and have chosen, to change.
In a recent case, a "diversity day" was actually canceled instead of allowing former homosexuals to attend the school event. That's how adamant many school officials are about homosexuality.
Staver said, "We are confident that this project will help root out intolerance that exists under the guise of tolerance and diversity. There is an ongoing battle over the hearts and minds of our youth. We have an obligation to protect them from the harmful message that people are 'born gay' and cannot choose to change."
In the face of incredible opposition, former homosexuals are declaring to the world that there is hope for change. They are living proof of it, even though, as I earlier noted, they are often treated as if they do not exist. I encourage pastors across this nation to invite people like Stephen Bennett to their churches to confront this modern-day cultural phenomenon. We must address this issue head-on and educate people that change is possible and real.
I don't agree with Falwell on a lot of issues, but he is right on the point here!
Ping!
I don't agree with Falwell much either, and this one's obviously no exception. I've seen too many women hurt by guys who think they can change. I'm convinced the ones who do "change" were bi to start with.
I tend to think of ex-gays as non-practicing bisexuals.
Which is to say since I cannot imagine sleeping with a man under any circumstances I think that any man who could sleep with another man is somehow fundamentally different.
Although they can certainly choose to sleep only with women there are still of a different sexual orientation.
I agree with you, but have to warn you about a pattern I have observed. There are one or two people on this board who are...uhhh..particularly sensitive about the ex-gay thing. Sufficient criticism or doubt on the matter 'mysteriously' ends in banning, followed by a comment by one of these individuals broadcasting the ban (though not the reasons behind it). I don't mean any offense, just giving you a heads up.
Anyway, this guy hung out with other gays for a year or so, until one of the more attractive young women in the department latched onto him. Once he started swimming in the sea of heterosexuality, he never looked back, and they were married with several kids. I last saw them around 10 years ago, and they appeared to be going strong.
On the other hand, I am sure you are correct about "gays who turn, but were bi to start with" in many cases.
I stand by Dice Clay's position on gays...i'll leave it at that. ;)
I do remember reading years ago, that one argument was that a very high proportion of successfull ex-gays had at one time been molested and sexualy abused when younger, making one wonder if they were really gay in the first place or were just really screwed up and confused as most victims of molestation are.
I'd like to see the data on ex-gays who were not victims of sexual crime, and the enviornments they grew up in, and the circumstances of when they "knew they were gay" and then the follow up on when they became straight.
>>Anyway, this guy hung out with other gays for a year or so, until one of the more attractive young women in the department latched onto him. Once he started swimming in the sea of heterosexuality, he never looked back, and they were married with several kids. I last saw them around 10 years ago, and they appeared to be going strong.<<
Isnt that pretty much the definiation of bisexual? It sounds like he was attracted to both.
That (not even sure if that was him actually), or something else?
:)
something else....hehe
I would get banned!!
I disagree with you and SPYDER. I have seen miraculous changes
in people who come to Christ. It's hard work to maintain an inner discipline but then are we not different than animals?
Every single lustful drive we have does not need to be indulged. Sexual orientation is only one among many.
Really? I agree with him on most issues, but I think he's a fool on this particular issue. He is letting the gay activists lead and accepting their premises, even though he would never admit it.
It's not easy to change what arouses you...but you are correct...it just takes dicipline not to act....i think pedophiles just lose control...that's a scary part of society that i wish would go away!
As for churches, the materials don't really belong there either unless they are talking about sin and repenting from sin. If you want sex therapy, see a therapist. If you want the truth about sin, see a minister. If you want an education, you're out of luck.
Homosexuals cannot change their sexual orientation any more than heterosexuals can. It's not like a suit of clothes. God made us the way we are.
BOTH can, however, change their BEHAVIOR and become chaste if they weren't. We can't change our nature, our genetics...who we are. We can only change how we act, how we behave with other people.
With the help of God, His grace and prayer, we can become better people. Yes, it is hard work and God wroughts many miracles. Changing a person's heart, mind, behavior, soul is what He does....not their sexual orientation. That is genetic, just like being heterosexual....genetic.
Homosexuality is nature's error (probably sets of genes gone awry), an error that, as yet, can't be corrected. Nature makes errors sometimes, with children being born blind, mute, with awful diseases, with 6 fingers, brain damage, genital disfigurations, bi-homosexuality and so on. Homosexuality is one of the more PROFOUND abnormalities, but it is just that.
No amount of prayer changes genes....but prayer does change behavior. That's what we all want anyway.
There are some that argue homosexuality and or orientation are scientifically proved realities. I say HA! There is no physical orientation test. Science supposedly deals with the physical -'orientation' is metaphysical... That which the scientists supposedly claim is so and supposedly objectively research a cause or reason for is at best a subjective and dynamic condition -cause unknown. Homosexuality is objectively a manifested procreative abnormality cause unknown that would best be termed homosexual orientation syndrome. All this regardless the psychologists and psychiatrists who without scientific basis turn science on its head and claim normality for that which by scientific definition is not the norm.
Conversely the same scientific regimen or lack thereof would apply to those who attempt to objectively claim or deny "ex-gay" status...
What it comes down to is one simple fact --> "orientation" is subjectively determined and self-declared ONLY.
As such, the conclusion is obvious -those that deny "ex gay" status possible and deny the declarations of "ex-gays" are simply selling and or have bought into the homosexual agenda propaganda hook line and sinker...
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