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.
Yes, Falwell is exactly right!
Years ago Falwell appeared on Nightline with two ex-gay men to spread the word that there were thousands who with God's help overcame their homosexuality and went on to marry and have children.
Of course the opposing side was skeptical and critical and Ted Koppel was as well.
But Mr. Falwell conducted himself well and successfully imparted his positive message. I was quite impressed with the two ex-gay gentleman who accompanied him.
How terribly wrong and evil it is that the media and the prevailing societal attitude denies and discourages homosexuals from getting help to overcome their homosexuality.
Thanks for the information and all your hardwork, scripter! : )
Do you believe it is possible that a woman who at one point had no problems performing oral sex might, later in life, decide it is disgusting and no longer be willing to do so?
If so, then is it not also possible that a man might at some point in life think nothing of having sex with anything he can stick his part into, but later in life realise that such acts are disgusting and no longer desire to do so?
Part of my difficulty here is I can't believe it would be possible to change the gender I am attracted to. I could decide to not be with a woman but I don't think I could change whether I am attracted to a pretty woman.
They claim it is a "genetic" trait when actually the larger Sex Positive Agenda seeks to end all moral judgment over sexual pairings regardless of sex, age, relation, marital status, number, or species of partner(s).
As humans, we can choose to act on our desires or not to. Sex Positive (and certianly Homosexual) advocates claim it is unhealthy to supress a sexual desire. This is why they also oppose abstinence (NOT because "it doesn't work).
A man may or may not be able to get erect looking at a woman (and even heterosexuals are not hot for every woman, see Helen Thomas) but he certainly has a choice as to whether he acts on a sexual impulse to hump something/one. If factors like a wedding ring, boyfriend/girlfriend, age can come into play and make him reconsider acting on that lust, then so can the sex of that object of desire.
If you scratch deep enough in the writings of those who are still angry at McCarthy, you will find them saying "it wasn't a crime to be a Communist". While the familiar mantra is "they weren't really communists", the truth was they saw nothing wrong in it but were too afraid to take THAT stand.
I couldn't agree with you more. Falwell's boys were never "gay" to begin with. Perhaps they were bi, or more likely, they engaged in homosexual behavior out of curiosity, peer pressure, youthful indiscretion, etc. But they were never gay.
Is there a greater stigma in America to be a virgin at 30 than to be "gay"?
And while a man may be able to step away from that lifestyle, he will always be for intensive purposes a bisexual (even if it was just "experimentation"). Odd that there are many ads (in the weekly free newspaper) that ask "Are you bi-curious"? Why is the assumption that anyone who acts on that curiousity IS gay and not a confused heterosexual? I guess they like to add them to their ranks when it comes time to tell us how many people "are" homosexual.
You're quite welcome. I hope some of the folks who have posted here take the time to click the links and read how it's possible to leave the homosexual lifestyle.
I think most can understand and relate to what you said above. I certainly can.
Having said that, IMO, what is key to clearly understanding the issue requires that we listen carefully to the experts and read what ex-gays have said about their struggle.
I must stress this point: In no way is this a simple issue to understand. Understanding the issues surrounding homsexuality and former homosexuals require a lot of time and effort. I very much encourage you (and everybody else) to check out the links I've provided on this thread.
Then sorry you just do not get "freedom from sin", in salvation.
1. I guess you simply can't read. That explains MOST of your ignorance.
I wrote: homosexuality is a profound abnormality. You just MISquoted me. No use discussing with someone who can't read simple prose and insists on MISquoting the person with whom he is having a disagreement.
2. Also you show your ABYSSMAL ignorance of the Bible. Jesus hated the SIN but LOVED the sinner. Just because a person is homosexual doesn't make him a sinner. If he lives a life of chastisty....he is not sinning.
The sin is sex out of marriage. The sin is sodomy, according to the Bible....not simply having the misfortune to be born a homosexual. It is not a CHOICE. Acting on the sexual inclination is the sin....not the "being."
Happy Easter.
Their sin was FIRST marrying men, when they obviously were attracted to other women. What a nasty thing to do to their husbands and children. Their second sin was the ACTION of sex outside of marriage, with each other.
They were probably always HOMOsexual or BIsexual but wanted marriage and children. Lesbians often want the women-thing more than they want another woman. I've seen that very scenario too. Disgusting.
They proved themselves to be so very, very selfish.
By the way, I never used the word "silly" in describing homosexuality so please don't misquote me and put words into my mouth. It makes you look as if you can't read and have no other way of writing than to MISQUOTE people.
Happy Easter.
Get over it. All your quoting just shows that you hate the sinner, as well as his sin.
Everyone, homosexual or heterosexual, is a sinner. Sex outside of marriage is the sin. Sodomy is the sin. BEING what God created one is no sin. ACTING out the deed, COMMITTING the sin is wrong.
Condemning all homosexuals for BEING homosexuals is wrong. Their sin isn't simply being one. It's acting out sex outside of marriage; it's sodomy. Go re-read the part about Jesus loving His sinners.
You are correct.
That goes for compulsive gamblers, former pedophiles, pederasts, rapists, peeping toms, etc.
I understand that the recidivism rate is very high.
It probably holds true for people with uncontrolled eating disorders too. It's very difficult for fatsos to get to normal weight....and even more difficult to stay there. I've read that 10% of the tubbos can stay normal. Maybe I'm wrong. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the same success rate with the other compulsive behaviors.
Amen.
The change HAS to come from within a person, doesn't it? All the force from "without" isn't going to change a person. This holds true for both deviant and non-deviant behavior, I think. Sin comes from within so changing one's sinful behavior requires help/grace from God.
Happy Easter.
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