Focus, Exodus Respond to Gay Task Force Criticism of Reparative Therapies

[kweerwolf]

Two conservative, faith-based organizations are responding to charges by a homosexual group that they are hurting teens who are struggling with same-sex attraction by offering parents therapies to turn their children away from homosexuality.

<snip>

Both Focus on the Family and Exodus International are responding to the report and to the criticism being launched their direction. The two ministries affirm that change is possible for anyone, including teens, struggling with homosexual desires -- and that the fashion in which they present their information is both "compassionate and appropriate."

Exodus president Alan Chambers is a former homosexual himself. "We are deeply concerned about these young men and women because so many of us, as former homosexuals, wish we had been aware of the emotional and physical devastation often found in gay life," he says in a press release. He shares that Exodus hears from "thousands" of young people every year who, because of a "one-sided 'born-gay' message that saturates our culture," are desperate for information and resources from a different perspective.

Chambers says that that environment -- one which attempts to force feed the "born-gay" myth upon teens -- is one of the major obstacles facing "ex-gay" ministries. Nevertheless, he says Exodus and Focus "will continue to be an advocate for those youth whose voices have been lost amid the inflammatory rhetoric."

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/3/afa/32006g.asp

Waaaah! Those homos are pickin' on us! :spank:

[MadMaddie]

1. Someone needs to demand that they show proof that their

so called therapy works...What are the suicide rates, depression rates, recidivism rates....these nuts are like the traveling medicine men in the 1800's selling majic health potions, except they are using God as their opiate......

This is criminal what they are doing?

[Erika]

2. Hating gays is what builds their funds

They can gather money from their supporters based on gay hate and them bilk them of more $ to do their "Christian duty" to save the gays from themselves.

Snakeoil salesmen.

[Maat]

4. I used to think that, Erika.

That they were just about money and power.

But, after that South Dakota bill is signed by the governor (the anti-abortion bill), I realized that these guys REALLY DO want a theocracy.

[Erika]

5. They might want it but they are not going to get it

There are many religious ministries who are also fighting the radicals.

[Maat]

8. Amen!

I'm there fighting the good fight right there with ya'!

[Erika]

12. As is the non-rabid Americans n/t

[Maat]

3. Saw that, Kweerwolf. What ticked me off was ..

the quotes from the "psychologists," a Dr. Bill Somebody and, of course, the notorious Throckmorton. Why, oh why, do they retain their state licenses? They should have been taken away long ago, in my humble opinion. Perpetuating "counseling" that all of the major orgs have recognized as very harmful is unconscionable, and they should have lost their licenses long ago!

[Erika]

7. Let the right wing use their witch doctors

as shameful as they are. The truth will eventually come out.

[Maat]

10. I hope so! (n/t)

[kevinbgoode]

6. These people are frauds

They pull this "we hear from thousands of people. . ." crap out of a magic hat. Like anyone dealing with their sexual orientation is going to rush to consult with Spongebob Dobson and the tiny band of "ex-gay-for-pay" Exodus crowd.

If Exodus and Focus is so damned concerned about the "youth whose voices have been lost..."then why don't they feature some of the ex-ex gays who repudiate their scam? Seems like they try desperately to silence these people.

[Erika]

9. Exodus & Focus exist for $ from " hate gay" groups

They rake in the bucks from those who revel in hating those who are different. Then they turn around and charge the suckers bucks to "heal" those they hated 30 seconds earlier. Truly twisted people. I wouldn't give them much attention.

[Maat]

11. "Ex-gay for pay" - I love it!

That's the only "successes" they can point to. Hmmm ... wonder why. Jerks.