I have thought about collating these stories into an article but am a little nervous about the firestorm that might result.

Dr. Throckmorton, I think it would be extremely useful if you did this! I am sure that the result would be of material assistance to many. However, I can understand your concern about the possible consequences.

He does a lot of teleconferences and “healing seminars” where 10-20 poor folks are subjected to his teachings. I have spoken to dozens of people who have been in one of them. They all tell similar stories. Some like Cohen and some don’t, but they tell similar stories about what he does. I have thought about collating these stories into an article but am a little nervous about the firestorm that might result.

They have told me that he cries about how he has been treated because of his beliefs, that he has sworn at his clients, that he berates them and ther are some reports I am reluctant to believe. One supporter reported on film that participants could not ask him a question directly but rather had to ask a co-presenter (he must have been “the artist formerly know as Richard” that day).

I am willing to believe that he has been involved with thousands, but I am extremely skeptical that he has helped that many.

Cohen may be referencing not only his individual work, but his work at public speaking and his publishing work…that would easily make thousands.

By contrast, it is interesting that the president of NARTH says (at http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000010419.cfm)

“It also confirms what we have seen evidenced in hundreds of individuals who have benefited from the help of NARTH therapists”.

I do not know the current total number of NARTH practitioner members, but it’s certainly more than, say, 10.

So, how come Cohen – one individual – achieves “thousands”, whereas the total membership of NARTH practitioners only manages “hundreds” between them all?

A personal appeal to “social justice” that seeks less “civil rights” and more personal accountability.

We have created a culture that says sex, marriage and childbearing have no necessary relationship to each other. This culture, like any culture, is made up of the decisions of all of us: the things we choose to do and not do, the justifications we offer for our actions, the things we celebrate and the things we condemn. We have an indirect impact on the culture and therefore on the people around us. Every problem of the poor is exacerbated by the failure of marriage. The “alternatives to marriage” are destroying the culture of the poor.

From: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/how_cohabitation_is_a_sin_against_social_justice

If that isn’t a golden calf, I don’t know what is.

Lastly, the vast material I see referencing homosexuality in 1 Cor (”Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” . . . not that I agree with this translation) just fails to mention the rest of the list and ask what that actually means today. Good on you for preaching through this list, Eddy, because I have asked dozens of people (who have disfellowshiped homosexuals) if they have ever refused to fellowship with a greedy person and no one has ever answered yes. What are idolaters in the modern church? There are no golden calves to worship but I am sure it goes on, just more subtly but no less sinful. Many of the other terms on this list were referring to the people who would use their money to got to court to get unjust rulings against the poor. But this happens all the time among Christians who have money to buy their own justice

I know!!!! Amazing how selective we can be. I must admit – I have smiled and shaken hands with people I despise and have also done business with them.

That being said, the shopping centre your mentioned does have a right to decide which groups do what in their centre. It’s not a matter of legislation, is it? One hopes that if they really don’t want religious beliefs represented, that they are equal opportunity discriminators, and would say the same to Muslims, Scientologists and Mormons.

I am interested in the Romans sermon, too (email me off list is this is too tangential daniel.batt@bigpond.com). From what you said it didn’t seem to be a matter of legislation one way or another, but what was the problem? Curious.

Lastly, the vast material I see referencing homosexuality in 1 Cor (“Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” . . . not that I agree with this translation) just fails to mention the rest of the list and ask what that actually means today. Good on you for preaching through this list, Eddy, because I have asked dozens of people (who have disfellowshiped homosexuals) if they have ever refused to fellowship with a greedy person and no one has ever answered yes. What are idolaters in the modern church? There are no golden calves to worship but I am sure it goes on, just more subtly but no less sinful. Many of the other terms on this list were referring to the people who would use their money to got to court to get unjust rulings against the poor. But this happens all the time among Christians who have money to buy their own justice. And, no, I really am not talking about you in any way, Eddy