But the substance was what Timothy and Michael said.

Thanks for that position.

I think it might be a bit helpful if those who heard them make these hateful attacks were also to hear that they were criticized for it. If they won’t apologize for their bad behavior (which would be best) then perhaps future confrontation might be public. Otherwise the observer who sees you on the platforum with the violator has to assume that you support – or at least condone – such behavior. They have no reason to think otherwise.

Whenever someone uses inflamatory and/or hateful language I confront it. Sometimes that is public and sometimes it isn’t.

Calling people sissies, fags, sodomites or the like is wrong. if someone uses that type of language after I have confronted them, no I won’t appear with them again.

Alan

http://familypolicy.net/papers/?p=378

I agree with Eddy, above. The time for “hype” (intentional or accidental) is past. It’s not so much that my “incessant plea” is to ”DEFINE the change”. It would be better just to DESCRIBE it. Tell the stories without the misleading buzz words. And take strong and decisive action whevever an EXODUS affiliate (or any associated group or individual) in violation of the new Policy Statement comes to light. For example, let’s start with complete distance from Cameron and any group that supports his dubious “research” or hateful attitudes.

Are you going to follow through on this stance against bullying through concrete action, for example by not appearing at any more events with Bishop Wellington “God has not called us to be sissies!” Boone?

Thanks for the Exodus statement on Bullying and Violence and also for stopping in for a few comments. I’m also glad to hear that my ‘guess’ was correct…that a local group re-edited the radio press release and shifted the emphasis. (It was on my agenda for this evening to ‘call you to task’ about the wording of the radio ad.)

I know that, in the past, Exodus tended not to give strong directives to its member organizations (you must do this…you must say this…etc.) but I’m wondering if some compromise can’t be struck. Perhaps someone could present a thoughtful session for ministry leaders at this year’s conference addressing the problems of using ‘christianese’ when speaking to a secular market and the real value of Michael Bussee’s incessant plea…”define YOUR change”. (Not necessarily yours, Alan, but any Exodus or ministry spokesperson who uses the word in a public setting.)

I believe that if Exodus keeps its original theme (making sure that gays had the same opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel as any one else), there should be no embarrassment in a leader saying where they’ve come from and where they’re at. For some reason (partly of Exodus’ making) people are getting a message of ‘no more homosexual temptations’ and of ‘living happily straight’ even though this is not the norm. I believe that the Bible’s promises of forgiveness, comfort, wisdom and the grace to endure temptations are, in themselves, enough of a selling point for the Gospel; we really don’t need to ‘hype it’. And the sharing of the individual experience of these promises would yield more fruit than ambiguous words like ‘change’.

I’ve admitted in previous blogs that my first years worth of ‘teachings’ leaned towards the charismatic side…’change’, ‘healing’, ‘freedom’…without defining them. But, then, I began to make a concentrated effort to focus on finding grace and strength for each day, for each new obstacle, for each new phase of spiritual growth. I’ve maintained here that Exodus must believe in a “process” or they wouldn’t have had me back to teach “Roots” and “Lessons for the Battlefield”. (If everybody gets ‘instantly changed’ who needs lessons for daily struggles?) I believe that many who post here would be happier if only the current leaders would also ‘tell it like it is’.

Thanks again for ‘chiming in’. I don’t envy your position in the least! May God grant you the wisdom and discernment to steer effectively.

Live up to what, Michael? I haven’t seen that they’ve committed to anything. How many Exodus resources are going to stop bullying and harrasement versus how many resrouces are going to oppose Hate Crimes Legislation.

Even without the second paragraph it’s an empty statement.