Comments on: Ugandan ex-gay conference goes political: US presenter suggests law to force gays into therapy

By: David Blakeslee

David Blakeslee — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:03:00 +0000

Is Exodus’ access to these political leaders due to their Christian faith?
If so, can Exodus and others articulate an argument for “Christian Governtment” that includes tolerance and non-coerciveness?
We all support: “thou shalt not steal.”
But it is hard to put into law, “thou shalt not covet.”

By: Michael Bussee

Michael Bussee — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:14:08 +0000

Exodus International and the International Healing Foundation must now come out clearly and make a statement condemning this proposal.
Well, Alan? What are you waiting for?:

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:01:50 +0000

but there is a smidgeon of truth to what Regan says. Many ex-gays and the organizations that support them use their message to suggest that gay people don’t deserve equal rights –

One of the flaws in her argument is that she directed it in a hostile way to someone who does not fit her accusations – Dr. Throckmorton. How uncool is that?

By: Zoe Brain

Zoe Brain — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:47:12 +0000

Exodus International and the International Healing Foundation must now come out clearly and make a statement condemning this proposal.

Dear Dr Throckmorton- why on Earth would they do such a thing?
I agree that for the most part, people are far better than we give them credit for. It’s all too easy to Demonise people we disagree with.
But there comes a time when you have to face facts. That these particular opponents are not misled, not ignorant, not showing goodwill, and not even “having their hands tied by a few extremists in their organisation”. It’s the people who aren’t hypocrites that are on the fringe, and that provide cover for the rest.
I think you’ll be waiting for a long time. Please draw the requisite conclusions in future dealings. Don’t let the matter drop, don’t give them a pass on this one. Please.
You know, even I hope I’m wrong? I don’t want to believe it myself. I know there are many good people in those organisations who are horrified by this. But the evidence is compelling that they’re not just a minority, but a tiny one. Please tell me in all sincerity that I’m wrong.

By: Jayhuck

Jayhuck — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:14:51 +0000

Go Lynn! 🙂

It’s time to take the gloves off, we’re in a fight that we must win for our ourselves and those who follow us.

By: Jayhuck

Jayhuck — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:13:31 +0000

Jay,
I wholeheartedly agree with you, but there is a smidgeon of truth to what Regan says. Many ex-gays and the organizations that support them use their message to suggest that gay people don’t deserve equal rights – if they can “change”, why give them rights – and some straight people lock onto such a message. It can be powerful!
BUT – you are absolutely right – you, I and everyone else in this country, and in others, have the right to live our lives as we see fit within the eyes of the law and according to our values! 🙂 I hope you are doing well btw!!!

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:38:25 +0000

Regan – What Jay said.
And that was your one shot to disparage people. Either abide by the commenting guidelines or take it somewhere else.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:23:55 +0000

Being ex gay yourself, and supportive of it, gives credence to heterosexuals who are the powerful majority in this country that THEIR actions against gay people are correct and desirable.

That’s ridiculous, Regan. I should get to live my life as I see fit. The only way bigots get to use my life as a weapon is if I let them, and I never do. Are you basically asking that ex-gays hide their beliefs and be silent? Well, I refuse. No human being should live life that way. I will live my life openly and I will also speak out against the horrible things that are being supported in Uganda. Try and stop me, dear.
And don’t you dare call me worthless.

By: Lynn David

Lynn David — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:58:03 +0000

Exodus perhaps should have gotten rid of Schmierer before this incident. According to his LinkedIn profile Don Schmierer is a "Program Officer" at Fieldstead & Company. According to their website, "Fieldstead is a private company that manages the assets of the Howard F. Ahmanson, Jr. family. Among other things, one of the functions of Fieldstead & Company is to help manage the family's various philanthropic programs as part of a Christian worldview." Ahmanson was a lifelong associate of R. J. Rushdoony and served on the board of the Chalcedon Foundation as well as supporting it financially. Together Rushdoony and Ahmanson have given new impetus to the modern Christian Reconstructionist or Dominionist movement. Ahmanson has appeared to ameliorate his own ultra-right wing views when even some republicans returned his donations to their campaigns. Ahmanson is reported to have never been for the death penalty for homosexuals like Rushdoony but he's probably not far from it. And Fieldstead is reported to have given just shy of $1 million to the "Yes on (H)8" campaign. See Wikipedia for the biblography on these assertions. If not before it is rather obvious now that Exodus is completely at odds with letting gay peoples live with any sense of dignity whether that be in Africa or the United States. There is this man Schmeirer on their board, who represents those who would create laws like that of Uganda and worse here in America, Chambers has spoken at "Value Voters" gatherings against us, and they all speak lies about laws such as ENDA. It's time to take the gloves off, we're in a fight that we must win for our ourselves and those who follow us.

By: Jayhuck

Jayhuck — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:14:40 +0000

If a group such as Exodus, who purports to be loving and caring – who purports to be an organization of Christians is willing to let so much time elapse without speaking out on this issue, they have lost any shred of credibility they might have had. Its time for good people everywhere to demand they speak out against this – the fact that it takes a public outcry to get them to do what they should do WITHOUT prodding … they should be so ashamed of themselves!