Bringing Truth to "Straight Talk Radio"

[alspaughb]

I'm sure Soulforce is already well aware of the damage caused by so-called "ex-gay ministries." Lately, I've been concerned about one called the "Stephen Bennett Ministries." Evidently, Stephen and Irene have launched a nationwide daily radio program called "Straight Talk Radio." You can listen to his program online at:

http://www.straighttalkradio.org
http://www.sbministries.org

His latest four-part program called, "The 10 Most Effective Ways to Reach a Homosexual for Jesus Christ" is so jam-packed with untruths and sneaky ways to manipulate gays and lesbians that I can't even begin to go into them all. Apparently, he is so bad he has been banned from the airwaves in Canada.

Is there any way we could hear his former gay partner's side of the story? I get the feeling we are only getting one side of the story of how he became an "ex-gay."

Is Soulforce monitoring this particular ministry? Has Mel tried to talk to Stephen? Is it time for some sort of action to bring truth to the Stephen Bennett ministries in Huntington Connecticut?

Speaking of radio, in my opinion the religious fundamentalists have dominated the airwaves for way too long with their untruths about homosexuality. Here in Columbia Missouri I'm really troubled by a lot of things I hear on our right-wing "Christian" radio stations running programs like "Focus on the Family." Does anyone know of effective ways to put pressure on these radio stations? Advertiser boycotts maybe? Complaints to the FCC?

Bruce Alspaugh

[SolInvictus]

I have to agree that fundamentalists are being destructive to many by their words on public radio & tv. My former psychologist wanted me to attend "LoveWonOut" sponsored by Focus on the Family. Fortunantly, I did not attend, and found a better psychologist. Obviously, the "ex gay" ministries do not work, and yes the public needs to realize it.

Perhaps people on this forum can recommend a positive action - personally, I'm unsure how to respond as my father (pastor) & stepmom are fundamentalists. However, my mom & stepdad are very supportive and understanding, especially after I let them read Mel's books. Luckily, they are moderate/mainline in comparison to my dad's family.

[Catt of the Garage]

Does anyone know of effective ways to put pressure on these radio stations? Advertiser boycotts maybe? Complaints to the FCC?

Why not start by just writing to them and presenting the opposite point of view? They probably don't get many informed and polite letters on this subject and they might even read them out, though there's no guarantee.

[Joe Brummer]

After learning about Straight Talk Radio (STR) I have started to post the science that refutes his lies on the STR web discussion board. I knew that wouldn't last, so I started a blog. I don't always get to listen to his show, so if other do and want to help refute it please let me know.

the blog is at www.joebrummer.com/WordPress

I have also purchased the domain www.straighttalkradio.net which was not owned, I plan to redirect that site to the blog where the lies of STR will be refuted.

[schoolboi]

I have been aware of Stephen Bennett and his “ministry” for over a year. I have been monitoring his rhetoric unofficially for the same period of time. I have to say that he is the most abrasive “ex-gay” figure that I have ever encountered. His claims are outrageous and his tactics are over the top.

This particular segment of anti-gay religion has been on my heart for some time. I suffered under the myth of the “ex-gay” movement for some time. I feel called to stand against it.

At this time Soulforce does not have a specific team that is dedicated to monitoring the “ex-gay” movement or to developing plans of action for bringing the truth to them relentlessly. I am going to start another thread specifically to discuss forming a new team to confront this issue.
The thread ---> Shall we start a new "ex-gay" team?

[NathanATX]

I thought his show on "brokeback mountain" was ridiculous. They are very cleary just pawns of the religious right. They're very bad actors and come across highly uneducated. The entire show is scripted, their little "laughs" are hysterical.

But in the end, their rhetoric is damaging, untrue & un-Christian.