Shall We Start a New "Ex-gay" Team?

[schoolboi]

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 starting this tread to see if anyone may be interested in starting a new team to feel this need.

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.

Post away!

Corey H.

[Joe Brummer]

Hey Corey,
I would be very interested in helping out with this idea. If there is something I can do to help, please let me know. I am focusing on the Stephen Bennett Ministry right now and have really been working on it by myself. I am in the process of writing a letter to Stephen to request some sort of a dialog between us. I would also be very interested in starting a letter campaign to Stephen much like the one that was done for Dr. Dobson.

If you have any thoughts on this I would love to hear them.


Joe Brummer

[NathanATX]

I think this is a HUGE need we have!

I just sent Stephen & Irene Bennet a strongly worded email. We'll see if they reply.

nathan

[Joe Brummer]

Don't expect a reply, I email them about once a week to request a meeting or a phone call. I usually talk much about how I feel their must be a way he can complete his mission, but not demean or dehumanize gays and lesbians. I have yet to get a reply. My next request will be posted on my site and publically, maybe that will stir him to call me, but I am not holding my breath.

I have made some great friends who are ex-gays, and they are very supportive of my work on this subject, one in particular comes to my defense on the STR web discussion board. Great folks!

[SolInvictus]

Let me know if I can help in any way...

I write articles for my church newsletter & encourage pro-lgbt activism at the local level.

Having been indirectly affected by such so-called "ex-gay" movements, I'd like to help in some way.

[Joe Brummer]

It would be very helpful if people could spread the word either via email or other to write Stephen a letter or email similar to those sent to James Dobson from Dr. Dear Dobson. Following the Soulforce idea that maybe he is just misinformed about the truth, maybe he has really thought about those that his messages hurt.

I would also encourage people to join his STR web discussion board and leave a similar but polite, repsectful message as to who it is he hurts. Maybe his readers also need to learn the truth. He never talks about the happy, healthy, stable same sex couples out there raising great healthy kids.

Remind him he should visit www.colage.org and see for himself the gays make great parents!

I continue to update and build my website blog with info about Stephen and his misguided mission. I have added a list of Stephen quotes. If anyone has quotes to add from either Stehphen or his wife, I would be happy to add anything you find that can be documented that he really said it.

I would be so happy to not feel like I am fighting Stephen's mission by myself.

[Joe Brummer]

I just wanted to report that I have secured the web domains of www.straighttalkradio.net and straightalkradio.com. I will be redirecting these sites to my site where I will continue to refute the false claims of this talk show and refute the lies they spread. If others are interested in taking part in this effort please feel free to visit my blog at www.joebrummer.ocm/WordPress or email at joebrummer@joebrummer.com. Any help would be so appreciated, I have felt for a couple months that I am in this fight alone, and would so love to know others are with me in changing the path of the messages spread by this show.


I am fully committed to a peaceful and nonviolent resolution to this, but I am also willing to do what it takes to makes this hate find love.

[schoolboi]

Sounds like we have some interest. You all seem to have good ideas.

What I am particularly interested in is developing on official Soulforce team much like our Catholic, Methodist, & Baptist teams etc. that would monitor Exodus and individual "ex-gay ministries". The team would be able to develop recommendations to take to the Soulforce board and staff in regard to possible actions that could be taken by Soulforce as a whole to confront the untruth. It would also support our local groups in their confrontation with local "ex-gay" events and organizations.

Since there is an interest to form a team, I will contact the appropriate folks on the board and see if its ok to have a conference call and get things started.

Stay tuned . . .

[Joe Brummer]

Originally Posted by schoolboi

Sounds like we have some interest. You all seem to have good ideas.

What I am particularly interested in is developing on official Soulforce team much like our Catholic, Methodist, & Baptist teams etc. that would monitor Exodus and individual "ex-gay ministries". The team would be able to develop recommendations to take to the Soulforce board and staff in regard to possible actions that could be taken by Soulforce as a whole to confront the untruth. It would also support our local groups in their confrontation with local "ex-gay" events and organizations.

Since there is an interest to form a team, I will contact the appropriate folks on the board and see if its ok to have a conference call and get things started.

Stay tuned . . .

I am new to Soulforce, but I would be completely committed to such an effort. Whatevery I can do to help I will!

[learner]

I think this would be an interesting thing for me a straight guy to do.
Having come from a Protestant/Fundamental back ground and living in Jimmy Swaggarts home town.
I have been reading posts and am saddened by most of what I have read.Straight people have as many or more problems as Gays.Whose side is Jesus on today.How does one define a man or a woman?There are men like myself all over the world and this country working toward being men.Something we have given up or has been taken from us.It is sad to be a white straight man today.Excuse the adjectives.
One thing that peoples have given up is their personal truths and these are so entangled in the fish net of life and trying to define who we are ,or Iam.
Enough for now.I am getting pst'd .I will continue to monitor the sight.Again thanks for letting me be here.Good Luck.
learner

[Big-Cheese]

Blessings all. Moving on

[Joe Brummer]

Hey Big CHeese,
I am sorry to hear you are having a tough time. I hope these links will be of services to you.

www.godmademegay.com

http://www.whosoever.org/index.shtml

[pnggrad79]

I know it is a scary, scary, place to be trying to reconcile your sexuality with your spirituality. Especially, when you have been taught all your life that it is wrong. Believe me, I have discovered that many, many things that I grew up with and were sure that they were correct, have since been dismantled as God revealed His truth to me. I encourage you to let go of the religious chains that bind you, and let God speak to you, because He doesn't condemn. (There is now therefore no condemnation to them who love the Lord) He didn't come down off the cross and refuse to die for you, because you're gay. He loves you, He longs for a relationship with you and more than anything He wants to give you an abundant life(John 10:10). Abundant lives don't include doubt, fear, misery, or discontent.The last thing satan wants is for a gay person to be free. He wants you to stay stuck in the mire of self-judgment and condemnation. Don't mistake that for God. God does not judge and he does not condemn. As a child of God, your sins were paid for on the cross when Jesus died. Your judgment is over, Jesus took care of it for you. If you can get to a bookstore, or off Amazon you need to read Mel White's biography,"Stranger At The Gate". It was the first book I read when I came out and it helped me through a very rough time. This wonderful man struggled for years with his sexuality and finally let go of the struggle and decided to live as a gay man when he started listening to God and not man. Also, Philip Yancey's book, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" is a good one. Mr. Yancey is a good friend of Mel White and he wrote a whole chapter on Mel's journey and his viewpoint of it in the book. God Bless you, Big Cheese. I hope this helps. We will pray for you.

[SolInvictus]

To repeat the wise words of other members, BigCheese:
God loves you just as you are - gay. There is nothing wrong with us nor are we "sinful" by being ourselves.
In Peace,
Sol Invictus

God Bless you & give you peace of mind.

[Zerbie]

I wish I could toss you a handful of the security I feel in the Lord's love - but no one can do that. That is part of your personal journey and personal relationship with God.

All I can think of to say now is Hang In There! Here's something to try, if you feel inclined, if you are an intuitive type, it might appeal to you:

Surrender to the insecurity and uncertainty just long enough to get to a place where you are receptive, and then spend some time ALL BY YOURSELF in prayer and contemplation. Do not allow other people - and that includes us, btw, well-meaning as we are - to influence you at that moment. Go as deeply into your heart as you can go, sink down into the life-force and love that is in there. If you find that peace, that love, (sometimes you will just find that your surface emotions intensify, and that's okay, just try again later) - if you find that peace, then sit with it and listen for a while. If you have a question, give the question to God at that moment, and then just wait, observing what happens within you.

It's easy to go round in endless intellectual/philosophical circles about being gay, and whether that means something special in your relationship with God. Remember that it's all intellectual - and when you're tired of it, do something to short-circuit the circular thought patterns. Get involved in some of your other interests/passions, and just let life play out the way it will. Trust that whatever you feel is okay to feel - life itself gave you the capacity to feel, to love, to enjoy. . .

Let us know if we can help some more. Meanwhile, wishing you strength and peace.

Big hugs.

Zerbie

[Big-Cheese]

Thank you all so so much for your help. I have another question but im starting a new thread so you can get to me in it please! Love you all!xx