2008 Woodie Awards
Christian organization says all homosexuals unhappy, desire change
By: Stephanie Kiszczak
Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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According to Exodus International, a Christian organization that prides itself in transforming homosexuals into heterosexuals, it's a start. Exodus made a trip to St. Louis Feb. 25 to help people escape "sinful" lives. The conference was sponsored by Exodus International and Focus on the Family, an evangelical organization that just last year raised the idea that the lovable sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea - SpongeBob Squarepants - was gay. The Love Won Out Conference, which is in its eighth year, was held at the First Evangelical Free Church in Manchester, Mo. This was the first time the conference took place in St. Louis.
Some in the St. Louis gay community and their supporters stood outside the church in peaceful protest. The one-day conference consisted of testimonials from ex-gay people and offered help to those in the St. Louis area who wish to live a life of heterosexuality, but don't know where to begin.
Billboards decorated the sides of St. Louis highways, with a picture of a man's face and the words: "I questioned homosexuality. Change is possible. Discover how." The billboard on Interstate 64/U.S. Highway 40 was vandalized with, "And My Answer is YES!" covering the billboard's statement about discovering change. A gay pride flag covers the bottom left corner of the billboard with the faint red lettering of "Right wing scum, your time has come!!!"
People make their own decisions regarding sexual preference. Exodus International and its 125-plus ministries in the United States and Canada believe in what they interpret from the Bible, as denoted on their Web site, "God declares in the Bible that homosexual and lesbian activities are sin (Romans 1:26-27)." But their understanding of the Bible focuses on a trifle few passages, ignoring how the Bible overwhelmingly preaches love, acceptance and tolerance in countless more cases.
But while groups like Exodus and Focus on the Family may help others on their anticipated path to homosexuality, they are a prime example of why homosexual individuals feel ostracized in society.
Anti-gay organizations contribute to a growing fear of homosexuality and make the delicate process of determining one's sexual preference and "coming out" more difficult. The gay community has long been the target of harassment, ridicule and violence.
The problem with Exodus International isn't with their convictions - everyone has the right to think their own thoughts, believe what they choose to believe and be their own person - but their in-your-face approach to anti-homosexuality isn't the right way to reach out to those who might want their help.
Exodus, and other similar groups, uses scare tactics and intimidation to make others see things the way they do. The approach is ineffective because the method is offensive. However, Exodus' Web site says the organization doesn't discriminate against homosexual men and women who are Christian, so long as the individual admits that his or her sexual preference is indeed a sin. In that case, Exodus will welcome the person with open arms.
The Web site also features ex-gay testimonials from men, women, teenagers and those with AIDS who have found that "change is possible" through the help of the organization. "Crying behind the mask," a testimonial by a Rebekah Johnston, reads, "As a lesbian, I tried to live behind a false front of happiness. But inside I was miserable." Exodus makes it sound like all homosexuals are unhappy and secretly yearn for a "normal" life of heterosexuality.
A heterosexual myself, I was nervous and far from comfortable as I scoured through the contents of the Web site. After clicking on the "prayer request form" link, which has you fill out a form specifying who the anti-gay prayer is for, I felt my stomach churn. If I feel like this and the issue doesn't directly affect me, how would others directly involved in the issue feel?
Exodus International should not only reevaluate its approach to homosexuality, but also practice what is truly preached in the Bible.
Stephanie Kiszczak, a senior journalism major, is managing editor for The Journal.