Turning Gay Teens Straight

[BR_Parkway]

http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=E46B7C69-EBD7-4429-A26F-DFC31CC02016
Posted: 6/6/2005 10:54:44 PM

Angry protesters battle it out with members of a Mid-South group who are trying to turn gay teens straight! Protesters say the Christian based organization “Love In Action” is brain washing kids and putting them in danger. The program’s organizers say they’re giving gay teens a guide to a straight lifestyle, through prayer.

Reverend John Smid says “The truth is that if someone is expressing themselves homosexually, they are involving themselves in inappropriate sexual conduct.” Smid has been the executive director of “Love In Action” for the past 19 years. He makes no apologies for his strong beliefs about gay and lesbian lifestyles. Smid says he used to be gay, and says sexual exploration by youth is out of control. “Youth are involved in sexual expression through internet pornography through internet communications and physical relationships in heterosexual and homosexual ways, it’s all out of control.” Rev. Smid says “Love In Action” only aligns teens’ sexuality with their parents Christian beliefs.

Protesters showed up in front of the refuge today to protest. Janelle Treibitz says it’s wrong to force kids to participate. “They lump homosexuals with drug and alcohol abuse as if it’s somehow on the same plane, as if it’s something that needs to be treated or healed.”

Protesters fear the long-term effects on families. One protester says “When you have these very natural feelings and you are forced into something like this from your parents who you would hope would be a center of love and guidance and support for you, it’s just a really harmful thing.”

And watch this video -

http://www.wmcstations.com/global/video/WorldNowASX.asp?playerType=native&ClipID1=441339&h1=Scared%20Straight%3A%20Tony%20McNary&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=189433&LaunchPageAdTag=Homepage&activePane=info&playerVersion=6

[SteppingRazor]

1. Prediction!

News story in 5 years:

Reverend John Smid was accused yesterday of molesting some 112 teenage boys, all of whom came to him for guidance under his "Love In Action" program...

[Zenlitened]

2. I swear, I was just going to post essentially the same thing.

It's practically a sure bet, isn't it? :crazy:

[BR_Parkway]

3. Oh, he's got some issues, no doubt - check out this lovely quote:

"I would rather you commit suicide than have you leave Love In Action wanting to return to the gay lifestyle. In a physical death you could still have a spiritual resurrection; whereas, returning to homosexuality you are yielding yourself to a spiritual death from which there is no recovery." --The Final Indoctrination from John Smid, Director, Love In Action (LIA), San Rafael's "ex-gay" clan.

[handywork]

4. you have to respect the insanity....

"Rather you commit suicide than have you leave LIA wanting to return to the gay lifestyle"

That comment takes a special kind of crazy...love that

[sui generis]

7. I would rather he commit suicide than have him destroy any

other humans.

1. It's not a lifestyle, it's a life
2. sexuality is not black or white - there are lots of colors in between

[Dark]

12. Yea, but they don't like them coloreds', remember? n/t

[Catfight]

6. What? He's avocating suicide for teenagers? Why isn't he locked up? nt

[davidinalameda]

13. where did you get this quote

and isn't suicide one of the worst sins a person can commit?

so literally the kid is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, according to these fucks

[Catfight]

5. 5 years? I say within the next few months. He's obsessed with sex.

[SteppingRazor]

8. Eh, it's just the first number that came to mind.

You get the idea.

Mind you, I'm not saying gay men have a prediliction for pedophilia. Far from it. I'm saying that people as confused about their orientation as Mr. Smid probably have other issues.

[Catfight]

11. I understood what you were staying. I totally agree with you. nt

[nevergiveup]

9. This is so depressing

This man will burn in hell :evilfrown:

[oneold1-4u]

10. Misuse of Love

"inappropriate sexual conduct"
Is a minister holding on to or hugging a child or teen far too long or to often! Sexually approaching any child, teen, or adult anytime!
Priests, ministers, and all preachers seem to believe they are like Drs. and have good reason to explore and exploit other human bodies, misusing the word LOVE!

[sundog]

14. they must feed them guilt for breakfast, lunch & dinner

:eyes:

[dsc]

15. These people really are evil

I nearly went to one of these places as a college sophomore. Only the fact my parents' insurance wouldn't pay kept me from doing so. They prey on desperate people who want something they can't have. They are as much a fraud as people who 'read' your future for money on the boardwalk. They should be target one for any bunko squad.

[Maat]

16. Where is this - in what state?