My brother is a Presbyterian minister. We are not close as you can imagine but occasionally we have email exchanges which inevitably turn out to be debates. But this one has just sickened me. Here is what I wrote to him.
"Dear XX
I noticed at one of your churches, (years ago) you had literature on a program that taught gay people how to be straight. I am curious if this is the group and what you have to say about it now.
Love,
XXXXXXXXXXXXX"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDiYeJ_bsQo&feature=related (A video of ex-gay "therapists who have now realized how wrong they were and are apologizing for the harm they have caused.
And this is the response I get in return, no compassion, no mention of the video, nothing.
"Dear XXX,
I am not sure what specifically you are referring to in your email. At the same time, I am friends with many of the folk from One by One, a ministry of and by ex homosexuals in the Presbyterian Church. I was present at their founding in 1993 and they asked me to be on the board, but I declined since I had already agreed to work with Sue Cyre in the founding of Theology Matters. At that same General Assembly I met Joe Nicolosi, the psychiatrist most noted for reparative therapy, assisting those who wish to be rid of homosexual desires. One by One is now part of Exodus International, the best known of the ministries for ex homosexuals. I picked up a brochure from them at the GA and will be asking the session of Fairview if it wishes to join its church association network.
Does this get at what you are asking?
Love,
XXX"
I am already checking out Exodus international and have yet to look up this psychiatrist Joe Nicolosi.
What I am asking is if anyone knows about these groups or a good, (short) place where I can send him so he can "see" the harm that he is in inflicting or supporting. Right now he is a wall against a wall against a wall with regard to him own emotions and I suppose that has something to do with his complete lack of compassion for the ex-gay realities.
I never noticed any homosexual attributes in him when he was getting into girls and such and I know a few broke his heart. BUT I came out as gay around the age of 27 and it was after that that he became actively involved in the politics of the Presbytery to ban gays from being ministers.
(years after coming out and having some long relationships I started liking men again.......I am a real bi-sexual. I mention this only because I have spoken about men here and I want to make sure no one thinks I am making anything up)