It was just a paragraph-long item about John Paulk,who for years was the face of the Christian ex-gay movement. This movement advocated "reparative therapy" which would change the same-gender attraction of gays and lesbians. Paulk was the ex-gay who married an ex-lesbian. The organization for which Paulk worked is called Exodus International, a Christian ministry.
Paulk has renounced his former stance and says that he is "truly, truly sorry for the pain I have caused." His marriage of twenty years has come to an end. It sounds as though it was a difficult but amicable parting and she continues believing she has been released from lesbianism.
There has been a lot of humour, often cruel, directed toward so-called ex-gays, and the comedy sketch program This Hour Has Twenty Two Minutes did a particularly caustic skit a while back. Honestly, I am convinced that participants genuinely wanted to change their sexual attraction, and certainly did not want to acknowledge their sexual orientation. Most were in Christian communities which emphasized the sinfulness of homosexuality.
While we hear a lot about states in the US approving gay marriage and denominations making decisions to welcome LGBT members, we can be mindful of all those individuals who work toward a new perception of self. I hope that they realize that they are loved by God regardless of orientation.
I wish Paulk and his former wife well. I also hope they find faith families which accept and support them.
Thoughts?
Local rivers are full to overflowing these days. Read about Canadian rivers at my Groundling blog http://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.ca/2013/06/canadian-rivers.html
8 comments:
I've never understood the fuss, one way or another, because really? I have no business in your bedroom, nor I in yours.
People should be judged by their actions in favour or against the public good, and that's it.
To focus on anything else is to miss the bigger picture.
Like Dr. Phil says about a lot of things "Just build a bridge and get over it!" We are who we are and we came into this world who we are and why try and change our orientation if we are comfortable with it. As long as we are good people deep down in our hearts then what is the fuss all about?
I couldn't agree more with both Ian and dmy.
I think that self love is one of the most important types of love. When people are strong and brave enough to love and except themselves then there should be NO restrictions on who they share their love with.
One of my favorite songs, that really displays this message is Same Love by Maklemore http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=OQngzapK5dM
( Please take some of the lyrics with a grain of salt however the over all message of the song and lyrics are very true and powerful!! It is defiantly worth listening to!!)
Ian and dmy are right - why are we even discussing this issue any more? Non - Christians are way ahead of us !
Thanks all. I appreciate the impatience expressed in several comments. I also think we need to keep reminding ourselves that what we feel is a "done deal" is still an often painful debate and reality in many circles of society.
I hope you give a look and listen to Amy's recommended Youtube video. Thanks Amy!
You are right, David - it is still a painful debate (and more painful for those who live the reality of the situation, either personally or through close friends and family members) - and often because of the way our Hebrew/Christian Scriptures are used to condemn others (nothing new there!) ... we need some solid education in the way these Scriptures were put together, and the context in which they were originally written, etc... and we need education from today's research on the issues and , most of all, we need COMPASSION, without judgment.
Well said Judy.
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