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What Keeps Us Silent?
PFOX ^ | April 19, 2004 | Jeff Johnson

Posted on 04/19/2005 10:20:01 AM PDT by scripter

I believe it is imperative that we proclaim the truth of healing from homosexuality in the secular arena. What are some of the reasons we (as ex-gays) remain silent?  For some of us it’s fear. What will they think of me? What if they laugh at my story?  How will the media portray me? What if they don’t believe me?  Am I healed enough?  How will this affect my family?

Besides fear, I think a lot of what motivated me was shame. I was ashamed of my brokenness and sin. I’d worked so hard to fit into the church and into the world of men – and now I have to go broadcast my struggles?

Not just shame, but pride is involved here. My pride did not want to admit to others that I had this struggle.  My job at Regeneration (ex-gay ministry) has led me to testify before committees of the Maryland General Assembly; to tell my story to congressional staffers at the U.S. Capitol; to protest at the American Psychiatric Convention; and to have my story recounted in a two-page spread in The Baltimore Sun.  So much for living a “normal, quiet life.”   To be honest, I did not go looking for these opportunities, but I chose to say yes when they came my way. Each time I tell my story, I strike another blow at fear, shame, and pride.

A final matter that keeps some of us silent is feeling overwhelmed.  What can I do to take on the whole culture? Thankfully, I’m not responsible for all that. But I can do small things: writing a letter to the editor, calling an irresponsible television network, and speaking out at work when others denigrate healing. If you would like to be better informed or have a few suggestions for where to start, give our office a call (410-661-0284) and we will send you a list of suggestions.

I could write a whole column about this, or even a book, but suffice it  is to say that all the evidence here is on our side. At every level – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – homosexual behavior is destructive. Speaking the truth about homosexuality literally saves lives.

Not everyone is called or gifted at working in the media or in politics, not all of us are called to full-time ministry, but more of us must speak up about this issue.  I believe God is calling more of us to get out and tell our stories, to tell what we know about the destructiveness of homosexual behavior and about God’s redemption – how God changed us.

More strugglers, more parents, more family members.  All of us are called to engage in the world around us, speaking the truth in love to a hurting world. There is no one better for this job. If not us, then whom?


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: exgay; exgays; formerhomosexual; gay; homosexual; homosexualagenda; homosexuality; pfox

Spitzer Study Published.... Spitzer is interviewed in the I Do Exist video.

1 posted on 04/19/2005 10:20:06 AM PDT by scripter
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To: little jeremiah; DirtyHarryY2K; EdReform; Clint N. Suhks
Ping.

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)
Homosexual Keyword Search

2 posted on 04/19/2005 10:21:22 AM PDT by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: scripter

It is important to remember Galations 6:1...

We had a "Gay Day" at a local high school and the next day we had a bunch of "Christian Conservatives" foaming at the mouth with placards in front of the school.

They did more damage to Christianity, and Conservatism than the homosexuals did.. they walked RIGHT INTO THE TRAP.

The local paper had people quoted saying "When they get to Heaven, Jesus is gonna smoke them!".. this is false doctrine at a minimum and more likely totally ignorant.

We have to demonstrate love and counsel the unwise, in a wise way, or we ourselves have fallen away from Him.


3 posted on 04/19/2005 10:26:19 AM PDT by Paloma_55
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To: scripter

Anne Heche is now married and has a child and considers her time with Ellen DeGeneres a mistake.


4 posted on 04/19/2005 10:34:07 AM PDT by sportutegrl
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To: Paloma_55
Indeed, high school students aren't always known for having great theology or for displaying skills of diplomacy. And then we have the biased reporter that twists words, but that's another issue entirely.

I think the high schoolers would have had much better results if they wore shirts of hope. T-shirts that had messages regarding ex-gays or former homosexuals.

We're seeing more homosexuals admit their behavior is a choice. And fortunately, the number of former homosexuals is growing. So to me, getting this message out in regards to hope in leaving the homosexual lifestyle is key.

5 posted on 04/19/2005 10:40:28 AM PDT by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: sportutegrl
Anne Heche is now married and has a child and considers her time with Ellen DeGeneres a mistake.

A perfect example. Thanks.

6 posted on 04/19/2005 10:41:15 AM PDT by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: scripter

The think tanks, foundations and storefront organizations which promote first: Sexual immorality & abortion rights. Secondly: easy divorce and Thirdly: drugs. Fourthly: Feminism. Fifthly: the Homo./Les. Movement and all general attacks on our society, hate it when someone becomes a living testament showing that the liberal propaganda is a lie. Soon there will be an army of those liberated from the left telling of their victories over the doctrines of demons.


7 posted on 04/19/2005 10:45:46 AM PDT by clearsight
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To: clearsight
...hate it when someone becomes a living testament showing that the liberal propaganda is a lie.

There are many freepers who refuse to believe ex-gays or former homosexuals exist. Getting the truth out there is so important and in following the author of this article, I'm doing what I can to help spread the news that former homosexuals exist... and their numbers are growing.

8 posted on 04/19/2005 10:51:06 AM PDT by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: Paloma_55
the next day we had a bunch of "Christian Conservatives" foaming at the mouth

That's just like a good liberal, call people names because you disagree with them. This was a planned demonstration across the country should you bother to keep up with the news. If you've got a problem with political demonstrations against the practice of homosexuality you've got more in conflict with His teachings than any "foaming at the mouth Christian Conservative". He said Go And Sin No More, that doesn't mean we accept the sin, it means we shun it. Telling militant homosexuals their behavior is wrong is what this national demonstration was about.

"When they get to Heaven, Jesus is gonna smoke them!".

One bad egg doesn't spoil the bunch unless one wishes to demegougue.

9 posted on 04/19/2005 10:53:31 AM PDT by Clint N. Suhks (WARNING: EXPOSURE TO THE SON MAY PREVENT BURNING.)
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To: scripter

I am in agreement with you.

Possible T-shirt themes...

"You don't have to be gay"
"Choose a positive life"
"Don't give in"
"He died for all of us"
"Born Human..everything else is a choice"

I bet the list could get pretty long.


10 posted on 04/19/2005 11:16:58 AM PDT by Paloma_55
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To: Clint N. Suhks

Dude... *I* am a Christian Conservative.

I found the behavior of the crowd offensive. They were not demonstrating love or compassion. They were demonstrating EXACTLY what the homosexual activists wanted them to.

It was not I that tagged them Christian Conservatives, it was the media. Like I said, they played right into the hands of those they oppose.

Galatians 6:1 talks about how to communicate to someone when they are errant, and screaming they will burn in hell does not follow scripture.


11 posted on 04/19/2005 11:20:18 AM PDT by Paloma_55
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To: Clint N. Suhks

Dude... *I* am a Christian Conservative.

I found the behavior of the crowd offensive. They were not demonstrating love or compassion. They were demonstrating EXACTLY what the homosexual activists wanted them to.

It was not I that tagged them Christian Conservatives, it was the media. Like I said, they played right into the hands of those they oppose.

Galatians 6:1 talks about how to communicate to someone when they are errant, and screaming they will burn in hell does not follow scripture.


12 posted on 04/19/2005 11:20:19 AM PDT by Paloma_55
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To: Paloma_55

Those are excellent suggestions for T-shirts.


13 posted on 04/19/2005 2:24:01 PM PDT by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: Paloma_55

"Choose a positive life" is not a good one. I read in a thread in FR about a gay magazine. Well, it turns out that gays classify themselves into "positives" (with HIV) and "negatives". A gay was telling the "negatives" to stop whining "it's so difficult to not get infected"; he was telling "negatives" to get positive in order to just enjoy sex without being worried about the disease.
"Choose a positive life" sounds exactly like this gay was saying.


14 posted on 04/19/2005 2:36:27 PM PDT by angelanddevil2
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