June 20, 2013

The following excerpts are from the Associated Press article “Christian group that sought to help gays repress same-sex attraction apologizes, closes down” on the Washington Post website: “The leader of Exodus International, a Christian ministry that worked to help people repress same-sex attraction, has apologized to the gay community for inflicting ‘years of undue suffering.’ He plans to close the organization while launching a new effort to promote reconciliation.”

“’The church has waged the culture war, and it’s time to put the weapons down,’ Alan Chambers told The Associated Press on Thursday, hours after announcing his decision at Exodus’ annual conference and posting his apology online.”

“’While there has been so much good at Exodus, there has also been bad,’ Chambers said at the conference. ‘We’ve hurt people.’”

… “Chambers was criticized by Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays. Her group had been a member of Exodus before resigning four years ago, and it’s now part of the Restored Hope Network.”

“Griggs said Chambers was entitled to decide what was best for himself, but shouldn’t be discrediting the efforts of others to help people who were uncomfortable with same-sex attraction.”

“’We do not owe an apology to the gay community,’ she said. ‘Nobody’s ever forced to change. That’s an individual’s right.’” …