September 5, 2012

(ExodusInternational.org) Executive Vice-President of Exodus International, Jeff Buchanan, has resigned his position along with his wife, Angela, who served as Director of Communications. Jeff Buchanan served in the vive president position since August of 2011. Randy Thomas, former Exodus International Executive Vice-President, has returned to his former position and Chris Stump has been promoted to the Director of Communications position. Link to the Exodus post detailing the changes.

September 1, 2012

(Christian Post) “Survey results from a study conducted by People Can Change, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help people with unwanted same-sex attractions (SSA), show that over half of those who sought counseling for SSA felt their attractions diminish as a result.”

“According to the survey, which was released Friday, 55 percent of those who sought out this kind of counseling experienced SSA with less intensity and frequency than before they received help. Additionally, 71 percent of those surveyed said they were either ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the counseling they received.”

“…In all, 474 people from 19 countries responded to the survey.” Link to the Christian Post article.

August 31, 2012

(Excerpts from World Net Daily) In Barber’s article Family Studies professor Dr. Walter Schumm is quoted as saying “Unfortunately, there are many with an extreme socio-political agenda who depend entirely upon suppressing the truth.” [Schumm’s study found that “Children raised in ‘gay’ households are up to 12 times more likely to self-identify as ‘gay’”]

… “Indeed, left-wing backlash was both swift and fierce. Schumm was instantly decried as a ‘quack,’ a ‘conservative plant’ and a ‘fraud.’ Over the past two years, both Schumm and his study have passed through all three of Schopenhauer’s fiery stages, only to emerge unsigned.”

Barber also comments on the Mark Regnerus study and the reaction to it. Link to Matt Barber’s article in World Net Daily.

August 31, 2012

(njtoday.net) “TRENTON — Assemblyman Tim Eustace on Thursday announced plans to introduce legislation that would ban the controversial practice known as ‘conversion therapy’ aimed at changing the sexual orientation of minors, a measure similar to one that recently passed the California State Assembly overwhelmingly.” Link to the njtoday.net article.

August 30, 2012

(Washington Times) “A California bill to ban therapies to ‘change’ sexual orientation in children and teens passed its final legislative hurdle late Thursday and now goes to California Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature.”

… “Mr. Brown has not taken a position on SB 1172, and he has until Sept. 30 to sign, veto or allow its protections to take effect without his signature on Jan. 1, 2013. If enacted, the measure would be the first of its kind in the nation.”

… “Opponents say the Lieu bill — which only permits ‘gay-affirming’ therapies for minors — tramples on parents’ rights to care for their children and mental health professionals’ rights to offer the most optimal therapies to a patient, and it encourages ‘ex-gay bashing.’” Link to the Washington Times article.

August 29, 2012

(University of Texas News) “AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin has determined that no formal investigation is warranted into the allegations of scientific misconduct lodged against associate professor Mark Regnerus regarding his July article in the journal Social Science Research.”

“As required by its Revised Handbook of Operating Procedures, the university conducted an inquiry to determine whether the accusations made by writer Scott Rose had merit and warranted a formal investigation. After consulting with a four-member advisory panel composed of senior university faculty members, the Office of the Vice President for Research concluded in a report on Aug. 24 that there is insufficient evidence to warrant an investigation.” Link to the UT article. Link to the investigation report.

August 23, 2012

Leaders of several pro-family organizations have asked “the News Corporation, Fox News, and Bill O’Reilly to find more ethical spokespersons for the liberal view of sexuality.” O’Reilly has used radical homosexual activist Wayne Besen as a spokesperson for homosexual viewpoints. The letter claims that “When Fox News provides a forum to a radical homosexual activist known for employing inflammatory and hateful language in the service of promoting lies, the network becomes complicit in the damage done to the victims of Wayne Besen’s and the SPLC’s smear campaigns.” Read the rest of this entry →

August 22, 2012

Exodus president Alan Chambers talked with OWN TV’s Lisa Ling on why he no longer endorses reparative therapy. Chamber’s specifically criticized the use of heterosexual pornography in reparative therapy. He went on to state that he is not gay, but does not know if he is heterosexual. He said he does have opposite sex attractions toward his wife. When asked by Ling for his advice for those who come to Exodus wanting help with their same-sex desires, his advice excluded psychoanalytic therapy. The interview can be found on this link.

August 16, 2012

Excerpt of the first two paragraphs of Alan Chambers’ August 2012 letter: “There is a lot of talk these days about Exodus International’s drastic changes. Some former Exodus leaders have relinquished their membership in our organization and have formed a new one around a set of beliefs and ideals that ironically represent a real drastic change in approach and belief – namely that homosexuality is a ‘more egregious sin’ than any other. That unbiblical myth is something that we, at Exodus, have long tried to dispel and correct.”

“In truth, Exodus International remains much the same at the core of who we have always been and focused on the same goals that were set up when I became the president of Exodus in 2001. In many respects we have returned to the simple roots of gospel-focused, relational discipleship that led to the organization’s founding in 1976. We are a community for people with same-sex attractions, or those that love them, that offers refuge, discipleship and encouragement to move into the authentic and transparent community known as the local church.”

August 16, 2012

Following are some selected excerpts from Exodus board member John Warren’s article “Should Exodus International Fire Alan Chambers?”

… “However, Mr. Chambers, as well thought out and prepared as he is for each of his public speaking opportunities on these complex and sensitive matters, does not enjoy the luxury of writing 35 page articles which are researched, edited, and strategically circulated in an effort to discredit the subject. Mr. Chambers is a minister of the Gospel of our Lord, and he is in the trenches day after day and week after week serving a diverse and complex constituency to that end. Surely Dr. Gagnon must be able to see the heart of this man and this ministry.”

“Dr. Gagnon expresses concern that Mr. Chambers is condoning sin, and thereby giving a false sense of security to those who by the evidence of egregious sin in their lives are either not genuinely converted Christians or have fallen away. Read the rest of this entry →