Common Myths about Gay Christians

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Should we send a memo to the entire planet so that they know what term you're totally fine with? Or are you going to address individuals who use the term individually, seeking to understand them as individuals?

I'll read the last three posts later... on a tight schedule this morning.

But meanwhile, can you give me a link or something of a church, person or ministry that are "Gay Christian" but are really Ex-gay and believe homosexuality is sin and an abomination?

I admit I may be ignorant here, but the Gay Christians groups I am aware of are current homosexual people.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I admit I may be ignorant here, but the Gay Christians groups I am aware of are current homosexual people.

Yep.

They say that you can never be free. You can only supress. In A.A. they stand and announce, I'm an alcoholic. Haven't touched a drop in 20 yrs.

Never free from alcohol, drugs, whatever the vice, just abstinent.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by houston

Yep.

They say that you can never be free. You can only supress. In A.A. they stand and announce, I'm an alcoholic. Haven't touched a drop in 20 yrs.

Never free from alcohol, drugs, whatever the vice, just abstinent.

For some... it is a lifelong struggle and will be until glorification. For others, counseling works. For yet others counseling brings no relief. Some receive a miraculous touch from God and are set free. It all might depend on the root cause of their individual homosexuality. Some it may be environmental, some it may be with relation to nurturing, others it might be a result of abuse, for some it may have began as a "kink", other others it might be genetic. Not knowing the cause in a given individual, it's impossible to find a one size fits all solution. Studies have shown that while some move on to be "ex-gays" the vast majority battle same gender attraction their entire lives, even if they move into a place where in the opposite gender brings a degree of attraction.

As for alcholism... Many have noted that there may be a genetic predisposition to alcoholism. To acknowledge that one has predisposition towards alcoholism or admit that the temptation remains in spite of abstinence is just honesty. Some are miraculously set free. Others aren't.

Again, we can't pigeon hole people into categories. People are in various places on both issues. One miraculously set free from either sinful disposition including being delivered from the mere temptation is an "ex" whatever. However, those who have managed to gain control of the behavior, and are abstinent yet temptation remains are clearly still of the same inclination.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I'll read the last three posts later... on a tight schedule this morning.

But meanwhile, can you give me a link or something of a church, person or ministry that are "Gay Christian" but are really Ex-gay and believe homosexuality is sin and an abomination?

I admit I may be ignorant here, but the Gay Christians groups I am aware of are current homosexual people.

I think Exodus International is one.

[Orthodoxy]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I'll read the last three posts later... on a tight schedule this morning.

But meanwhile, can you give me a link or something of a church, person or ministry that are "Gay Christian" but are really Ex-gay and believe homosexuality is sin and an abomination?

I admit I may be ignorant here, but the Gay Christians groups I am aware of are current homosexual people.

Hoovie,

A growing number of people are (often in certain contexts) identifying themselves as "gay Christians," but are choosing to reject same sex relationships and live a life of abstinence.

For example, Wesley Hill is one who comes to mind. By the way, his book Washed and Waiting is the best book I've read on the struggles of celibate, same-sex attracted Christians.

Also, Ron Belgau is another well-known Christian speaker who sometimes identifies as celibate and gay ("gay" as in honestly referring to his exclusive orientation, not the stereotypical gay lifestyle).

Another is a blogger I know of who grew up in Oneness Pentecostalism and experienced same sex desires since childhood. He is now at seminary preparing to become a church leader. He describes himself as a celibate, gay evangelical Christian. His blog can be found here.

And the list could go on.

Currently, the leadership at Exodus International only uses the term "ex-gay" and does not endorse the label "gay Christian," although the president Alan Chambers recently said that he is still processing through the correct terminology.