I am 10 times happier since I left Courage. I have a better relationship life and a better faith life.

I just wanted to share with folks the reality of what Courage is. They are very deceiving as many groups like that are.

As for my belief in God, yes, I still believe in God. But I believe that God is not small minded as many Christian churches and ex-gay groups such as Courage make God out to be. I believe in a God of love, compassion, understanding and inclusion of all people. I do not believe in a God who is a psycho-path on anything or anyone that is not as Christianist and arch-conservative Catholic groups make God out to be. And I respect those who don’t believe as well as those who do. I also believe that all loving relationships are honored by God.

Thank you to all who read this and respond with a sense of appreciation.

Happy New Year.

second: I can’t tell you what to think or be, I can tell you that you that you are worth it, that no-one has the right to diminish you: that no-one has the right to come between your god (if you acknowledge it) and you.

Find your path, consistent with what you are: no-one else an do it for you

Contrary to what Courage and many others might think, Courage IS an ex-gay group. Those who lead and endorse the organization regularly refer to and use “help” information from the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality. (NARTH). While Courage may say they are not about reparative therapy they certainly do not discourage it.

Courage treats being gay or lesbian like both words are BAD. They encourage their attendees to think of themselves as men or women with same-sex attraction (or SSA). They treat it just like one treats alcoholism. They model their group after the 12 step idea and basically learn to think of themselves as victims of a sexual addiction and/or disorder. Even masturbation is seen as a symptom of the bigger disorder. This organization is one that recommends that if someone has jacked off, they should go to confession before going to Communion. They are such a destructive organization, with very damaging methods.

Since leaving the group that I used to attend, I am now involved in a wonderful relationship and have become Episcopalian. I will be facilitating an ex-gay survivor’s caucus group at Creating Change 2011 that will be in Minneapolis Feb 2 to Feb 6th at the Hilton Minneapolis. Those wanting more info about Creating Change should go to CreatingChange.org.

Courage most certainly is an ex-gay group. Their work is to exterminate homosexual people and treat our sexual orientation as a sickness. Make no mistake, their work does not deserve commendation from anyone.

Why is being gay, something that’s normal, Not Okay with the Church? Yet something that IS a recognized mental disorder listed in the DSM-IV is perfectly fine with at least some elements of the higher ranks?

To me, that is a sign of a very sick situation. It’s the sort of thing that’s probably got Satan himself sitting on his throne in hell drinking a margarita and shaking his head saying “That’s just not right, man!”

I wonder how long this rightwing love fest has been brewing? Anybody wanna bet that they were just waiting for the previous leader to keel over?