Repressing What Comes Naturally? There’s An App For That

Jim Burroway

March 9th, 2011

 Exodus International is on quite a media blitz this week. First came the announcement that they’ve released their very own iPhone App. Let’s just say that the reaction to that announcement is mixed, having garnered a two-star rating on the iTunes page. The app’s functionality is rather limited,  amounting to a website-cum-app experience with links to their facebook page and twitter stream. “Exgaysurvivordan” (whoever that is) writes, “This app is little more than a glorified (yet still clunky) web browser to navigate around Exodus’ walled-garden of predictable anti-gay content.”

Exodus also showed up on Oprah’s OWN Network’s In America with Lisa Ling last night. I didn’t get to watch the program, but Ling appeared on The View to discuss the program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48buPRAA6po

It’s typical to portray gay people as drug-fueled sex addicts as exemplified by their poster boy “Christian.” But really, what does this have to do with homosexuality? Ling does seem to see through a key element of the ex-gay message though: Nobody really changes, despite the empty promise that “change is possible.” Exodus International president Alan Chambers says so in moments of candor, and so does the American Psychiatric Association.

tim

March 9th, 2011

Meh. Nothing limits a user from access said websites from Safari. Are we going to insist Safari also be banned? And removing the app will only add fuel to the silly notion that “Christians” are being “oppressed”.

Its best to just ignore it.

Emcee, cubed

March 9th, 2011

@tim: That’s a pretty big strawman you’re creating there. I don’t see anything in the article, or even any of the links, calling for the app to be removed from iTunes.

Daniel Gonzales

March 9th, 2011

” ‘Exgaysurvivordan’ (whoever that is) writes”

HA!

djcchicago

March 9th, 2011

Does it never cross the minds of ex-gays that it is terribly selfish to marry a woman when your sex drive is primarily towards men? Someone needs to shake young “Christian” by the shoulders and tell him that he could ruin a woman’s life if he brings her into his “struggles.” Go out with a guy, Christian, you want to and you won’t be pulling a woman into a situation she can’t be happy in.

Iamposterity

March 9th, 2011

I watched the first five minutes of this and recorded it. I had to change the channel, I am at a loss for words.

To thine(sp?) own self be true…..

pepa

March 10th, 2011

Jim,

“It’s typical to portray gay people as drug-fueled sex addicts”

But yet on another post you praise Dan Savage’s advice:

“As an example (and the most talked about one), he has endorsed non-monogamous relatinships for those who want it (autonomy), whose partner is okay with it (reciprocity), and after full communication of ground rules, concerns, worries, fears, and anything else that comes to mind (full disclusure).

It seems that as usual you want to speak with both sides of your mouth.

Jim Burroway

March 10th, 2011

Pepe,

In what world are drug-fuelled sex addicts concerned about scrupulously observing the principles of autonomy, reciprocity and full disclosure?

pepa

March 10th, 2011

In what world are drug-fuelled sex addicts concerned about scrupulously observing the principles of autonomy, reciprocity and full disclosure?

I don’t know why you would think that a promiscuous person would actually be observing all of those “principles.”

Quite frankly they are not principles but excuses to engage in promiscuous behavior while pretending to be in a relationship. In other words you want to have your cake and eat it too. This type of behavior is destructive and most of the gay people that I know who have tried open relationships end up having it blown up on their face.

And quite frankly I don’t know why would anybody follow advice from a person who is not honest about the consequences of promiscuity (whether permitted by a partner or not).

I don’t want to drag this more than it should, because then you will get angry with me then censor me again as usual. That’s what tyrants do when they disagree with people.

Jim Burroway

March 10th, 2011

Why do you assume that a negotiated, fully disclosed non-monogamous agreement is equivalent to promsicuity?

Jim Cowhey

March 10th, 2011

No one has to have sexual expression. If people decide that a certain way of life is wrong and choose, with help, to avoid it, this is indeed possible. Continuing to have the inclinations makes that more difficult, obviously, but it doesn’t nullify the value of the effort nor does it prove that it can’t be achieved.

Priya Lynn

March 11th, 2011

Jim Cowhey, there’s no value in suppressing a harmless core aspect of one’s being. That’s destructive and should never be attempted.

Ben in Atlanta

March 11th, 2011

Here’s a link for you:

http://www.truthwinsout.org/news/2011/03/15155/

Timothy Kincaid

March 11th, 2011

Jim,

You are correct that each person is entitled to their own path. If, for example, someone decides that God wants them live celibately and dedicate their lives to caring for the sick, then they can do so. I’m sure that has value for them and I can respect that effort and as centuries of monks and nuns have revealed, it is certainly possible to achieve that goal.

I only object when they decide that I must do the same or suffer civil inequality.

And – currently, at least – Exodus appears to be backing away from the “and you should too” position a bit and has for the most part lived up to their new dedication to stay out of politics.

(the loons at PFOX are another story, of course)

Priya Lynn

March 11th, 2011

Timothy said “You are correct that each person is entitled to their own path. If, for example, someone decides that God wants them…”.

The problem with that Timothy is that this is NOT their own path. They’ve been coerced into going down this path by a society that tells them they are unacceptable as gays and that they will be eternally tortured for entering into a harmless beneficial and loving same sex relationship. If it were not for others telling gays how to live and feel to be acceptable it is highly unlikely any of them would of their own volition choose to suppress their same sex attractions. It is always a travesty of justice when people “choose” (because of hate) to suppress their same sex attractions. It is never acceptable that gay people are brainwashed into feeling this is a good idea.

Timothy Kincaid

March 11th, 2011

Priya,

Interestingly, you and Exodus have one overriding attribute in common. You both are quite certain that you know what other people should believe.

I’ll leave it up to individuals to decide for themselves whether their path is the one laid out by society or by Priya Lynn.

Jim Cowhey

March 11th, 2011

Priya,

What I said was that it was possible to suppress it. It’s a separate question as to whether it is desirable. Some people think it just isn’t possible, and they are mistaken. There are plenty of people who suppress same-sex attractions and opposite-sex attractions too. They are helped in some cases by being accountable to others as they attempt this, but it can be done and is often done.

Timothy Kincaid

March 11th, 2011

Jim Cowhey,

I approved your comment as it is part of polite discourse on the subject. But if you behave as you did while using the various names of Dan Farrell, box frog, and krakatoa, no one will see your comments.

Just a little encouragement to keep it civil and within the Comments Policy.

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