Exodus: Live Out Loud

Man Sues Publishers Over Bible Verses

From CitizenLink:

A Michigan man is suing Zondervan Publishing and Thomas Nelson Publishing, claiming biblical references to homosexuality as a sin violate his constitutional rights and have caused him emotional pain and mental instability.

Bradley LaShawn Fowler, 39, is seeking $60 million from Zondervan and $10 million from Thomas Nelson, The Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press reported. He is representing himself in both claims.

Fowler claims the Bible has made him an outcast and contributed to physical discomfort and periods of "demoralization, chaos and bewilderment."

"As frivolous as this case may sound, it's an indicator of where the homosexual agenda is headed," said Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "Ten years from now, this type of case won't be humorous at all; we'll see organizations like the ACLU dedicating resources to them because such 'language' will no longer be considered protected speech.

"Sweden, Canada and the U.K. are already prosecuting religious speech as 'hate' speech, as it relates to the biblical view of homosexuality."

Pro-Gay Censorship Law Crops Up in Colorado

From WorldNetDaily:

A new Colorado law is helping homosexual activists achieve their goal of forcing Christians to teach biblical condemnation of homosexuality only behind the closed doors of their sanctuaries.

The as-yet untested state law promotes sexual identity "perception" to the level of skin color under state discrimination laws.

Some opponents are calling it a "bona fide censorship law," and top analysts for Focus on the Family, the Christian publishing and broadcast powerhouse, are expressing concern over the "mischief" they expect to follow the signing by As WND reported, Ritter, a Democrat, struck gender-specific restrooms and locker rooms statewide when he signed the plan into law in May.

The law makes it illegal to deny a person access to public accommodations, including restrooms and locker rooms, based on gender identity or the "perception" of gender identity.

"Who would have believed that the Colorado state legislature and its governor would have made it fully legal for men to enter and use women's restrooms and locker-room facilities without notice or explanation?" said James Dobson, founder of Focus.

Read the whole article >>

Canadian Pastor Fined; Christians Banned from Voicing Biblical Opposition

From WorldNetDaily:

A Canadian tribunal ordered a Christian pastor to renounce his faith and never again express moral opposition to homosexuality, according to a new report.

In a decision dated May 30 in the penalty phase of the quasi-judicial proceedings run by the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal, evangelical pastor Stephen Boisson was banned from expressing his biblical perspective of homosexuality and ordered to pay $5,000 for "damages for pain and suffering" as well as apologize to the activist who complained of being hurt...

"In this case there is no specific individual who can be compensated as there is no direct victim who has come forward," [lawyer Lori G. Andreachuk] wrote.

However, that did not stop her from ordering the payment anyway.

And as for the future, she wrote:

"Mr. Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc. shall cease publishing in newspapers, by e-mail, on the radio, in public speeches, or on the Internet, in future, disparaging remarks about gays and homosexuals. Further, they shall not and are prohibited from making disparaging remarks in the future about … Lund or … Lund's witnesses relating to their involvement in this complaint. Further, all disparaging remarks versus homosexuals are directed to be removed from current Web sites and publications of Mr. Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc..."

Read the whole article >>

Randy Thomas on California's Gay Marriage Ruling

Exodus Executive Vice President Randy Thomas responds on his blog to the historic ruling by the California Supreme Court overturning a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage:

Exodus has been on record as opposing the redefinition of marriage, the use of hate crimes legislation to suppress freedom of conscience and religious liberty as well as ENDA­, the corporate version of hate crimes. ENDA is another example of the state forcing a state sanctioned sexual morality at the expense of religious liberty.

Exodus has only been involved in these public policy battles for the past five years and while we have very strong beliefs, I think it is a mistake for Christians to believe that Joe Solomnese, a gay identified man in charge of the HRC (largest gay lobby in the world) wants to proverbially burn Christians at the stake.  While he has been dismissive of my life and testimony, I choose not to be dismissive of his because I once believed as he does.  My only desire was to live in a homosexual relationship.

Read Randy's blog post >>

UK Amendment Retains Protections of Free Speech... Just Barely

From LifeSite:

MPs at Westminster voted on Tuesday night to remove protections for freedom of speech from a "hate crimes" bill, but a vote in the House of Lords retained the wording. In a vote of 338 to 136, the House of Commons agreed with homosexual activists who wanted wording removed that would have allowed Christians and others who objected to homosexual behaviour to preach Christian sexual morality in public without fear of prosecution.

Peers in the House of Lords, however, voted today to retain an amendment that allows religious people to claim freedom of religious expression when charged with "inciting hatred". The House of Commons was forced to let the wording remain in the bill due to time constraints.

The amendment says, "For the avoidance of doubt, the discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices or the urging of persons to refrain from or modify such conduct or practices shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred."

Read the entire article >>

UK Couple Wins Back Right to Foster

From the Telegraph:

A couple who were rejected as foster parents after they refused to condone homosexuality have won their battle to apply to be carers.

Derby city council blocked an application from Eunice and Owen Johns to   provide respite care for under-10s after they admitted they could never tell   a child that being homosexual was acceptable.

However, the authority has backed down after the Johns, both devout   Christians, threatened to seek a judicial review.

The couple, who have four grown-up children of their own, were celebrating on   Sunday after learning by letter that they can resume the application process.

Read the entire article >>

Judge Rules Georgia Tech's "Safe Space" Program May Not Label Faiths "Anti-Gay"

From Southern Voice:

Georgia Tech’s Safe Space initiative, a faculty training program funded by student activity fees, cannot include information in its training materials and website that labels certain religions in a negative context because of their views on homosexuality, a federal judge ruled last week.

Ruling in a lawsuit filed by two Georgia Tech students in 2006, U.S. District Judge J. Owen Forrester said, “It is puzzling to the court that the promotion of tolerance would take the appearance of such intolerance as is contained in the religious materials distributed with the Safe Space program.”

“The handouts [included in Safe Space training] clearly take the position that churches that condemn homosexuality do so on theologically flawed grounds,” Forrester wrote April 29.

Characterizing some religions as welcoming of homosexuals while labeling others as “anti-gay” represents a “clear preference of one religion over another” and violates the First Amendment prohibition against the establishment of a religion, Forrester ruled.

Read the entire article >>

University of Toledo Disciplines Administrator for Being Critical of Homosexuality

From CNA:

An administrator at the University of Toledo has been placed on paid administrative leave after writing a column in a local paper that argued against including homosexuals as “civil rights victims” and characterized homosexuality as a lifestyle choice.   

Crystal Dixon, associate vice president of human resources at the state-run University of Toledo, wrote a column for the Toledo Free Press in response to an April 4 column by the paper’s Editor-in-Chief Michael S. Miller.  Miller argued that Ohio is behind in “gay rights” and also criticized the University of Toledo’s lack of health care benefits for some domestic partnerships.

Dixon, who did not identify herself as a university administrator, argued in an April 18 column that those “choosing the homosexual lifestyle” should not be considered “civil rights victims.”  She said that while she cannot change her identity as a black woman, “thousands of homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle.”  Dixon referenced prominent individuals who had renounced their behavior, sometimes because of “a realization that their choice of same-sex practices wreaked havoc in their psychological and physical lives.”

Read the whole article >>

Austrialian Churches Rights in Question

From the Sydney Star Observer:

Christian organisations in all states and territories may have lost the right to discriminate against gay people despite religious exemptions in anti-discrimination laws, legal experts claimed this week following a landmark ruling against the Uniting Church’s Wesley Mission.

Homosexuality as an intolerable sin was not a doctrine of Christianity, the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal ruled last month, because there were many dissenting views on the subject among Christian groups generally, and specifically within the Uniting Church.

As long as gay-friendly congregations like Metropolitan Community Church exist, this ruling means Christian organisations don’t have a license to legally discriminate against gays, Brisbane lawyer Stephen Page said.

“Religious exemptions are worded almost identically across all state and territory anti-discrimination laws, so I’d expect other commissions to start citing this case,“ Page told SSO.

“Christian religious schools in the ACT, NSW, Victoria, SA and WA would not be able to use religion as the reason that gay and lesbian students can be prevented from bringing their partners to the school formal.“

The Tribunal rejected the welfare agency’s right to refuse a gay couple seeking to become foster parents as the laws only allowed exemptions for religions, and there was no “religion of Uniting Church”.

Read the whole article >>

South FL High School Doesn't Have to Allow GSA on Campus

Okeechobiee, FL:

Okeechobee High School no longer needs to allow the Gay-Straight Alliance to meet on campus while the club’s lawsuit is pending, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Recent court filings in the federal case have revealed the club no longer has any more members at the school and a judge recently agreed to take the club’s name off the lawsuit. The suit still continues in the name of former president Yasmin Gonzalez, though the school district is trying to have her removed from the case because she already graduated.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit on behalf of Gonzalez and the club in November 2006 under the Equal Access Act, saying their rights were violated by not allowing them to meet on campus. The school district has argued the school’s principal had the authority to ban the club because it conflicted with the school’s abstinence-only teaching policy and also raised concerns about sexual discussions occurring at club meetings.

Read the whole article >>

UK Couple Told they are "Unsuitable" Foster Parents

From Daily Mail:

They are devoted foster parents with an unblemished record of caring for almost 20 vulnerable children.

But Eunice and Owen Johns have been forced to abandon their good work because they refuse to tell children as young as ten that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle.

To do so, they say, would go against their Christian beliefs.

The devastated couple withdrew an application to their council to continue as foster carers after being told they must condone homosexuality to adhere to gay rights laws.

Read the whole article >>

Christian Students May be Leaving CA Schools in Droves

From The Conservative Voice:

A broad coalition of Christian grassroots organizations have joined forces to call for California families and churches to rescue their children from California's public schools. 600,000 students may leave the California schools this year alone through their efforts. The growing coalition includes Eagle Forum, the Campaign for Children and Families, Exodus Mandate, and ten more sponsors, five of which are based in California. These organizations will be providing information to California parents and pastors concerning the new school legislation, how it mainstreams sexual deviancy, and what they can do about it. (Christiannewswire)

What SB 777 Means for Your Children With the passage of SB 777, homosexual activists now have state approval and a wide open door to promote their corrupting agenda.  SB 777 forces schoolchildren to support all aspects of transexuality, bisexuality, and homosexuality, mandating changes to all textbooks, instructional materials, and school activities.

Read the entire article >>

**NOTE** Exodus Mandate has no affiliation with Exodus International.

Canadian Teacher May Lose License

From LifeSite:

The last half a decade has not been easy on B.C. teacher, Chris Kempling.

In 2003 the soft-spoken educator was cited by the College of Teachers for professional misconduct, after he wrote in to a local newspaper outlining Christian teachings on homosexuality. After a hearing on the matter, Kempling was found guilty of the charges, and his teaching license was suspended for a month.

Kempling appealed that decision in the Canadian court system, all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. In the process he spent "well over" a hundred-thousand dollars in legal fees, he says. In the end, the Supreme Court denied his appeal.

Read the entire article >>

Maryland Judge Blesses Pro-Gay Curriculum

School Board Member: "To the other side, I say get out of town, shut up..."

From WorldNetDaily:

A member of the school board in Montgomery County, Md., which has been working for years to overcome obstacles to its program that teaches students homosexuality is innate, has told members of a group objecting to the lessons to go away.

"To the other side, I say get out of town, shut up, quit costing Montgomery County taxpayers money for litigation, and we're right and parents believe we're right," board member Pat O'Neill said in a report in the Portland, Ore., Examiner.

Her demands followed a ruling from Maryland Circuit Court Judge William J. Rowan III that it is permissible for the district to teach students in Montgomery County how to use condoms during anal and oral sex, as well as that homosexuality is inborn, even though just a year ago Maryland's highest appellate court found there is no scientific basis for such a conclusion.

Read the entire article >>

Sex-Ed Dispute Aired in Court

From WashingtonPost.com:

A six-year battle over the content of a new sex education curriculum in Montgomery County schools came down to two questions posed yesterday in a Rockville courtroom: Can the school board legally teach students that homosexuality is innate? And can the lessons discuss sex acts other than copulation?

Montgomery educators are defending the new curriculum, approved by the school board last summer, which addresses sexual orientation as a classroom topic for the first time. The lessons place the county at the fore of a trend among some of the nation's public schools toward more candor in discussing homosexuality. But they have prompted a strenuous challenge from religious conservatives who see the curriculum as a one-sided endorsement of homosexuality.

Read the whole article >>

Boy Scouts to be Evicted -- Unless they Renounce Policy on Homosexuality

From LifeSite:

The Philadelphia council of the Boy Scouts of America will lose the lease on its historic premises for its refusal to bow to pressure from the homosexual lobby to accept homosexual members and leaders. The city has told the Scouts they will be evicted if they cannot come up with US $200,000 a year "market value" rent for the land on which their building sits. Until now, the Scouts had paid a nominal $1 per year lease fee although the youth organisation had originally owned the premises in 1929.

The famous Beaux Arts style building was built and paid for by the Scouts, and turned over to the city with the understanding that the Scouts would be allowed to remain in it rent-free "in perpetuity."

City solicitor Romulo L. Diaz Jr. gave Philadelphia's "Cradle of Liberty Council" of the Scouts until Monday this week to renounce their policy.

Read the whole article >>

UK Foster Parents Win Right to Live their Beliefs

From Times Online:

Andrea Williams of Christian Concern For Our Nation said: “This is a significant step forward for Christian freedoms in that the Council has agreed not to force Mr and Mrs Matherick to act against their Christian beliefs. This should be of enormous encouragement to all Christians who want to take up the important role of caring for vulnerable children.”

Read the article >>

UK Christians Forced Out of Foster Care by Gay Agenda

From LifeSite:

By Hilary White
CHARD, UK, October 24, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Christian couple in Somerset, UK, have been told by child services that they would be required to take teenaged foster children to homosexual support groups and teach the children placed in their care that homosexuality is normal. When the couple told officials at social services that it would violate their conscience to do so, the eleven year-old boy who had been placed with them was removed.

Somerset Council officials cited the recently passed Sexual Orientation Regulations when they decided that people who open their homes to children in need, must also discuss same-sex relationships and promote homosexuality as normal and “equal”.

Vincent and Pauline Matherick have looked after twenty-eight children since 2001 with an untarnished record as care givers. When the couple first started fostering, they took in young single mothers and their babies, but have recently had mostly primary school aged children. They told the Daily Telegraph that officials with the Somerset Council had told them that if a child in their care showed signs of interest in homosexuality, they would be expected to encourage them by taking them to a homosexual support group.

Vincent Matherick, a minister at the South Chard Christian Church and a primary school governor, told the Telegraph, “They were saying that we had to be prepared to talk about sexuality with 11 year-olds, which I don’t think is appropriate anyway...

Read the article >>

British Christians will not be Prosecuted for their Beliefs, Judge Rules

From LifeSite:

The homosexual political movement in Britain was dealt a rare setback this week as a Northern Irish court ruled to curb some parts of notorious regulations. The Sexual Orientation Regulations of the Equality Act, that came into effect in January, would have allowed gay activists in Northern Ireland to prosecute people expressing religious oppositions to the homosexual lifestyle. The judge struck down the harassment provisions appearing in the legislation for Northern Ireland but supported the Regulations in general. 

According to the ruling, Christians or other religious people will now be allowed to "express their disapproval" of homosexuality in public. 

In his 42-page judgement, Mr Justice Weatherup at the High Court in Belfast,  ordered that the provisions be set aside because not enough time had been allowed for consultation before the government introduced the legislation.

The Christian Institute, a nondenominational Christian charity, with a group of churches, launched a suit against the SOR's. The passage of the secondary legislation was met with protests from Christians, Jews and Muslims who saw in them further encroachment on the principles of religious freedom in the UK.

Read the whole article here >>

Grandparents File Lawsuit over "Brokeback" Shown to 12-year-old

From the Associated Press:

A girl and her grandparents have sued the Chicago Board of Education, alleging that a substitute teacher showed the R-rated film "Brokeback Mountain" in class.

The lawsuit claims that Jessica Turner, 12, suffered psychological distress after viewing the movie in her 8th grade class at Ashburn Community Elementary School last year.

The film, which won three Oscars, depicts two cowboys who conceal their homosexual affair.

Turner and her grandparents, Kenneth and LaVerne Richardson, are seeking around $500,000 in damages.

"It is very important to me that my children not be exposed to this," said Kenneth Richardson, Turner's guardian. "The teacher knew she was not supposed to do this."

According to the lawsuit filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, the video was shown without permission from the students' parents and guardians.

The lawsuit also names Ashburn Principal Jewel Diaz and a substitute teacher, referred to as "Ms. Buford."

The substitute asked a student to shut the classroom door at the West Side school, saying: "What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class," according to the lawsuit.

Richardson said his granddaughter was traumatized by the movie and had to undergo psychological treatment and counseling.

In 2005, Richardson complained to school administrators about reading material that he said included curse words.

"This was the last straw," he said. "I feel the lawsuit was necessary because of the warning I had already given them on the literature they were giving out to children to read. I told them it was against our faith."

Messages left over the weekend with CPS officials were not immediately returned.

School Allows Day of Truth - After Legal Pressure

A Danbury, CT high school, which fully endorsed the pro-gay Day of Silence, initially refused one student's right to express her own beliefs through the Day of Truth. That's when Alliance Defense Fund stepped in. From Inside Tennessee:

After receiving a letter from attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, the principal of Danbury High School agreed Wednesday to allow a student to promote and participate in the Day of Truth after first having prohibited the student from doing so.  The school officially endorses the Day of Silence, an event promoting the homosexual agenda, but had thwarted student Rosemary Shakro’s attempts to promote the Day of Truth by inviting a speaker to a club meeting and posting signs announcing the event.

“Christian students should be allowed to express their viewpoint just like any other student,” said ADF Legal Counsel Matt Bowman.  “The Day of Truth is an opportunity for Christian students to respectfully present a different viewpoint than students participating in the Day of Silence.  Allowing students to have a Day of Silence without allowing students to have a Day of Truth limits free speech and the free exchange of ideas.”

“We are pleased that we had the opportunity to explain the law so that the school could do the right thing and respect the First Amendment rights of this student and any other students that wish to observe the Day of Truth.  We hope other schools will follow this example for their students,” Bowman added.

Shakro wished to invite a guest speaker to her “Youth Alive” after-school club meeting this Thursday as part of activities leading up to the Day of Truth.  The school has allowed other clubs, such as the Gay-Straight Alliance, to have outside guests speak at school assemblies and club meetings.  However, the school’s principal, who prohibited a speaker for last year’s Day of Truth, prohibited this year’s speaker as well, saying that the Day of Truth is too “controversial” and “counteractive.”  The principal had also claimed that “anti-homosexual” speech is prohibited at the school and that the presentation could cause contention among students.

“In addition, the principal had prohibited the posting of signs in school hallways announcing the club meeting, nonsensically suggesting that the ‘All are welcome’ message on the sign was an invitation to the general public to trespass on school property,” Bowman noted.

Bowman sent a letter to the principal explaining the law, and the school now says that Shakro will be allowed to invite the speaker and to post signs announcing the meeting.

“According to the law, a school cannot allow students to promote one viewpoint and then prohibit promotion of another viewpoint.  School officials also cannot ban speech just because they think it’s unpopular or controversial.  We are very pleased that Rosemary’s constitutional rights will be respected,” said Bowman.

A copy of the letter sent to Danbury High School is  available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ShakroLetter.pdf. 

Canadian Official Fined for Stating Biblical Stance on Homosexuality

From AgapePress:

A Kamloops (British Columbia) City Council member will pay a hefty fine and also apologize for comments he made about homosexuality at a public meeting last summer. Those comments by the local politician led to a complaint being lodged with Canada’s Human Rights Commission and could have proceeded to a tribunal.

LifeSite News reports that John DeCicco, who is Catholic, made the remarks at a Kamloops City Council meeting in June of last year and repeated them to the media afterward, saying that homosexual acts were "not normal and not natural." A homosexual activist couple filed the human rights complaint against him in August.

DeCicco has now decided to accept a $1,000 fine and make a statement of apology in order to avoid a Human Rights Tribunal hearing. However, the Catholic city official says his opinion has not changed.

Americans for Truth president Peter LaBarbera says his group is warning Christians in the United States that they may face a choice similar to the one DeCicco faced if they allow hate crimes legislation to supplant the First Amendment. "We’re saying to American pastors and American politicians, ’What would you do if you were fined a thousand dollars for saying that homosexual behavior is not normal and is not natural ?’" LaBarbera notes.

What happened to the Canadian city councillor in this instance "is an incredible outrage," the Americans for Truth spokesman asserts. "Free speech," he laments, "is going the way of the dinosaur in Canada, it seems."

U.S. Christians need to take note of how laws in Canada are forcing its citizens to suppress their own speech, LaBarbera says. Such self-censorship puts the opportunity to speak the much-needed truth about homosexuality in danger of dying out altogether, he warns.

"When you have all the burdens of having to go before a tribunal and having to issue a public apology and endure public humiliation just for voicing your beliefs, then there is no longer freedom in that country," the pro-family advocate observes. "We hope and pray that this never happens in the United States of America," he says.

LaBarbera advises believers in the U.S. against self-censoring their speech as he believes many in Canada are choosing to do. Christians, he contends, must not let the truth die out by allowing themselves to be silenced.

Victory for Love in Action!

Exodus Member Ministry wins lawsuit out of court.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, OCTOBER 27, 2006: Faith-based Love In Action International Inc. has agreed to a settlement that provides all of the relief they sought in their lawsuit. Pursuant to the agreement the state further agreed to pay the entirety of attorney fees incurred by Love in Action totaling $65,944.61. The lawsuit alleged that the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities overstepped their jurisdiction when they threatened the faith-based ministry with closure and violated the ministry’s civil rights and protections guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

Says Rev. John Smid, President and CEO, “I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this case. We can now turn our full attention to our mission of helping struggling individuals and families in crisis.” Rev. Smid went on to say that people who desire help should not be denied faith-based options because special interest groups have a narrow agenda to push and do so by manipulating civil institutions in disregard of the law.

Read the article in the Tennessean >>

Liberty Sunday Press Conference

Who: Tony Perkins (Family Research Council), Alan Chambers (Exodus), Pastor Pendleton (Tremont Temple Baptist Church), David Parker, Robert Wirthlin, Kris Mineau (Massachusetts Family Institute), Bishop Harry Jackson (Hope Christian Church).

What: Press conference concerning Liberty Sunday Simulcast

When: 3:00 pm EDT, October 15, 2006

Where: Tremont Temple Baptist Church

Disclaimer: The following is simply notes and paraphrasing I (Randy) wrote down during the press conference.  Direct quotes are properly noted within the text.  Everything else is paraphrased and spring from my understanding of what the presenters said.

First up Tony Perkins with the Family Research Council.  Tony shares that he was very excited about tonight's simulcast.  the reason they chose Boston is because same sex marriage started in this state and what we see in its wake is the loss of religious freedom.  As they have condoned same sex marriage, the state condemns Christian expression in the public square.  He said that this press conference and the simulcast won't be just about organizational spokespersons.  The message will be brought by the people who have been detrimentally affected by the decision of four judges in Massachusetts.  A decision that is setting a dangerous precedent and conflict around the country.

Dr. Ray Pendleton Pastor at Tremont Temple Baptist Church stated, "We think it is important to uphold what is best for the culture and the country.  We want to speak what is truth, in love."

Kris Mineau, heads up Massachusetts Family Institute said something to the effect of tonight's events will help emphasize the point for the Mass legislature should finally allow the people of Massachusetts to speak for themselves instead of unelected judges ignoring the will of the people and speaking for them.

David Parker was up next.  His son, when  in kindergarten was given a diversity book-bag that indoctrinates children with beliefs about homosexuality that are  contrary to the beliefs of the parents and the welfare of these five year olds.  The rights of parents are being trampled for the rights of a rampant gay agenda.

David Parker quotes Robert Scutch,  the author of pro-gay children's book, "Who's a Family?" put in the "diversity book-bag":  Scutch states, "I wrote the book for children before they know that there is any other way." 

David Parker continues, that the gay agenda is being promoted non-stop in many ways;  Day of Silence, Coming Out Day, High School students going to lower grades to talk about coming out and resources being made available to grade school and beyond.  Mr. Parker simply wants parents to be notified and given their right to opt out.  The Lexington school system will not notify parents.  Mr. Parker's conclusion is that where Religious liberty is compromised all liberties are compromised.  Parents need to take a stand for children around the country.  The ACLU is trampling on religious freedom and parents by helping the school system against the parents.

Rob Wirthlin is the father of a seven year old who, without Mr. Wirthlin's knowledge or consent, was read a book by his second grade teacher called King and King which is about romantic love between two princes who eventually marry. The Wirthlin's asked the teacher for a meeting but the night before that meeting, the principal called and intimated that the Wirthlin's had ulterior motives and she was gong to be there whether they wanted her to be there or not.  The Principal said that the Teacher said she chose the book specifically because she felt it was something that the little boys could relate too.    Mr. Wirthlin says, "I am standing for parents rights. Parents should be the ones who decide when where and how to approach these subjects with their very own children."

Tony Perkins announces Freedom Watch.  As long as liberty is in danger... FRC will keep watch and fight for liberty.

Alan Chambers was next.  Tony said that Alan was, "the most controversial speaker."  He said Exodus takes a message of hope across the country. There is a message of hope for the homosexual who wants to find freedom from homosexuality.   Tony said, "Those who are the trumpeters of tolerance have little tolerance for Alan's message."  Alan shared about how religious liberty is in danger as evidenced by the huge protest at last year's Love Won Out Conference at Tremont Temple Baptist church.  Close to two thousand people screamed, among other things, "Shut down Focus On The Family!" "Shut down Dr. Dobson!" "Shut down ex-gays!" "Shut down Tremont Temple!" no call for tolerance, just a desire to impose silence against those that disagree with the gay activists.  While it is important to fight for the preservation of religious liberties and important social issues, we must also have grace and compassion.  We must provide hope and help for those seeking freedom from homosexuality.

Tony Perkins says that the opponents say that religious conservatives use gay issues as wedge issues but Tony calls them a bridge issue.  There is no other issue (gay agenda) that has brought modern Christians together so well.  One of the side benefits of this unnecessary battle is an increasingly colorblind church.

Bishop Harry Jackson is the senior pastor of Hope Christian Church.  He gave a stirring history of black community struggling and leading the way to liberty. He states that the black pulpit in America has actually been the engine for the black community.  Black Pastors deserve to be heard and to have their voices count.  In the mid-term election you are going to see a growing union in the church and that is going to change the tide and turn back the gay agenda.  More than ever before you are going to see Values Voters show up and make a difference in America.

Afterward, the media questions were basic fact finding and not much else to report except one incident that deserves it's very own post.

Before closing this post however, I wanted to say that all the presenters were very calm, humble and eloquent.  My notes do not do them justice.  I also met Mr. Parker and Mr. Wirthlin after the press conference and I have to tell you, they are two very protective, humble and loving Dad's.  They were not activists before the Lexington School Board decided to usurp their parental rights but now that this school board has forced the fight... they will do whatever it takes to protect their children.  I genuinely enjoyed meeting these two men.

Also at the press conference, I met John Schroeder with Blogotional and Joe Carter with Evangelical Outpost.  These guys are serious bloggers and you really should check out their blogs on a regular basis. I truly enjoyed meeting them and discussing Christians, politics and blogging!  They were a lot of fun to meet.

Values Voters Summit

Exodus brought a redemptive view of homosexuality to this years The Washington Briefing: Values Voters Summit.  At our booth we handed out plenty of informative material including general information about Exodus, testimonies and newsletters.  Person after person came up to us seeking prayer and ministry concerning their own struggles or their family member who identifies as gay.

The Washington Briefing is mainly about public policy concerning a broad spectrum of issues.  However, since the issue of redefining marriage into a gay worldview is of such importance (along with other gay-centric efforts in public policy), many leaders at The Washington Briefing have gone out of their way to welcome the Exodus message and bring a very important perspective to the table.  Our perspective includes preserving marriage, an extremely important social institution,  while reaching out with compassion.   Wherever, public policy affects the people we are ministering too, we will be there to offer a personal and redemptive view.

Included in the "continue reading" reading link below will be a couple of articles covering the summit and excerpts as they pertain to the battle over marriage.

Should We Legislate Against Phelps' Hate?

Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church have made a crusade out of hating homosexuals. Phelps' mantra, "God hates fags," has been seen in big block letters on rainbow placards for many years. He's dedicated his faith, his church and his life to harassing and hating gay-identified people as well as anyone who doesn't join in his vitriol.

Although it's been going on for some time, the media is now picking up on Phelps' protests at the funerals of American soldiers killed in Iraq. From the Chicago Tribune:

The demonstrators say the deaths in Iraq are divine punishment for America's permissiveness on homosexuality. They carry signs with messages like "God Hates the USA" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers." For a grieving family, they add gratuitous insult to a terrible loss.

What's heating up this controversy even more is some legislators' desire to stop Phelps with law.

Most Americans would probably agree with Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), sponsor of a bill to limit demonstrations at federal cemeteries, who denounces these spectacles as "repugnant, outrageous, despicable."

A lot of people would also agree that stern action by the government is needed. Nine states have enacted measures addressed at these protests. A bill pushed by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn passed the Illinois Senate and is scheduled for a House committee hearing Wednesday.

However, Phelps and his false gospel might prove a stumbling block to the real one. I hate to think that free speech might be applied to Westboro's message of hate, but it's certainly been used to allow the objectification of women (and men) in pornography, and many other heinous points of view our society finds more tolerable.

The danger I see is the potential precedent some gay activists may take. As we know, many of them have called the message of Exodus "repugnant, outrageous" and "despicable" before. In Canada and Europe it's already fallen under their definition of criminal 'hate speech.'

While legislation might be a quick and easy solution to stop these cruel demonstrations, the best answer to false and hateful speech is to speak love and truth even louder (check out the Patriot Guard Riders).

As for me, I'll say this: Phelps is a wolf in sheep's clothing and doesn't know Jesus. He needs to become acquainted with 1st Corinthians 6:9, 10 and 11, as well as 1 John 4:7, 8. I also think the true church needs to rise up and decry him a little louder.

Maryland Lawmaker Calls for Removal of Activist Judge

http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039758.cfm

"Del. Don Dwyer, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, called for the removal of the judge who single-handedly nullified Maryland's marriage law and demanded same-sex marriage.

"Today on the floor of the House," Dwyer told CitizenLink, "I stood and announced an 'Address for the Removal' of Judge M. Brooke Murdock, for violating her oath of office, for violating the public trust. As the guardians of the trust of the public, I believe it is incumbent upon us, as legislators, to hold the court accountable." -Pete Winn, associate editor, CitizenLink, 07 Mar 2006

Gay Activists Ask Canada to Lower Age of Consent for Anal Sex, National Post Agrees

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/feb/06021403.html

"Homosexual activists have long sought to distance themselves from pedophiles, however Canada's most prominent homosexual activist group has now demanded the lowering the age of consent for anal sex to 16 from 18.  Surprisingly, Canada's National Post, regarded by some as a 'conservative' paper has come out in favour of the proposal."- John Henry Westin, Lifesitenews.com, Feb. 14, 2006

Activist Attests to a Pro-Homosexual Judiciary in His State, Cites Examples

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/232006g.asp

"A homosexual teacher in Massachusetts who admitted to raping one of his teenage students and possessing child pornography has escaped jail time. A Waltham-based pro-family leader says the case is yet another indication that most judges in his state are in league with homosexual activists.

In 1997, Judge Suzanne DelVecchio handed down an eight-year prison sentence to a highly respected gym teacher who had pleaded guilty to raping two school girls. While delivering the sentence, the judge branded John A. Shockro a "sexual predator" and "a parent's worse nightmare" But when Gregory Pathiakis, 26, of the Boston suburb of Brockton recently stood before the same judge and pleaded guilty to raping a 15-year-old male student, Judge DelVecchio gave him no prison time for the assault."- Jim Brown, Agape Press, Jan. 23, 2006

Lesbian Couple Sues Christian School

http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039132.cfm

"California Lutheran High School in Riverside is facing a lawsuit after expelling two lesbians for not following the school's code of conduct...Richard Ackerman, president of the Pro-Family Law Center, said state law will make the school's defense difficult..."We think that the school has a First Amendment right to associative activity in terms of being able to associate with who it wishes — including students, and there's a behavioral code of conduct that ties right into that First Amendment right"..."If these lesbians do win this case, it will send shockwaves to private, religious schools across America telling them they are not protected to practice their faith."- Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute." - CitizenLink, Jan. 9, 2006

"

Utah GSA Clubs Under Fire

Sara Hardcastle, the president of Hillcrest High School's Gay Straight Alliance club, says people like Utah Sen. Chris Buttars scare her. Buttars, a West Jordan Republican, is vowing to push a bill through the upcoming Legislature to outlaw gay-straight clubs in Utah high schools. "I will prevail," he says. - Glen Warchol, Salt Lake Tribune

Knights of Columbus Forced to Pay Damages to Lesbians for Refusing to Rent Hall for “Wedding” Reception

The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has demanded that a Roman Catholic men’s fraternity, the Knights of Columbus, award a lesbian couple damages for refusing to rent them a hall for their same-sex “wedding.” - Terry Vanderheyden, LifeSite.net

UK Author, Broadcaster, Subjected to Police Inquiry for Criticizing Homosexual Adoption as “Homophobic”

A British author and broadcaster was the subject of a police inquiry after she criticized homosexual adoption in a live radio broadcast. - Terry Vanderheyden

University Drops Charges Against Student for Opposition to Homosexuality

William Paterson University on Wednesday dropped sexual harassment charges against a student employee who had expressed his religion's opposition to homosexuality. - Nathan Burchfiel, CNS News

Hate Crimes Ad Campaign Target Senators

Exodus joined with 19 other groups to oppose federal hate crimes legislation to launch an ad campaign in seven newspapers across the US.  The ones featuring former homosexuals and the Philly 11 were placed in the following papers to influence specific Senators to vote against hate crimes legislation:

The Orlando Sentinel, Senator Bill Nelson
The Indianapolis Star, Senators Lugar and Bayh
The Nevada Appeal, Senators Reid and Ensign
Roll Call, All of Capital Hill (Runs 12/12/05)

The link above is to the Roll Call Ad because the text is the same except for the different Senators contact information. The following Ads are not featuring former homosexuals but part of the overall campaign.  They are also powerful ads located in ...
The Richmond Times Dispatch, Senator John Warner
The Reno Gazette Journal: Senators Reid and Ensign
Omaha World Herald, Senator Ben Nelson.

The text of the ad featuring Exodus Representatives Randy Thomas and Mike Ensley along with two former lesbians say...

Why would anyone vote for unequal justice? Hate Crime laws say we were MORE VALUABLE as homosexuals than we are now as former homosexuals. Whatever happened to the constitutional guarantee of equal justice under law? The very notion that a homosexual who suffers a violent crime is somehow worth more than a former homosexual who suffers the same crime is absurd. But that’s exactly what the current “hate crimes” legislation in Congress will do . . . elevate one over the other based solely on one’s sexual preference. Such a law means that the two straight men who killed Matthew Shepard would receive a harsher sentence than the two homosexual men who raped, tortured and killed 13-year old Jesse Dirkhising. There is no moral difference between these two crimes. But under new federal “hate crimes” legislation, one would be punished more severely than the other! That’s not only unfair, it’s unjust, and simply un-American. Something is terribly wrong when 11 people peacefully protesting a homosexual event in Philadelphia are arrested and jailed, but activist homosexuals disrupting a pro-family event in Maine are not. Something is terribly wrong when a Boston parent is arrested and jailed for merely objecting to pro-homosexual material being forced on his kindergarten child at school, but hundreds of homosexuals there using sound trucks and blocking the entrance to a church conference hosted by former homosexuals are not. Something is terribly wrong when federal law will make the punishment for a violent crime harsher merely because of a victim’s sexual preference. Something must be done NOW to protect equal justice! We urge the Congress to realize that every violent crime is a hate crime . . . and that the only true justice in America is EQUAL justice under law.

Gay High School Student Sues Principal

Openly Gay Student's Lawsuit Over Privacy Will Proceed

    A federal judge has ruled that a high school girl may sue her principal. The principal contacted the girl's mother after she ignored repeated warnings about her public displays of affection with her girlfriend on campus.

Romney rips SJC's justices on values

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/11/11/romney_rips_sjcs_justices_on_values/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City/Region+News

"Governor Mitt Romney leveled an unusually personal attack yesterday at the Supreme Judicial Court for legalizing same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, telling a group of conservative lawyers and judges that the justices issued the ruling to promote their values and those of ''their like-minded friends in the communities they socialize in."- Scott Helman, Globe Staff, Nov. 11, 2005

'People's Veto' Sought Over Maine's Homosexual-Rights Bill

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/272005c.asp

"The Christian Civic League of Maine hopes voters in that state will once again nullify a bill passed by the legislature and signed by the governor that gives special rights to homosexuals. This is the third time voters are being called on to stop similar legislation.

The last time Maine voters said no to special rights for homosexuals was in 1998. But now the state's liberal governor and legislature have once again crafted a bill that will give special rights to homosexual men and women. LD 1196 -- "An Act To Extend Civil Rights Protections to All People Regardless of Sexual Orientation" -- forbids the denial of rights in employment, housing, public accommodations,
credit, and education opportunity to individuals based on their "sexual orientation." The bill defines sexual orientation as "a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality or gender identity or expression."- Chad Groening, Agape Press, Sept. 27, 2005

Judges Ask Tough Questions in Same-Sex Marriage Case

http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/51665

"Judges on a New York appellate court asked tough questions of an attorney who tried to convice them that marriage is a fundamental right that should be extended to same sex couples...In February, a state judge ruled the city was violating the constitutional rights of same sex couples by denying them marriage licenses...Lambda Legal's Susan Sommer said the court could overturn a law if it was deemed unconstitutional. One judge asked her three times why the matter even belonged before the court. Each time she cited a fundamental right to marry though she seemed unable to satisfy the judges' request for case law to back that up."- Dan Blumberg, WNYC News, Sept. 13, 2005

Natural Mother Punished By Lower Court While Former Lesbian Partner Gets Visitation Award

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/sep/05090105.html

"The Utah Supreme Court heard Tuesday the case of a mother who wants a lower court decision granting parental standing to her former partner, a lesbian, overturned. “I am here to protect my child,” Cheryl Barlow said. “That's the only reason.”

In a courtroom with standing room only, Barlow’s attorney argued that, “This case is about the right of a natural mother to decide what is best for her child. My client decided what she thought was best for her 2-year-old child and left a relationship and a lifestyle,” said Alliance Defense Fund-allied attorney Frank Mylar."- LifeSite News, Sept. 1,2005

The Unholy Alliance

http://www.pfm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=BreakPoint1&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=16640

Explaining the battle against the boyscouts.

"The Boy Scouts of America recently held their ten-day Jamboree at Camp A.P. Hill, Virginia , but this year’s event may have marked the end of the long-standing tradition. In a recent ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Blanche Manning agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who claimed that the Defense Department’s sponsorship of the Jamboree violated the First Amendment.... the Chicago judge concluded that the Boy Scouts are a religious organization because the scout oath mentions “God.” Therefore, the involvement of a government agency “conveys a message of endorsement of religion.”... the primary plaintiff in the suit was Reverend Eugene Winkler, a retired former pastor of Chicago’s First United Methodist Church. Reverend Winkler, who is also an ACLU board member, was a co-plaintiff in a similar suit in 1997. That year, the ACLU accused the city of Chicago of illegally offering youth programs affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. They contended that the Boy Scouts required a belief in God and discriminated against homosexuals." -Allan Dobras, Breakpoint.

Judge Rules Same-Sex Affair Is Adultery

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5245784,00.html

" 

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - A man's affair with another man constitutes adultery and is grounds for divorce, a British Columbia Supreme Court judge ruled.

In granting the divorce Tuesday, Justice Nicole J. Garson said she was persuaded that she had the authority to make a change in the legal definition of adultery, which under previous Canadian court rulings has been considered voluntary extramarital sex between a spouse and someone of the opposite gender." -  Guardian Unlimited, Aug. 31, 2005

Businesses must treat same-sex & married couples the same

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=21329

the California Supreme Court ruled Aug. 1 that same-sex domestic partners must be treated the same as married couples by private businesses. Conservatives said the court's ruling underscores the need for a constitutional marriage amendment. "Marriage is a special and exclusive institution for a man and a woman. Private companies should not be forced to undermine or redefine marriage by the government or anyone else. It's time for the people of California to stop the out-of-control courts from trampling marriage and trashing the deeply-felt standards of private businesses and organizations."-Randy Thomasson, VoteYesMarriage.com

California's high court lets domestic partner law stand

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-29-domestic-partner_x.htm?csp=34

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday let stand a new law granting registered domestic partners many of the same rights and protections available to married couples...the high court left intact an appeals court ruling that said that Proposition 22's language is clearly limited to "marriage," (defined as a man and a woman) not domestic partnerships... Opponents of the law said Wednesday they hope to qualify a ballot measure asking voters to overturn the decision.

Court orders J'lem municipality to drop ban on gay pride parade

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/592439.html

Stating that City Hall cannot discriminate against a particular public because certain of its members object to that public's opinions or sexual orientation, The Jerusalem District Court ordered the Jerusalem municipality to drop its ban on the fourth annual gay pride parade in the city. In addition Judge Moussia Arad also ordered the municipality and Mayor Uri Lupolianski to pay court costs of NIS 30,000 each.

New CDC Survey on sexuality is a blockbuster

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jun/05061307.html

The National Household Survey of Drug Abuse, a 13 million dollar survey described as the "largest, most elegant sexuality survey in the history of the United States" undertaken by the Centers for Disease Control over a year ago is about to have it's findings released- finally. While the CDC decided to "sit on" it's data Dr. Paul Cameron of the Family Research Institute discovered the data and is publishing it along with comparison to other surveys next week in a report entitled, "“Homosexual Sex As Harmful as Drug Abuse, Prostitution Or Smoking."

Judge Will Hear Arguments on Military's Homosexual Ban

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200506/NAT20050606a.html

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a homosexual advocacy group, is seeking to have a 1993 law signed by Bill Clinton, which states that homosexuals have no constitutional right to serve in the armed forces, overturned. "Contrary to popular assumption, Clinton's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is not part of the law he signed in 1993. According to the Center for Military Readiness, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is an enforcement policy, not a law, that has misled many homosexuals about their ability to serve" - Susan Jones, CNSNews.com Senior Editor, June 6, 2005

Omaha stakes

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/chuckcolson/cc20050516.shtml

Chuck Colson   May 16, 2005 

Chuck Colson discusses why the overturning of a voter validated marriage law by a Nebraska judge has been so under reported by the liberal press.. he suggests perhaps it is because : " this decision proves that we and other critics of the courts and advocates for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex “marriage” have been right all along"

Same sex couples can now receive compensation for sexual dis-harmony.

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050515/NEWS03/505150389/1007

A New Jersey judge recently ruled that same sex couples who claim that problems at work cause stress that results in sexual disfunction with their partners can sue for compensation.

HHS Revises 'Birds and Bees' Web Site

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050512/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/abstinence_web_site_2

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer Wed May 11, 9:01 PM ET

WASHINGTON - The federal government has changed its Web site advising parents how to talk to their children about sex after several groups said it presented biased and inaccurate information

Sweden's Supreme Court reviews Pastor Green's acquittal

http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-religion-briefs,0,2129859.story?page=1

Religion News in Brief

12:40 PM EDT,May 12, 2005
By Associated Press

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Sweden's Supreme Court said Monday it will review the acquittal of Pentecostal pastor Ake Green, who faced criminal charges over a sermon on homosexuality.

Wash. Mayor Taking Leave Amid Allegations

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050510/ap_on_re_us/spokane_mayor_9

By JOHN K. WILEY, Associated Press Writer Tue May 10, 1:40 PM ET

SPOKANE, Wash. - Citing what he called persecution and hysteria, Mayor Jim West says he's taking a few weeks off to defend himself against allegations of child molestation and new claims that he offered city jobs to men he met online.

Gay-marriage foe forces hearing

http://www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-7/111424273613730.xml&coll=1

Saturday, April 23, 2005

By DAN RING

dring@repub.com

BOSTON - The state's highest court will rule on a bid by a Roman Catholic leader to halt same-sex marriages in Massachusetts until completion of a process to change the state's constitution to outlaw the unions.

The seven-member state Supreme Judicial Court is scheduled to conduct a hearing on the case May 2 in Boston, almost a year after homosexual and lesbian marriages began in Massachusetts. It is the only state where they are legal.

Justices to be booted in Massachusetts?

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43745

LAW OF THE LAND
Panel hears bill targeting 4 who voted for same-sex marriage

---

Posted: April 12, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

A measure to oust the four justices who voted for same-sex marriage in Massachusetts will be considered today by the state legislature's Joint Judiciary Committee.

Louis Sheldon Condemns Ruling Sanctioning Homosexual Marriages in California

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3798

California :

Posted by Senior Editor on 2005/3/14 19:00:04

“The decision issued by Judge Richard Kramer striking the voter-approved Proposition 22 and allowing homosexual marriages is yet another example of judicial tyranny and makes it clearer than ever that California needs a constitutional amendment to protect marriage as a union of one man and one woman,” said the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, Chairman and Founder of Traditional Values Coalition.