Exodus: Live Out Loud

California Marriage Bill Supporter Assaulted

From Protect Marriage:

In a violent display of intolerance, an opponent of Proposition 8 attacked and seriously injured a man who was volunteering on Sunday for the initiative to define marriage as between and a man and a woman.   

Prop. 8 supporter, Jose Nunez, 37, was brutally assaulted while waiting to distribute yard signs to other supporters of the initiative after church services at the St. Stanislaus Parish in Modesto.   

The assailant grabbed about 75 signs and yelled at Nunez accusingly, “What do you have against gays!”  Although Nunez replied that he had nothing against gays, he was attacked anyway.  The assailant punched Nunez in the left eye and ran off with the signs.   

Nunez, his eye dripping with blood, walked into a building on church grounds where a fellow parishoner called 911.  Police and paramedics responded to the scene. 

Nunez, who suffered a bloody eye, serious wounds to his face, and a scratch to his knee, was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital where he received 16 stitches under his eye.

Read the whole article >>

School Rejects Christian Books

From NBC-4 of Maryland:

A group of high school students that wants the Fairfax County School System to allow library books that offer a Christian perspective on homosexuality demonstrated Thursday.

The students said they are asking that their viewpoint gets the chance to sit on bookshelves and be read.

Dozens of students from throughout Fairfax County gathered at West Springfield High School. They said that they tried to donate books that promote an evangelical Christian perspective on homosexuality to their schools but were turned away.A schools spokesman said the books were rejected because of school system regulations. Among other things, the books were not age appropriate and there were no reviews of the books.

"We collected reviews for all of the books, multiple reviews, presented them to the librarian, and honestly, she didn't even look at them," said South County Secondary School student Ashley Traficant.

Read the entire article >>

Gay Advocates Begin Tour of Christian Campuses

Five members of the gay activist group Soulforce held hands Wednesday afternoon and stood to face about 50 Liberty University students behind the school's DeMoss Hall in Lynchburg.

They had just returned from donating five gay-affirming Christian books to the school's library, and Caitlin MacIntyre invited onlookers to join them in singing "Amazing Grace."

"No thanks," one student said.

Across the sidewalk, students paged through Bibles as the hymn's familiar first verse filled the air.

Liberty student Lawanda Sowell said she was searching for passages to describe her belief that homosexuality is a sin.

"They believe in what they believe because they are blind," she said.

The song ended, and the two groups stood opposite each other with two different opinions on how to interpret the role of homosexuality and the definition of marriage in the Bible.

Liberty was the first of 15 planned stops at faith-based institutions on Soulforce's annual Equality Ride, a national bus tour meant to encourage an inviting environment for any on-campus gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender students.

"Nowhere in the Bible does it say, 'homosexuality is sin,'" said Soulforce member Nicholas Rocco DeFinis.

Read the whole article >>

South African Church Must Apologize to Former Music Teacher

From IOL:

It is expected that music teacher, Johan Strydom, will on Thursday receive a formal apology from the Dutch Reformed Church in Moreleta Park for terminating his contract because he was a practising homosexual.

The Pretoria High Court last month ordered that the church had to unconditionally apologise to Strydom and pay him about R87 000 in damages and loss of pay.

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Singer's Parents Denounce Song

From Christian Today:

The evangelical Christian parents of US chart topper Katy Perry have lashed out at the lyrics of their daughter’s No 1 hit single ‘I Kissed A Girl’.

Her parents are outraged by the song’s provocative lyrics, which include “I kissed a girl and I liked it”.

Perry’s mother, Mary Hudson, says she is disappointed at the career path her daughter has decided to go down.

"I hate the song,” she was quoted by the Daily Record as saying. “It clearly promotes homosexuality and its message is shameful and disgusting. Katy knows how I feel. We are a very outspoken family.

"I can't even listen to that song. The first time I heard it I was in total shock. When it comes on the radio I bow my head and pray.”

The 23-year-old former gospel singer’s track continues to soar to the top of music charts around the world.

Read the entire article >>

European Activists Call for Police to Punish "Anti-Gay" Comments

From Our Kingdom:

The Prime Minister has sent a response  to the 15,700 people who petitioned him to reprimand DUP MP Iris Robinson following her claim that members of the LGBT community should seek a cure...

...the complaints submitted to the police following Robinson's remarks must be dealt with forcefully. Thus far, there has been no response. I cannot imagine why it takes so long to establish whether these remarks qualify as “inciting hatred or arousing fear.”

Northern Ireland, ironically, has stronger anti-hate crime legislation than other UK regions. Government introduced it because of “increases in recorded incidents involving victims defined by their sexual orientation.”  The police should now decide whether her remarks arouse fear in the LGBT community, in light of comments like this:

"I feel threatened, abused, insulted and fearful because Mrs Robinson compared homosexuality to child abuse which is illegal and, I believe, grossly offensive and fundamentally wrong.”

Read the entire article >>

Church: A Safe Place for All?

Exodus Church Network Director Jeff Buchanan featured in Ministry Today:

If we're honest, the issue of homosexuality intimidates most church leaders. It makes us feel helpless. When someone pulls us aside and confides in us that he or she struggles with same-sex attractions, we diligently put on our "leader face" while we shrivel on the inside, feeling absolutely incompetent to address the situation.

Nothing could be further from the truth. If you believe God's Word to be true, then you automatically have the needed tools for effective ministry, since all Scripture is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16, NIV). Therefore, we are equipped as the church to minister to anyone who walks through our doors—homosexual or not.

Read the entire article >>

Voices of a New Day

On July 15th through the 20th, hundreds gathered in Asheville, North Carolina for the 33rd annual Exodus International Freedom Conference. More than a hundred of those in attendance were students under the age of 25. Here are some of the things those young people have to say about their experience at the Conference.

The Freedom conference impacted me in a huge way. I went in to the week knowing that I was loved by God--I knew it in my head, but I didn't necessarily believe it.

When I arrived at the conference, the worship band was singing "How wide, how deep, how great is the love of God!" The message of God's love was repeated over and over throughout the week, until Thursday morning when I heard June Hunt say "I don't always feel God's love, but I know I know it is true, and I choose to believe and receive it." In that moment it clicked, and I haven't been the same since. Praise God! - Mark

This was my first Exodus conference, and honestly, I really   had no clue what to expect. But the result?   Profound. Basically, I will never be the same. I can’t even   really explain it, but it was something I have never experienced   or felt before. It was real. Authentic. No   Sunday church masks. Just people… real people… people who embodied genuine brokenness…people truly desperate for Jesus. And that changed me.Being surrounded by a body of believers that know the bondage of homosexuality, that   know the pain, that know the shame, that corporately fall at the feet of Jesus and cry mercy, salvation and freedom… all of it showed me that I am NOT alone. I am loved. I am redeemed. I am free. And nobody can take that away from me. - Katie

This was my second Exodus Freedom Conference, and I had been counting down the days to it since the moment last year's ended. I knew I could look forward to more of the same great breakout sessions, worship, testimonies, speakers and affirming fellowship. Still, I asked God to use the Conference to do something new in my life.

God was faithful in answering my request through the opportunity to serve as a volunteer, which let me experience the Conference in a whole new way. I felt that I was giving back a small part of the blessings I was receiving. I also felt my heart going out to others who were struggling rather than only focusing on myself.

I left feeling empowered to face another year. I am forever grateful to Exodus for holding the Freedom Conference, which has made such a difference in my life and the lives of many others. - Gio

I was richly blessed as a black teenager struggling homosexuality to attend this conference. It was one of the best opportunities in my life, being there meeting and networking with so many of you all. I really got to see, feel and experience God's love for me.

All my life I never really knew that there were resources out there available to me that dealt with my struggle. To be immersed in such truth was an amazing experience. I look forward to being there next year! - Phil

I came to the conference this year confused and losing faith. The conference gave me a place to drop all my defenses and be completely open about everything. At the same time, I was surrounded by so many others who were hurt and broken. They loved me and looked past my faults and confusion to see the person Christ made me to be. God used this conference, the speakers, the worship, and His Spirit to invade my heart and give me clarity of what he wants for my life. - Josh

Upon arriving to the Exodus conference this year I wasn't sure what to expect. I had been to the one a year before and didn't think I could learn that much more about my struggle with homosexuality. My spiritual life had been a roller coaster, which directly reflected my relationships.

In preparation for the 2008 conference I had been asking God to prepare my heart and my mind. When I got there though I found myself searching for the same friends as if it were a school reunion. God quickly showed me that I was there to learn about pursuing Him. If I was going to pursue a man, then it needed to Jesus Christ. As the week progressed my eyes were opened to the great battle that we fight.

Living in California I have just seen two of my female classmates from my private university get married. I am scared for what lies ahead, as the darkness becomes thicker the light will be in more contrast, in more opposition, and facing more obstacles than ever before. Pray for us as His mighty warriors, for strength and perseverance, for boldness in the truth, for love of the lost, conviction of sin, acceptance of grace, and a commitment to righteousness. I am grateful that the battle, which lies ahead, is already won through the blood of Lamb.- Nathan

I was unsure about this so I did not register until two weeks before [the conference] and I did not purchase my plane ticket until one week before. I had no expectations to get anything major out of going to the conference, but I desired closeness with God.

I had been walking away from God for a long time. I was not acting out homosexually, but I was crossing into yellow caution and red danger zones.

God definitely changed my life at the conference. I now understand the meaning of God’s grace so much more fully than I ever have before. He forgives all of us even before we ask and he welcomes us all back to him no matter what is going on in our lives.

Finally, God gave me this amazing voice of witness to lift up and I have been talking to straight Christian friends about my struggle, a close male friend who is openly gay and even hope and plan on talking to more of my glbtq identified friends as soon as God allows it. Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” I am neither ashamed nor afraid to speak up for the truth of God to others anymore. - Katrina

Media Coverage of A New Day

Below are some links to media coverage of the 2008 Exodus International Freedom Conference that was held in Ridgecrest, NC July 15-20.

Asheville Citizen Times - Exodus Meeting Promotes 'Freedom From Homosexuality'

TV Coverage on WLOS (ABC) Asheville

Additional Coverage by WLOS ABC 13

CitizenLink: Exodus Conference Spreads Message of Hope

Christian Post: Exodus Offers "A New Day" for Hundreds Impacted by Homosexuality

North Carolina Baptists: Homosexuality and the Local Church

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."