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Wednesday, March 19, 2008 | Reason : In the News | print version Print | Comments

Document God's cure for gays lost in sin

by SMH

Thanks to Gordon Wong for the link.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bspecial-investigationb-gods-cure-for-gays-lost-in-sin/2008/03/18/1205602385236.html

God's cure for gays lost in sin

Former residents say separation contracts, a ban on physical contact and teachings by an 'ex-gay' are part of Mercy Ministry's attempts to stamp out lesbianism in its flock, reports Ruth Pollard.


WHEN Mercy Ministries says it helps young women with "life-controlling issues", it means in part that it aims to teach them not to be lesbians.

In line with the Hillsong Church's strict doctrines teaching that homosexuality is an affliction that can be cured, Mercy Ministries is keen to ensure there is no lesbianism under its roof. It issues "separation contracts" to young women who make friends with each other and prevents any form of physical contact between residents.

"While I was there, we received much teaching on the evils of gay and lesbian lifestyles," said Naomi Johnson, who spent nine months in the ministry's Sydney house.

As someone with no issues about her sexuality, she was perplexed by the ministry's continuing focus on the issue.

"In particular, there was an ongoing teaching video series by Sy Rogers an 'ex-gay' - now reformed - married Christian," she said.

Rogers - an American who conducts speaking tours on Christianity and sexuality- spoke at Hillsong Church's Sense and Sexuality Workshop in Sydney last September and is due to address its Colour Your World Conference next year.

"Sy will bless you with his insights into identity and the heart," the Hillsong website says.

"Happily, homosexuality can be turned around," Mr Rogers says in a clip of his show, Turnaround, on youtube.com. "Homosexuality is out of tune with religion; it is not what God planned for human sexuality."

On its application form, Mercy Ministries used to ask young women if they had been involved in lesbianism, next to the question on whether they had been involved in prostitution. They changed that in 2006 to ask "have you ever been involved in any form of same-sex relationships?".

Another former resident, who did not wish to be identified, said: "Girls were asked on the application form, as well as in a telephone interview, if they have ever had lesbian or bisexual relationships. They asked if I had

been involved in drug abuse, witchcraft, or lesbianism. They bunched them in together like that."

In the house, residents were prevented from having any form of physical contact - no comforting hugs, no shoulder to cry on - and even though there were three young women to each bedroom, they were not allowed to change clothes if another person was in the room, she said.

Mercy Ministries denies it runs an "ex-gay" program, and Hillsong has stopped running its "ex-gay" program, called Living Waters, although both organisations remain staunchly conservative - anti-abortion and anti-gay.

The Herald asked Hillsong to explain its teachings on homosexuality. No response had been received last night.

One former member of Hillsong, who held several "leadership positions" in the church, revealed that he was shunned when he disclosed his homosexuality.

"The ostracising that occurred by fellow worshippers was severe," said the man, who asked not to be identified. "As soon as I came out my entire social network decided the best way to deal with the situation was to stop all communication with me.

"The only hope I had was my family and friends who were extremely supportive as they were not Hillsong members."

Hillsong Church taught that the devil inspired people to act on homosexual desires, he said.

"Hillsong believes that homosexuality is not normal and not a part of God's design for mankind - their belief is that it should be fixed and it's something that can be removed from someone's life."

One option presented to the man was to force himself into a heterosexual relationship. In the meantime, he was removed from his leadership role in the church and isolated.

Comments 1 - 50 of 272 |

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1. Comment #146507 by Luthien on March 19, 2008 at 6:39 am

 avatar
In the house, residents were prevented from having any form of physical contact - no comforting hugs, no shoulder to cry on...



Sick!

Other Comments by Luthien

2. Comment #146510 by Shaden on March 19, 2008 at 6:46 am

 avatarYou don't need enemies when you have friends like these.

Other Comments by Shaden

3. Comment #146516 by Barbara on March 19, 2008 at 6:51 am

 avatar
One option presented to the man was to force himself into a heterosexual relationship. In the meantime, he was removed from his leadership role in the church and isolated.

Wow! Shunned and isolated from the church community. Told to force himself into a relationship with someone to whom he's not attracted. That'll fix him.

Idiots!

Other Comments by Barbara

4. Comment #146517 by Peacebeuponme on March 19, 2008 at 6:52 am

Mercy Ministry may be a small church. It still angers me immensely that Religion can produce such bigoted words with little mainstream opposition. As has been said time and time again, you can't imagine an organisation today being able to preach the 'evils' of black people or jews without an uproar.

Other Comments by Peacebeuponme

5. Comment #146519 by al-rawandi on March 19, 2008 at 6:56 am

 avatar
been involved in drug abuse, witchcraft, or lesbianism




Whenever some religious person gets on about "witchcraft" I know all I need to know.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

6. Comment #146522 by Luthien on March 19, 2008 at 6:58 am

 avatarWe could all start a "hugs" mission, and go stand outside their church (a la the "free hugs" thing). :-P

The banner could say:

"Feeling a little queer? Have a free hug"

Other Comments by Luthien

7. Comment #146527 by hungarianelephant on March 19, 2008 at 7:01 am

 avatarPerhaps I'm missing something, but where does it say in the bible that lesbianism is wrong? Or do we think this is a lot of screwed up people making a load of things up?

Other Comments by hungarianelephant

8. Comment #146528 by Pattern Seeker on March 19, 2008 at 7:02 am

 avatarAs stated in my previous posting on Mercy Ministries-

No Mercy for Mercy!

'Nuff said.

Other Comments by Pattern Seeker

9. Comment #146532 by The Reverend Dark on March 19, 2008 at 7:11 am

 avatarHungarianElephant

Thank Saul of Tarsus in what became the new testament for that one. If you read Leviticus, it is very specific as to what is and is not allowed. Leviticus is against man on man and man on animal and woman on animal; but it does not say a thing about women on women.

So the god of the old testament is as described in the opening to the God Delusion, but I will give his imaginary arse a hearty well-done slap for allowing hot, biblical, girl on girl action.

Cheers,
The Reverend Shayne Dark

Other Comments by The Reverend Dark

10. Comment #146538 by irate_atheist on March 19, 2008 at 7:19 am

 avatarMercy Ministries? Those fucktards? Enough said.

Other Comments by irate_atheist

11. Comment #146541 by the_ultimate_samurai on March 19, 2008 at 7:19 am

thats the thing, it doesnt..it says specifically man with another man, nothing for woman with another woman, they infered that god doesnt like lesbians because he doesnt like gays
which if he is indeed a guy i dont think this lack of commandment was an oversight.

there is a banner for ya "god loves lesbians" (though i dont think we need to give them ideas...that could single handedly destroy the atheist movement ^_^)

though i was not the least surprised when i heard it was against lesbianism and then read it was a woman talking. i just knew it, probably an "ex-gay" herself, this is such an obvious case of overcompensation if ever i seen it.

the girls there arent even there because they are lesbians, they are just girls who are so unfortunate as to be there. and because of this closet case trying to deny her sexuality she is forcing this on all the other girls, its unhealthy.

this is what repression gets you people...it doesnt work, it hasnt worked for the past couple thousand years and it wont work in the future, shame and repression are not healthy ways of dealing with impulses.

Other Comments by the_ultimate_samurai

12. Comment #146548 by Peacebeuponme on March 19, 2008 at 7:26 am

Irate_Atheist - I think you should tap into the youth market with a "Fucktardz" range of street wear.

Other Comments by Peacebeuponme

13. Comment #146555 by Edanator on March 19, 2008 at 7:32 am

"Pray the gay away" - South Park

Other Comments by Edanator

14. Comment #146563 by Tyler Durden on March 19, 2008 at 7:37 am

 avatarWhere's Mitchel and his avatar when you need it? :)

Other Comments by Tyler Durden

15. Comment #146567 by Tres on March 19, 2008 at 7:43 am

My oldest and best friend is involved with the Hillsong church, I never realised they were this ridiculous. I sincerely hope he doesn't believe that homosexuality is something that can be prayed away.

Other Comments by Tres

16. Comment #146583 by nickthelight on March 19, 2008 at 7:53 am

 avatarWhy is this article here? There are a few others that don't need to be here. This site is not a Christian forum.

Other Comments by nickthelight

17. Comment #146586 by Gymnopedie on March 19, 2008 at 7:56 am

Hungarianelephant and all other who are curious: http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/gay/long.htm

Other Comments by Gymnopedie

18. Comment #146590 by Pathfinder on March 19, 2008 at 7:59 am

Homosexuality - PRACTISING homosexuality, is a sin, as you no doubt know from your Leviticus. As a Christian I take a love-the-sinner-hate the sin view and have no problem with gays, any more than I do with lepers. For whatever reason under the Divine Protocol, Satan has targeted them and their salvation lies in turning to God for help. Homosexuality is abnormal, it rules out procreation, and you can say what you like about other species exhibiting same-sex sexual proclivities but animals do not have CELESTIAL HELP, or awareness of the divine.

Besides, homosexuality can be cured, I don't mean the crude Aversion Therapy treatments of the 50s:
I mean a commitment to our Lord and His Commandments. Look at the ranks of the famous who have remained happily married, in spite of their dastardly inclinations: Sir Michael Redgrave, Leonard Bernstein, Thomas Mann, Maynard Keynes. I
could go on.

Other Comments by Pathfinder

19. Comment #146598 by AllanW on March 19, 2008 at 8:06 am

 avatarI take it back, Pathfinder is not someone we know posing as a religious bigot. Pathfinder is just another homophobic liar for christ.

Shame, I was looking forward to the unveiling. As it is we will just have to put up with the noxious views as any attempt at reasonable debate (as we all know from previous demonstrations) will only result in the verbal equivalent of banging our heads on a brick wall.

Other Comments by AllanW

20. Comment #146599 by Ian Bamlett on March 19, 2008 at 8:06 am

 avatarComment #146590 by Pathfinder:

Look at the ranks of the famous who have remained happily married, in spite of their dastardly inclinations


"Dastardly inclinations"!?

That was the final straw! Across so many threads, now I am as certain as I can be that you, sir, are taking the piss.

Other Comments by Ian Bamlett

21. Comment #146603 by Ian Bamlett on March 19, 2008 at 8:09 am

 avatarComment #146598 by AllanW

Pathfinder is not someone we know posing as a religious bigot


Funny you should be writing your post as I was writing mine and come to the exact opposite conclusion! But I think your wrong. Who the hell uses language like that unless they are a put up job and secretly want to get caught! I ask you!

Other Comments by Ian Bamlett

22. Comment #146605 by sidfaiwu on March 19, 2008 at 8:09 am

 avatar@Pathfinder

"Besides, homosexuality can be cured"

Well, seeing as homosexuality isn't a disease, It cannot be 'cured'. Can the behavior change? Sure, just as a heterosexual can abstain from sex. But I doubt that the attraction can be undone.

"As a Christian I take a love-the-sinner-hate the sin view and have no problem with gays."

If you want to deny same sex couples equal protection under the law then you do have a problem with gays.

Other Comments by sidfaiwu

23. Comment #146609 by Steve Zara on March 19, 2008 at 8:12 am

 avatar
Christian I take a love-the-sinner-hate the sin view and have no problem with gays, any more than I do with lepers.


How lovely.

Look at the ranks of the famous who have remained happily married, in spite of their dastardly inclinations: Sir Michael Redgrave, Leonard Bernstein, Thomas Mann, Maynard Keynes. I
could go on.


That is because those people were bisexual you twit. For some people in makes no more sense to limit themselves to partners of one sex that to limit themselves to partners of one hair colour.

I do hope you realise that it is perfectly normal in nature for a range of sexual orientation to be present in a species, and for this to be perfectly healthy?

Other Comments by Steve Zara

24. Comment #146611 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 8:13 am

 avatar
have no problem with gays, any more than I do with lepers.

Wait, wait, wait, wait...You mean to tell me that you think leprosy is also a sin or the result of a sin?!?! Are you serious? Try this. It's caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. WTF?

Other Comments by annabanana

25. Comment #146612 by Incredulous on March 19, 2008 at 8:15 am

"As soon as I came out my entire social network decided the best way to deal with the situation was to stop all communication with me.


I can't think of a better thing that could happen to this person, in the long term anyway. Of course, it is painful and completely inhuman such a thing to happen to anyone, but there are much better social networks to develop and more genuine friendships to form.

An amoeba like me would simply say 'you don't like me I don't like you; bye'.

People deserve far better than this false friendship with false worshippers of false gods.

Merciless institutions like Mercy Ministries make me want to spit!

Other Comments by Incredulous

26. Comment #146614 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 8:16 am

 avatarAs an addendum to my last comment, armadillos frequently carry Mycobacterium leprae. So apparently, touching armadillos must be a sin.

Other Comments by annabanana

27. Comment #146615 by Quetzalcoatl on March 19, 2008 at 8:19 am

 avatar
Homosexuality - PRACTISING homosexuality, is a sin, as you no doubt know from your Leviticus. As a Christian I take a love-the-sinner-hate the sin view and have no problem with gays, any more than I do with lepers. For whatever reason under the Divine Protocol, Satan has targeted them and their salvation lies in turning to God for help. Homosexuality is abnormal, it rules out procreation, and you can say what you like about other species exhibiting same-sex sexual proclivities but animals do not have CELESTIAL HELP, or awareness of the divine.


What rubbish. You have a problem with Practicing homosexuals. What happens when they get good enough that they don't need to practice any more?

A stupid answer, to a stupid statement. And what the heck is the Divine Protocol?

Look at the ranks of the famous who have remained happily married, in spite of their dastardly inclinations


Dastardly inclinations? Have we stumbled into an episode of "Wacky Races?"

Other Comments by Quetzalcoatl

28. Comment #146616 by JemyM on March 19, 2008 at 8:19 am

 avatar
Pathfinder
Homosexuality - PRACTISING homosexuality, is a sin, as you no doubt know from your Leviticus. As a Christian I take a love-the-sinner-hate the sin view and have no problem with gays, any more than I do with lepers.


You are no Christian. Christians do not follow Leviticus. You are a false prophet who breaks the 2nd and the 8th commandment.

Other Comments by JemyM

29. Comment #146618 by ThoughtsonCommonToad on March 19, 2008 at 8:23 am

 avatarPathfinder I'm certain you're a parody sorry if I'm spoiling some in-joke. Exclusive homosexuality is practised by a minority, so by common definitions of normal it is abnormal. Just as sitting down to urinate in men is abnormal, having a phobia of baked beans and thinking watching tennis is entertaining (Oh how dreadfully boring it is) is abnormal.
If abnormality is your justification for sin, go ahead sir.

Other Comments by ThoughtsonCommonToad

30. Comment #146621 by The Reverend Dark on March 19, 2008 at 8:25 am

 avatarAnna wrote


As an addendum to my last comment, armadillos frequently carry Mycobacterium leprae. So apparently, touching armadillos must be a sin.


I suppose that depends on where you touch them. Now then little armadillo, show us where the nasty man without a nose touched you.

Other Comments by The Reverend Dark

31. Comment #146625 by Ian Bamlett on March 19, 2008 at 8:29 am

 avatarComment #146615 by Quetzalcoatl

Dastardly inclinations? Have we stumbled into an episode of "Wacky Races?"


Well quite! I think he's (women aren't this childish) bored now and is leaving all the clues.

Other Comments by Ian Bamlett

32. Comment #146626 by irate_atheist on March 19, 2008 at 8:30 am

 avatar12. Comment #146548 by Peacebeuponme -

Irate_Atheist - I think you should tap into the youth market with a "Fucktardz" range of street wear.
I just want a t-shirt with Fuck Off on the front and Srsly on the back.

Other Comments by irate_atheist

33. Comment #146627 by Geoff on March 19, 2008 at 8:31 am

 avatar12. Comment #146548 by Peacebeuponme
Irate_Atheist - I think you should tap into the youth market with a "Fucktardz" range of street wear.


Too late!
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/george/-/pv_design_prod/pg_1/p_storeid.71055747/pNo_71055747/id_14093370/opt_/fpt_/c_666/

18. Comment #146590 by Pathfinder
Homosexuality - PRACTISING homosexuality, is a sin...


But "practice makes perfect"! Surely we should all aim for perfection?

Besides, homosexuality can be cured, I don't mean the crude Aversion Therapy treatments of the 50s:
I mean a commitment to our Lord and His Commandments. Look at the ranks of the famous who have remained happily married, in spite of their dastardly inclinations: Sir Michael Redgrave, Leonard Bernstein, Thomas Mann, Maynard Keynes. I
could go on.


I suggest you don't start to play that game, or we can start "naming names", too!

There's nothing wrong with homosexuality until it's corrupted by the hypocrisy of, say, Ted Haggard, or the paedophilia of all those Catholic priests.

Other Comments by Geoff

34. Comment #146628 by al-rawandi on March 19, 2008 at 8:31 am

 avatarJemyM,




In the Book of Matthew Jesus said he had come to reaffirm the law of the Old Testament.


So indeed hatred of homosexuals is an inalienable tenet of Christianity.


One more reason not to like Pathfinder.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

35. Comment #146633 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 8:35 am

 avataral-rawandi,

Except that Jesus wasn't married and he kept only the company of men... ;-)

Other Comments by annabanana

36. Comment #146634 by irate_atheist on March 19, 2008 at 8:36 am

 avatar33. Comment #146627 by Geoff -
Too late!
The fuckers! Why aren't the royalty cheques gushing in to myself and Al-Rawandi? Where's our cut of the profits?! What happened to my agent? The bastard must have died...

Other Comments by irate_atheist

37. Comment #146638 by Quetzalcoatl on March 19, 2008 at 8:39 am

 avatarAnnabanana-

perhaps Jesus and Judas had some kind of lovers' quarrel, and things just got out of hand :)

PS- checked my PM, got nothing.

Other Comments by Quetzalcoatl

38. Comment #146640 by Steve Zara on March 19, 2008 at 8:43 am

 avatarComment #146618 by ThoughtsonCommonToad
Exclusive homosexuality is practised by a minority, so by common definitions of normal it is abnormal.


I would say that anything that occurs in between 5% and 10% of a population is certainly deserving of the term "normal".

Other Comments by Steve Zara

39. Comment #146642 by The Reverend Dark on March 19, 2008 at 8:44 am

 avatarQuetz/Anna,

Google Clement and Secret Mark. Jesus, like other messiah figures before him (Koresh, Smith, Jones) wasn't adverse to a little how's your father with a well oiled worshipper or two.

Cheers,
The Reverend Shayne Dark

Other Comments by The Reverend Dark

40. Comment #146644 by sarah95 on March 19, 2008 at 8:47 am

 avatar
"Happily, homosexuality can be turned around," Mr Rogers says in a clip of his show, Turnaround, on youtube.com. "Homosexuality is out of tune with religion; it is not what God planned for human sexuality."


And you just KNOW that this guy, like almost every male I've ever met, LOVES watching lesbian porn. I guess hypocrisy and "scripture following" go hand in hand.

Other Comments by sarah95

41. Comment #146645 by MPhil on March 19, 2008 at 8:52 am

 avatar

I would say that anything that occurs in between 5% and 10% of a population is certainly deserving of the term "normal".


That's why I don't like the term 'normal'... conforming to a norm or to the average.

By that definition, OCD, depression and a lot of other things would be 'normal'. If it's the percentage you want to reference - use "prevalent"... but "normal" indicates that nothing should be done about it. And OCDs, depression and other illnesses should certainly be treated. Homosexuality is nothing of the sort. I don't care about 'normal' - I care about freedom, about rights and privileges and about being social.

I think the term 'normal' stands in the way.

Other Comments by MPhil

42. Comment #146647 by al-rawandi on March 19, 2008 at 8:52 am

 avatarsarah95,



Almost every guy you know loves lesbian porn?


You must hang around a very "special" crowd.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

43. Comment #146648 by al-rawandi on March 19, 2008 at 8:54 am

 avatarSteve,




What about 1%?


I have a question, at what point, the exact % does something become normal.


Certaily 95% is normal, and .000001% is abnormal, so can you please let me know you rubric for determining "normality" and "abnormality".



Thanks.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

44. Comment #146650 by MPhil on March 19, 2008 at 8:56 am

 avataral,

You must hang around a very "special" crowd.


seriously?
Almost all male individuals above a certain age I know also find lesbian sex highly erotic...
but then, they're not homophobes - and neither am I :)

Other Comments by MPhil

45. Comment #146653 by al-rawandi on March 19, 2008 at 8:58 am

 avatarMPhil,




I really don't get it. I mean, I guess naked women are good, so long as they fall within an acceptable weight range. But the lesbian acts are not particularly interesting to me. It is certainly better than a sharp stick in the eye.

But if you offered me Lesbian Porn or a documentary on some interesting topic. I would take the documentary.

Now, if it was lesbian porn or a David Robertson lecture, I am going to have to say Lesbian Porn. I wonder if wooter likes lesbian porn.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

46. Comment #146655 by Quetzalcoatl on March 19, 2008 at 9:03 am

 avataral-rawandi-

Now, if it was lesbian porn or a David Robertson lecture, I am going to have to say Lesbian Porn


No argument there.

Other Comments by Quetzalcoatl

47. Comment #146656 by MPhil on March 19, 2008 at 9:03 am

 avataral,

:)

To each his own... I was merely reporting my observations.

Hmm.. documentary or lesbian porn? Depends on how hot I think the women involved are, what mood I'm in and whether if there's a willing female present.

It's like asking me to chose between having a wonderful dinner or a attending a lecture on some scientific topic... why not both? :)

Other Comments by MPhil

48. Comment #146657 by Steve Zara on March 19, 2008 at 9:03 am

 avatarComment #146645 by MPhil
That's why I don't like the term 'normal'... conforming to a norm or to the average.


I treat 5% as a useful figure, simply because that is the figure often used in science as a measure of statistical significance. No matter what personal views are about certain types of behaviour, if they occur in 5% or above they can't sensibly be called 'abnormal'.

Other Comments by Steve Zara

49. Comment #146661 by Big City on March 19, 2008 at 9:06 am

 avatar
Divine Protocol


WTF?
Braaaaziiiiil

Other Comments by Big City

50. Comment #146662 by Steve Zara on March 19, 2008 at 9:06 am

 avatarComment #146648 by al-rawandi
Certaily 95% is normal, and .000001% is abnormal, so can you please let me know you rubric for determining "normality" and "abnormality".


There is a scientific tradition that if something occurs 1 in 20 times or more frequently, you can't consider it worth investigating as something different from normal.

Other Comments by Steve Zara
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