Ex-Gay Groups | ||
Four
Letters from Steve C to Steve S
ex-gay groups (you are here)
Three Letters from Steve S to
Steve C and/or Maggie
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Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 00:16:51 -0500 (EST)
From: Steve C To: Steve Sc Subject: ex-gay groups On Thu, 20 Mar 1997, Steve S wrote:
Hi Steve S., (For ease of reading I'm going to use our last initials along with our shared Christian name. :-) ) I just want to mention that I don't know more than one ex-gay group (New Direction, Toronto) so my response is limited by that. With regard to "harm and fear", I'm wondering how many ex-gay groups you know about from your own, personal, first hand experience and how much of your observation is based on what would be called hearsay (someone else's experience). That, of course, does not mean you are not entitled to an opinion - I'm just suggesting that I expect we both have a limited personal experience and speaking of all ex-gay groups as though they are the same may not be fair for either of us to do. As far as "the harm they do", I hear that statement a lot. Word for word. It is usually also prefaced with the phrase "I've heard enough horror stories ..." These phrases are both effective at creating an impression in the hearer's mind without any factual evidence that can be weighed. What I'm suggesting is that there's a lot of stuff repeated because it's expedient to dislike (hate?) ex-gay groups but not necessarily because it's first hand information. So, am I categorically denying what you've suggested? No! Of course not - *because there isn't anything specific to assess.* I hope the problems *do* come out! Where things need to be fixed - let's do it - but innuendos, by virtue of their intangable nature, cannot help that process along. Steve S. said: [snip]
Steve C.:
Steve S. said: [snip]
Steve C.:
Steve S. wrote: [snip]
Steve C.: I experienced the same kind of feelings for many years. (It's in my story.) I feel very, very sad as I read your words, Steve, because I know they are true. You received a message that said your acceptance by God was conditional on being heterosexual. It was not and *IT IS NOT!* That is J&R's (Justice & Respect) central message. God loves us ALL *unconditionally.* On Easter Sunday morning, if j&r comes up "smelling like a (little) rose", ... Steve Schalchlin, *this bud's for you!* Sincerely, Steve (C) |
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