Exodus comments about Ugandan situation on blog

On their blog, Exodus International commented today about the proposed “Anti-Homosexuality 2009” bill.

The Ugandan government is seeking to further stigmatize and criminalize (to death or extreme punishment) people who deal with homosexuality. It seems that the government has no respect for freedom.  Especially as it pertains to free will or self-determination on what a person does with their own same sex attractions. This sweeping, hateful, public policy being promoted threatens anyone struggling with same sex attractions, and their loved ones, with death or imprisonment.

Then the post refers to Don Schmierer, one of the American participants in the infamous ex-gay conference in Kampala, Uganda back in March.

I asked Don, who travels all around the world, about his thoughts on what is happening now in Uganda.  He responded:

“What this David Bahati is introducing does not reflect the Ugandans that I have ministered too.  The only place where I have run into this thinking is from some former Russian hardliners and that was only a very small percentage of the participants attending my seminars. After some challenges from me (except for one person) they softened up and came around to a more redemptive position.”

Hard to see where anyone softened. 

The individuals who hosted the conference where Mr. Schmierer spoke, Family Life Network, were identified today by conservative Ultimate Media as “fighting against what they call a proliferation of homosexuality in the country…”

We can agree with Thomas when he writes:

We definitely need to be praying for Uganda and working with whatever contacts we have there to try and stop this horrible legislation from passing.

Additional links:

Uganda’s strange ex-gay conference

More on the Ugandan ex-gay conference

Ugandan ex-gay conference goes political: Presenter suggests law to force gays into therapy

Reparative therapy takes center stage at Ugandan homosexuality conference

Gay Ugandan man seeks asylum in UK: EU group condemns Ugandan ex-gay conference

Open forum: Report from the Ugandan conference on homosexuality

Christian Post article on the Ugandan ex-gay conference

Scott Lively on criminalization and forced therapy of homosexuality

Christianity, homosexuality and the law

Uganda anti-gay group holds first meeting

Follow the money: Pro-family Charitable Trust

NARTH removes references to Scott Lively from their website

Aftermath of the Ugandan conference on homosexuality

Uganda: The other shoe drops

Ugandan travelogue from Caleb Brundidge and the International Healing Foundation

Dispatch from Uganda: Family Life Network identified as backing effort

15 thoughts on “Exodus comments about Ugandan situation on blog”

  1. Randy’s statement is buried in a blog post, it is not expressed as an official statement despite his claim to the contrary, and is well-concealed from the public.

    There has been no press release by Exodus, no outreach to Rick Warren, no condemnation of Stephen Langa and Martin Ssempa. And Exodus remains as deliberately vague as ever about Schmierer’s role in a conference that he and Chambers knew in advance would be used to launch a new antigay pogrom.

    Until Exodus issues a widely disseminated press release and condemns key individuals, Exodus has condemned nothing. Whispering a vague blog expression of horror, and offering to pray but do nothing else whatsoever, is in no way an explicit, official, public response to this human-rights disaster.

  2. Where is Don Schmierer, “one of the American participants in the infamous ex-gay conference in Kampala, Uganda back in March?” In hiding? Of all people, wouldn’t you think he would/should step up and speak out? At lease offer some sort of apology for this stupidity? Is he still on Exodus’s

    Board?

    I would imagine so — since he went with their blessing and received their praise. And why was it Randy Thomas, and not Exodus president, Alan Chambers, who gave Exodus’ “official” stand on this issue? Alan can sure take official stands on other issues and issue press releases for issues he really cares about.

  3. I have sent Exodus’s official statement with each email I have sent so far. I think it say a lot.

  4. @ Michael,

    I agree with the Rick Warren referral…and suggested it earlier.

    Fred Phelps has never been the face of either Evangelicalism or Fundamentalist Christianity. Some on the left like to beat us about the head and shoulders with his obscene views…

  5. LOL! I guess Randy Thomas deleted my post about the incongruity between what Schmierer said in that quote and what Stephen Langa and the FLN have been doing. Yet he leaves the trackback to this Throckmorton post which states the same thing.

    Opposing views or posts which highlite incongruities in his statements are ok, as long as they don’t appear in the comments section of his (Exodus’) blog.

  6. From Randy, on the Exodus blog:

    “Yes, this is an official response from Exodus.”

    He made a point of saying he wasn’t responding to me. That doesn’t matter. It was for Uganda, not me. Again, I thank Exodus for doing it. They must have thought it might do some good too. I think it will.

  7. On second thought, instead of risking losing something by attempting to paraphrase it, I think I will send Randy’s statement, word-for-word:

    The Ugandan government is seeking to further stigmatize and criminalize (to death or extreme punishment) people who deal with homosexuality. It seems that the government has no respect for freedom. Especially as it pertains to free will or self-determination on what a person does with their own same sex attractions. This sweeping, hateful, public policy being promoted threatens anyone struggling with same sex attractions, and their loved ones, with death or imprisonment.

    I think it says it very well. I will distribute it to everyone I know. Pray it has more power to have an impact than some here seem to think it will. God is at work. And God can do anything.

    Hey, here’s a thought: Maybe we could ask Rick Warren if he agrees. If he does, who knows? Maybe other religious leaders and organizations will follow suit. Maybe even the Family Life Network and International Healing Foundation will get on Board.

  8. Now, it can go like this: “Exodus, the world’s largest network of ex-gay ministries, has denounced this hateful legislation. For the sake of freedom of ministry and individual concience, won’t you do the same?”

    It’s what I intend to say when I communicate with Rick Warren and the other contacts we have been given. Thanks Debbie.

  9. Just a thought — I have always believed that the “I have no power, so what good would it do for me to speak out?” excuse was one of the devil’s most powerful tools.

    Issuing these statements, even from an organization with “miniscule power”, may have great impact as one voice builds upon the other. One brave Christian voice. Then another. And another. Until it’s a loud, collective cry.

    The devil loves silence.

    PS, I know it’s hard to believe, but as I told Warren today by phone, This was not about making Exodus look bad. It geuinely distresses me when I see Exodus in a mess like this. I would have been fighting for this just as hard if I were still ex-gay and still an Exodus Board member — just to let people know where we stand.

    The founders would have. I know Jim Kaspar would have. Gary Cooper would have. Robbi, Ron, Greg — even Frank Worthen. I am SURE of it.

    I am very proud that Exodus spoke. And that’s a fact, not gloating. They may not have done it the way I wanted, but they did the right thing.

  10. I did e-mail him, as well as Ssempa and Rick Warren via Saddleback. Michael, Rick Warren has done AIDS work in Uganda and he is known for his PEACE plan. He had Martin Ssempa speak at one of his AIDS conferences, and has a fairly close relationship with him.

    Thanks Debbie. I will do the same. Exodus may not have much power or influence, but I would not under-estimate what its recent statement may do — set an example, set the tone, inspire others to take action, etc. One small voice added to another, added to another. I believe it can make a difference.

    Wouldn’t that make Exodus proud? I am glad they did it. Not sure why it’s not on the website or why the blog is not linked to the website. Still think they should do a press release — as they have done on other important issues. Perhaps they will yet do this. It would be nice for Alan to make it even more official and more impactful — coming from #1. But at least we have #2 and the blog. I can spread the news.

  11. I did not give a Family Life Ministries contact earlier other than Stephen Langa’s e-mail address: [email protected]. I did e-mail him, as well as Ssempa and Rick Warren via Saddleback. Michael, Rick Warren has done AIDS work in Uganda and he is known for his PEACE plan. He had Martin Ssempa speak at one of his AIDS conferences, and has a fairly close relationship with him.

    Don’t know how much good any of it will do. I guess we’ll see.

  12. Does anyone have contact info for FLN.? There seem to be two different orgnizations.

  13. Well shoot… I’m just sorta late to the game concerning in incongruity between Schmierer’s statement and the actions of those he ministered to in Uganda, Stephen Langa and the FLN.

  14. We definitely need to be praying for Uganda and working with whatever contacts we have there to try and stop this horrible legislation from passing.

    Thanks to Randy for stating Exodus’s official position on the matter. Have to admit I don’t understand Don Schmierer’s comments.

    Warren, I need your opinion, Which contacts do you think would have the most impact, now that Exodus is clearly lending its official voice to the opposition of this horrible legislation?

    Who to contact first? You mentioned Rick Warren. Can you explain again why he is important?

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