Alan Chambers, a former homosexual who heads the nation's largest evangelical referral ministry on homosexual issues, clarified recent controversial remarks that he reportedly made regarding the term "ex-gay."
The president of Exodus International said he did not say that he has never met a successful ex-gay, as a Los Angeles Times article suggested, but that he has never met anyone who has loved the term "ex-gay."
Chambers says the term is difficult to define and comes across as confusing, according to OneNewsNow.
"[W]hile I understand why people have used it over the years – it's easy to use in a soundbite – to say that someone is primarily described by the behavior that they used to be involved in I think is a disservice to the people who have found freedom from homosexuality," he said, as reported by OneNewsNow.
The Exodus head further clarified another statement he made, in which he said, "By no means would we ever say change can be sudden or complete."
Chambers explained that he was not indicating that complete freedom isn't possible or that people have not experienced "amazing transformation" from homosexuality. Instead, using words like "sudden" or "complete" when describing a person's change in overcoming homosexual desires "gives the impression that people never struggle again."
Leaving homosexuality is a difficult journey that takes time, as Bob Stith, national gender issues specialist for the Southern Baptist Convention, believed Chambers was implying.
Chambers today identifies as a straight man and is married with two kids. And he says he still struggles with same-sex attraction. However, he doesn't have the desire to be involved in homosexuality, according to The Orange County Register. "It has no power over me," he said.
Rather than being labeled as an "ex-gay," Chambers told OneNewsNow that there are more accurate labels for him. "I'm a man. I'm a Christian. I'm a husband. I'm a father. I'm a son," He said.
Exodus International will be hosting a Freedom Conference in Irvine, Calif., June 26-July 1. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the conference which provides help for those struggling with homosexuality and those who know of someone struggling with homosexuality.
"Anyone who has undergone the life-changing process of leaving homosexuality behind will tell you that it is not an easy one," said Chambers in a statement. "However, for thousands of us, the journey has been well worth it and has resulted in lives that have been transformed and characterized by the mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ."
With protests planned around the Exodus Freedom Conference, Chambers said he welcomes dialogue on the issue.
Comments
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?
I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16)
Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.