Correction appended
A former gay rights activist's "coming out" story about his path to becoming straight and his experience of a personal encounter with God has drawn skepticism, prompting the ex-gay to attempt to set the record straight.
"[I]t wasn't internal homophobia that caused my so-called 'hatred' of my own homosexuality. It was God," said Michael Glatze, former editor of Young Gay America magazine, who recently announced in a column that he is now a heterosexual.
After nearly two decades of identifying himself as gay and leading gay rights activism and Young Gay America magazine, Glatze left all of that and homosexuality itself after experiencing what he called a "very personal" encounter with God.
"In my story, I became acquainted with a very personal God whom I spoke to and who told me that I was beautiful, and that everyone else was – and is – too," he said in a follow-up article Tuesday titled "Confessions of a former 'gay rights' leader."
"In my story, I had a good relationship with God that got richer as I spent more time with Him. In my story, God is my best friend."
Amid criticism from pro-gay individuals who reject his claim that homosexuality is death and that people can change, Glatze made it clear in the Tuesday column that his "healing from homosexuality" is true.
"[M]y story becomes a story of healing from homosexuality, which I write in order to 'set the record straight' about the notion that people can't heal from homosexuality. That is not true. People can heal. I did it.
"I stand today a healed man," he said.
While Christian media have hailed Glatze's transformation, an ex-gay watchdog criticized the evangelical groups for rushing in to validate Glatze's testimony.
The skepticism of the validity of Glatze's story arises from his religious affiliation. In an interview with Dr. Warren Throckmorton, a noted expert in sexuality counseling, Glatze had confirmed a report that he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly known as the LDS church or Mormon church, earlier this year
"Given the crucial nature of Glatze’s religious experience to his testimony, how can evangelical leaders continue to hail Michael Glatze as an ex-gay success story without implicitly endorsing his religious beliefs?" posed Ex-Gay Watch.
For the most part, evangelicals do not consider Mormons a true branch Christianity. Many of them recognize the Mormon church as a cult.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., one of America's pre-eminent evangelicals, recently argued that Mormonism rejects what Christianity affirms and affirms what orthodox Christianity rejects.
"It is not Christianity in a new form or another branch of the Christian tradition. By its own teachings and claims, it rejects that very tradition," he said.
In Glatze's latest testimony, however, he says "I became a Christian."
And in regards to how exactly he came out of homosexuality, he said, "a lot of that is private."
Glatze has had various religious experiences, according to an e-mail he wrote to The Christian Post. He has had "samplings" from everything from Tao to Buddhism, Hindu and Christianity.
"One in a situation like mine (liberal, Ivy League background, part of an ‘agnostic’ crowd) spends a lot of time trying to find Truth," he stated. "It's a hard thing to find."
But he stresses that "Jesus, however, is what, ultimately, changed me."
Glatze had found truth in the Bible and, as many Christians believe, said the Bible condemns homosexuality. "That much is obvious," he said.
Mormons, however, have been criticized by most Christians for also following the Book of Mormon - a book that Mohler argued contains a different Jesus than traditional Bibles who is "not the only begotten Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, or the one through whose death on the cross we can be saved from our sins."
When asked about the specifics of his baptism into the Mormon church, Glatze did not immediately respond.
Nevertheless, he indicated absolute confidence in his latest column that he never wants homosexuality to return and went further to call it "gross."
"My story is that now I know the Truth about homosexuality. And my story is that now I'm going to do what I can to fight it."
Correction: Wednesday, July 11, 2007
An article on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, about a former gay rights activist's "coming out" story, rendered incorrectly the official name of the Mormon church. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not the Church of Latter Day Saints.
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To sujames, who said "you people hate too much. you should be more accepting of gays. its what jesus would want/do":
While Jesus did embrace sinners, he also told them to leave their lives of sin as well. We live in a society where the former is becoming less of a problem (as is revealed through polls revealing greater acceptance of homosexuals. But the latter is becoming more of a problem as society is becoming more and more accepting of ungodliness - whether it be pornography, homosexuality, profanity, etc. I love gay people, don't get me wrong. And it's because I love them that I tell them homosexuality is wrong. If I didn't love them, I wouldn't even bother to tell them something that I know to be wrong - like not telling a person who has too much to drink not to drive. But I do, which is why I deliver the message as it's been told to us. Sadly, I know that's not the motive of every Christian who stands against homosexuality, but I hope that the homosexual community can come to know that there are Christians who take this stance out of love - as hard as that may be to imagine.
you people hate too much. you should be more accepting of gays. its what jesus would want/do.
Whether or not Mormons are considered Christian, they follow the Bible more closely than mainline denominations these days, so it's no surprise that Mr Glaze escaped the bondage of sin through them. I take this as a call to action for Christians to start taking the Bible more seriously in their everyday life.
I agree with AC on 1), 2), and 3). . .
I would like to point out, after having read the Book of Mormon for myself that many of the Latter Day Saints' beliefs and doctrines (or mormonism) comes from a variety of sources. They have other 'standard works' they consider scripture. So, one must know the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are 3 of their scriptural works as well as the official teachings of the prophet, seer, and revelator of their church, which you might find in 'Conference' messages or the "Ensign" magazine. They badger you to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and then be baptized without telling you many of their beliefs Christians oppose are not in the Book of Mormon.
Apparently it is more important to some people what brand of Christianity a man embraces than it is that he has repented from a longstanding lifestyle that had rejected Christ and actively opposed God's commandments concerning sexual chastity. Why not be glad he has moved in the direction of truth? Those who reject him are like the older son in the parable of the Prodigal Son, who was unwilling to embrace and forgive his repentant brother, even though their Father had done so. If you thus choose to stand outside the feast, you are not going to be inside with God.
Many Evangelical Christians, in rejecting the significance of works, and the necessity of a church to mediate salvation, assert that all that is required to obtain salvation through Christ is a simple confession of faith in his saving grace. With the other Protestant Reformers, who had to reject the authority of the Catholic Church, they assert the Priesthood of Believers, so that no authority is needed to perform baptism other than belief in the Bible. It is therefore utterly inconsistent, not to say hypocritical, when people who insist that the requirements for salvation are so minimal ALSO claim that people who affirm that they have accepted Christ as their Savior and been baptized in His name and accept the Bible as true are somehow NOT really saved. Apparently Southern Baptists and other Evangelicals have extra requirements for members of other churches which they do not apply to themselves.
Even more ridiculous is the fact that many Evangelicals insist that the logical deduction of the unimportance of works is that no matter what sins one commits after being "saved" you are still "saved". Anyone who believes this has to logically conclude that if a "saved" person in their church later goes on to become a Catholic or a Mormon, he is still "saved". They should therefore have no objection to the conversion of Southern Baptists or others to Mormonism, since it does not and cannot affect their salvation. Yet such people claim it is a great tragedy if a Baptist becomes a Mormon.
If you really believe in "cheap grace" without works, and in assured salvation regardless of subsequent actions, then you have no religious basis to question the salvation of Mormons in general, and of members of your church who become Mormons in particular.
On the other hand, if you DON'T believe in "cheap grace" but believe that works have a role in salvation, either in fulfilling a requirement placed by God (Arminianism, Wesleyism) or manifesting the reality of ones being "born again", then you can hardly criticize Mormons for believing the same thing, namely that (a) man's works alone can never attain salvation (b) Christ's grace alone, without assent and repentance, cannot save a person, and thus (c) there must be an ACT of faith and repentance, of man accepting Christ sincerely and changing his heart, in order to be "born again" and "saved".
You either accept a role for free will and man's choice in salvation, or you don't. If you don't, it is pointless to dispute with anyone over salvation, because they will be saved or damned regardless. If you do, then the Mormons agree with you, and you have no reason to argue with them on that basis. Either way, it is silly to criticize Mormons over their belief in the Arminian, Wesleyan approach to salvation.
What would Jesus say?
Luke 9:49-50 "And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."
Seems to sum it up.
Are we not elated that the guy "desires" to be transformed? Michael Glatze testimony may be questionable, in reference to the religious foundational principles, but we all have to start somewhere. Send him spripture to aid in his relationship with God. Pray for his strength in the Lord. There is no condemnation in Christ, so let's let go of the vain scrutiny.
Mohler is wrong. Mormons in fact do believe Jesus is "the only begotten Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, or the one through whose death on the cross we can be saved from our sins." Ask any Mormon. Then ask yourself why Mohler would say this.
A final comment on johnjohnson's post...
3) The true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches that God has prepared a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness. The problem is that we all have sinned and will therefor be found guilty on that day and be subject to hell. What is sin? Sin is trangsression of Gods law. Examine yourself to see whether you have sinned or not: Have you ever lied? Ever stolen? Ever taken Gods name in vain? Ever lusted after someone? The Bible says that lust is the same as adultery. If you have done these things you are by your own admission.. a liar, a thief, a blasphemer and an adulter at heart and because of this you will be found guilty on judgment day and be cast off into hell forever.
The Good News is that the eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the Triune God, the Creator of all things including Lucifer, became a Man in Jesus Christ and suffered the wrath of the Father on that bloody cross in the place of guilty sinners. He died a substitutionary death on their behalf in order to bring them to God. He was then buried but on the third day rose again.
Because of and through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection God is now prepared to completely and fully pardon every sinner who repents of their sins and places all their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to save them. By grace alone through faith alone God will put His Spirit within him and cause him to walk in His ways. In other words, the sinner is given a new heart with new desires that naturally produces good works (good works as a result of salvation not as a way to earn or keep salvation). This amazing salvation is completely undeserved and comes to the sinner not by any works they have done or can do but purely by grace alone through faith alone.
My friend, whoever you are that is reading this, I beg you in the name of the Lord, repent of your sins and place your trust in the Jesus Christ of the Bible alone for your salvation. He promises eternal life to all who believe THIS gospel and not any other. Repent and believe and He will abundantly pardon and forgive you and grant you the gift of the Holy Spirit causing you to walk in His ways.
A couple comment on johnjohnson's post...
2) Mormonism preaches "another Jesus" and "another gospel"; something the Bible
warns about.
Example of their "another Jesus":
-The Mormon Jesus came into existence sometime after the Father (thus He is not
eternal which clearly contradicts John 1:1 and many other passages).
-The Mormon Jesus is a separate "god" from the Father.
-The Mormon Jesus is the brother of Lucifer (the Devil) (as opposed to the biblical Jesus who is the Creator of Lucifer and all other things whether visible or
invisible).
Examples of their "another gospel":
-Mormonism teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, "after all you can
do" which is salvation by works. (As opposed to biblical salvation which is by grace through faith, not of works Ephesians 2:8-9).
-Mormonism also teaches that for a person to be saved they must be baptized and
take their church's sacraments, and obey the commandments. (Read Romans and Galatians to find out whether salvation is by works or faith)
Knowing that Mormonism teaches a different God, and "another Jesus", and "another gospel"... Lets see what the Bible says about this:
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him..." 1 Corinthians 11:4-5
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9
A couple comment on johnjohnson's post...
1) The Trinity is not a man-made concept; it is exposition of what the Bible clearly teaches.
The Bible very clearly teaches that there is but ONE God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10, James 2:19) yet at the very same time it speaks of THREE DISTINCT PERSONS as God. It speaks of the Father as God (John 1:1) and the Son as God (John 1:1) and the Holy Spirit as God (Acts 5) yet it also shows that they are distinct (for example the Son prayed to the Father, "Not My will but Your will be done").
The fact that the 3 Persons of the God are DISTINCT disqualifies "modalism" which teaches that the Father becomes the Son who then becomes the Holy Spirit. In other words, it teaches that there is ONE God who wears different masks, or has different personalities. This, like the Mormon teaching that they are 3 gods, is also heretical.
The historical and more importantly biblical explanation is that God is 3 distinct Persons who eternally exist as ONE God.
The Father is not the Son and is not the Holy Spirit. The Father is God.
The Son is not the Father and is not the Holy Spirit. The Son is God.
The Holy Spirit is not the Father and is not the Son. The Holy Spirit is God.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are 3 distinct Persons YET they are NOT 3 gods.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are 3 distinct Person who are but ONE and ONLY ONE God.
On the other hand, Mormonism teaches that they are 3 gods which violates the crystal clear teaching of the Bible that there is but ONE God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:6) .
Thus, Christianity is monotheistic (believes in ONE God) while Mormonism is polytheistic (believes in many gods) and is therefore heretical.
I don't agree with the comment made by "gayguy," but it was hilarious, nonetheless.
It's amazing to me that people report that Mormons are not Christians, but do not report why with any detail. Most evangelicals argue this point based on two things: 1, Mormons do not endorse the Trinity, and 2, the Book of Mormon is added scripture.
No where in the bible is the concept of the trinity explained. Evangelicals believe that God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are one in the same. In genesis we read that God created man in his own image. Not sure how God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost can be one in the same if we have been created in their image. Further, the trinity comes primarily from the Nicean creed, developed by men (not prophets) some 400 years after Christ's death. If you have ever read the Nicean creed, it is very hard to understand. Finally, isn't interesting that the very people who reject the Book of Mormon as added scripture accept the Nicean creed as such? They don't say this in any thing they write, but they might as well.
Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They believe that through Christ's atonement, which includes His death on the cross, all can be saved. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (not the Church of Latter Day Saints, let's get it right guys) teaches that all mankind can be saved through this atonement, and that this gift is not withheld from anyone. This is truly a gift from a loving God.
In the end, those who critically think will see that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus is the Christ, that the Book of Mormon can only be the word of God, and that He is the most loving being in the Universe. Critical thinkers will also see that those who consider Mormons a cult may be more of one themselves.... afterall, they do not believe in the biblical god head - they believe in some man made concept called the trinity. They believe in some document that was written by men 400 years after Christ. Isn't that the definition of a Cult?
Finally, let me say this. Please don't banter with me. Take the time to really research this. I did. It's helped me make up my mind on this matter. Put all your history aside for a moment and consider the possibilities. Good luck in your journey.
Jesus Christ alone makes the greatest difference. Will-power can only take a person only a little ways. Jesus Christ the Lord takes out the sin and through the person of the Holy Spirit gives His people a new nature and takes them heaven-bound!
Anyone can say they have changed from heterosexuality to homosexuality. I don't believe he has really changed and I believe over time we will find that out. Parading around so-called "ex-gays" does not help anti-gay activism because we have heard these kinds of "testimonies" many times before and they have always turned out to be unture and frequently recanted. "Ex-gays have a major credibility problem. Most of the public does not believe they are really "ex-gay"
The fact that this man has joined the mormon church tells me his experience was not with the God of the Bible. I am sorry to have to say that, But I am praying that God really gets hold of this fellow.
If you take a look at the track record of longevity for people remaining ex-gay, it's not very good. I say give this guy a decade, and he'll be back in the Castro as the new editor of "Middle Aged Gay America."
Awesome!!!I also have been delivered from that lifestyle! Through the blood of Jesus Christ....I will be eternally grateful for what has been done for me.....And this man testimony is living proof that we are not born this way......If it can be done for one it can be done for anyone.....