A previous post on this blog talked briefly about Exodus International. While idly surfing around the internet last night, reading the Ex Gay Watch blog I happened upon a link to this poor young man's blog: Chronicles of an ex-Ex-Gay. This man is detailing his life during and after "repairative therapy" (the practice of attempting to brainwash gay women & men into believing that they are merely confused heterosexuals). From just reading his experiences, it is obvious that this poor soul has been deeply wounded by this supposed "therapy" and now he is taking the first courageous steps to completely reject all that he was indoctrinated with while institutionalized with these mind-butchers. He's not even out of the closet yet, which makes it that much harder to deal with the feelings of self-hatred and unnatural conflict. I will pray for him and hope that he pulls through OK. I really identify with this poor fellow because he is an example of what could have happened to me if I hadn't been able to stand up to my own parents and resist their attempts to force me into this same sort of treatment center.
I find it interesting that Exodus and other anti-gay organizations are quick to tout dubious statistics concerning long-term "cures" that they have brought about in the lives of supposedly former homosexuals. Yet they mention nothing of the statistics on the extraordinarily high rates of suicide and mental illness following this treatment. Just another example of how ignorance is a powerful and dangerous tool of control.
In truth, sometimes it shames me to be identified as a Christian, or at least lumped in with the fundamentalist form of my religion. What really irks me is the fact that Christianity can be such a positive, peaceful, and accepting religion for those who embrace it in it's true spirit. It can also be a tool for change and understanding, but it has been corrupted and misrepresented by those with a self-serving agenda for power, control, and personal gain. I truly think that if they don't wake up and embrace more progressive philosophies, all fundamentalist religions will be the death of a large portion of mankind and eventually the death of themselves.
2 comments:
I just want to tell you that I loved how you put the struggle at XGW: "Hosing down the flames of ignorance with an eyedropper." Sure does feel that way sometimes.
Thanks :) I visited your blog and enjoyed it very much, but was unable to leave a comment because I don't want to sign up for an account. Would you consider turning on anonymous posting? :)
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