Pentecostalism is a “renewal” movement of Christianity that began in America in the early 20th century. The Pentecostal faith has a number of core fundamentals, including a strict obedience to scripture, but above all, Pentecostals testify having experienced a “unique gifting” of the Holy Spirit.
The modern world is quickly evolving towards an amazing new understanding of tolerance, compassion, and truly unconditional love, yet certain branches of Christianity — including Pentecostalism (i.e. Evangelicalism) and Catholicism — remain firmly anchored in the Dark Ages. Case in point is the fundamental archaic belief of these religions that homosexuality is a sin. There is nothing enlightened about these sin- and shame-based religions, and as civilized society and the world’s more enlightened religions move us towards a better place, these outdated institutions will begin to collapse from within. Earlier this morning, an enormous crack appeared in the Pentecostal Church and its outrageous views on homosexuality, and it came in the form of an apology from Alan Chambers, the head of Exodus International, a group that has long backed “change therapy” for gays and lesbians. In a stunning admission, Chambers admitted he, too, has homosexual tendencies, and issued the following apology to the countless gay men, women, and children whose lives he and his organization destroyed:
“Recently, I have begun thinking again about how to apologize to the people that have been hurt by Exodus International through an experience or by a message. I have heard many firsthand stories from people called ex-gay survivors. Stories of people who went to Exodus affiliated ministries or ministers for help only to experience more trauma. I have heard stories of shame, sexual misconduct, and false hope. In every case that has been brought to my attention, there has been swift action resulting in the removal of these leaders and/or their organizations. But rarely was there an apology or a public acknowledgement by me. And then there is the trauma that I have caused. There were several years that I conveniently omitted my ongoing same-sex attractions. I was afraid to share them as readily and easily as I do today. They brought me tremendous shame and I hid them in the hopes they would go away. Looking back, it seems so odd that I thought I could do something to make them stop. Today, however, I accept these feelings as parts of my life that will likely always be there. The days of feeling shame over being human in that way are long over, and I feel free simply accepting myself as my wife and family does. As my friends do. As God does.”
Continuing the decades-long tradition of Pentecostal, Evangelical, and Catholic leaders revealing themselves to be hypocrites of the first order, Chambers has revealed that while he and his despicable colleagues at Exodus International were busy traumatizing innocent gay men, women, and children around the world, he too was dreaming of cock.
The confession will air on an episode of Our America with Lisa Ling which will be broadcast on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network tonight. Even more amazing than the confession itself is the fact that late last night the Oprah Winfrey Network updated their story with the following terrific news: “Following a meeting Wednesday night at its conference, Exodus International went further, announcing it is closing up shop. ‘Exodus International, the oldest and largest Christian ministry dealing with faith and homosexuality announced tonight that it’s closing its doors after three-plus decades of ministry,’ the organization said in a statement.”
In a brilliant speech in November 2012 following President Obama’s winning the presidential election, President Bill Clinton paid tribute to the LGBT and minority communities around the world when he poured his heart out with the following statement: “Shame-based institutions will not survive the 21st century.” As the modern world watches such shame-based systems as the Pentecostal, Evangelical, and Catholic Churches begin to collapse from hypocrisy and inhuman fundamentalism, the world’s most beautiful and truly enlightened religions will begin to rise to the top. There are few greater examples of this than Bishop John Shelby Spong of the Episcopalian Church — in my opinion, the most stunning example of Christianity at its very best. After you watch the Oprah Winfrey preview of tonight’s special, I strongly encourage you to watch Bishop Spong’s brilliant interview below where he explains true Christianity at its very best. A truly remarkable 27 minutes, and one of the most important conversations I have ever discovered or shared here on FEELguide. A true classic.
In a 2009 condemnation of gay conversion therapy, The American Psychological Association issued a strong rebuke, warning of the immense danger of depression and suicide attempts associated with this practice. Gay conversion therapy is now illegal in California. In October 2012, TIME Magazine wrote: “The word ‘therapy’ should not be allowed to be used as a shield for practices that would be called abuse in any other setting. If parents want to use their religion to shame and assault their gay children, they shouldn’t be permitted to do so under the auspices of the health care system — any more than they should be permitted reimbursement or medical support for using faith-healing to treat cancer.”
SEE ALSO: Watch Pat Robertson’s Anti-Gay Tirade To See Very Worst Of The Evangelical Faith
SEE ALSO: Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini Trashes Catholic Church As “200 Years Out Of Date”
SEE ALSO: Americans Love God, But Millions Ditching Dogmatic Religions For Common Sense
SEE ALSO: Anne Hathaway & Family Left Catholic Church, Converted To Episcopalianism After Brother Came Out
