"...the local organization of Southern Baptist ministers sponsored a revival in my town. I decided to attend. About twelve hundred people came to an event featuring a minister billed as a "former homosexual"; he acknowledged that being gay was how one was born and that gay people should be treated with respect and caused no physical harm - but he also preached that gay people an control their behavior by accepting Jesus Christ as their savior and having a personal relationship with God.
It devastated me to see people with their children there Did they not realize what that kind of message they were sending to kids who, after all, might be themselves gay? As I said above and will explain several times throughout this book, I know from personal experience that trying to change your sexual orientation gives rise to an inordinate amount of unnecessary suffering. That minister, and the parents who brought their children that evening, committed nothing less than child abuse. I realize this might seem like a very harsh thing to say. I believe most of these parents would not do this intentionally. I know they love their children very much. But the unintended consequences of their actions will be nothing less than horrific for their kids."- From the forward of "Crisis" by Mitchell Gold
I have only read a bit, but this book looks to be a powerful read of 40 personal stories about "the personal, social and religious pain and trauma of growing up gay in America." Far from being anti-religion, it is a gracious collection of testimonies from a wide range of religious and secular leaders.More to come... http://www.crisisbook.org/
2 comments:
Wow. I want to read this. When you're done, can I borrow it?
Totally, I'm pacing myself so I can really think about each story. But I'll definitely get it to you afterward. Life is meant to share :)
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