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CANADA: Anglican General Synod Refuses to Recognize Ex-Gays

Canadian Anglican General Synod Refuses to Recognize Ex-Gays

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario, June 4, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Anglican General Synod voted Thursday to amend a motion on same-sex blessings to include a consultation on the experiences of gay and lesbian people. However, a motion to amend this to also include "ex-gays and lesbians" was defeated.

In a livejournal.com commentary, Peter Ould, himself an "ex-gay" expresses his outrage. Since the American Psychiatric Association voted to remove homosexuality as a disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 30 years ago, Ould argues, "no evidence has emerged that there is a substantive biological, genetic or chemical basis to homosexual attraction."

"This has not stopped the gay lobby promulgating both the fallacious 'One in Ten' assertion and equally the notion that you are 'Born Gay' (a notion for which there is no scientific evidence to this day)," Ould contends.

Ould claims the motivation behind the Anglican synod's decision to exclude ex-gays was to forward a political ideal. "The motion before Canadian General Synod was apparently framed in an atmosphere of inclusion and pastoral affection," he writes. But, "by voting down the ex-gay amendment, they demonstrated that this motion had nothing to do with listening, nothing to do with rescuing minorities and very little to do with freedom and respect," Ould asserts. He describes the decision to exclude "ex-gays" as "a front for political agendas."

In his cynical conclusion, Ould writes, "Congratulations Canadian General Synod . . . you just demonstrated not only the power (or absence) of the Spirit of Christ within you but also the truth of the love behind the liberal wing. God Bless the Anglican Church of Canada, because nobody else can help you now."

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Canadian General Synod says "Ex-Gays - Shut Up - We include everybody except you"

At 5 minutes to 8 in the evening EST (00:55 BST) Canadian General Synod voted to amend a motion on Same-Sex Blessings to include a consultation on the experiences of gay and lesbian people. However, a motion to amend this to also include "ex-gays and lesbians" was defeated.

Unbelievable.

Since when did the voice of people like myself, Mario Bergner and thousands of others who have found God's healing and restoration from homosexual attraction not count? Is it because inclusivism is only allowed when it fits a particular political agenda?

Jeffrey Satinover in "Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth" tracks the way that the discussion over sexuality in North America has been hijacked and truthful dialogue subverted in order to support a particular political agenda, namely the public support of same-sex activity. Beginning with the historic APA vote in 1973, which moved in contrary to the then current psychological understanding of homosexuality. In the 30 years since then no evidence has emerged that there is a substantive biological, genetic or chemical basis to homosexual attraction. This has not stopped the gay lobby promulgating both the fallacious "One in Ten" assertion and equally the notion that you are "Born Gay" (a notion for which there is no scientific evidence to this day).

But let's put aside questions of science. The motion before Canadian General Synod was apparently framed in an atmosphere of inclusion and pastoral affection. Finally General Synod was doing something for the down-trodden minority, finally it was listening. The spirit of inclusivity and openness was being delivered in support of all excluded groups.

Except of course it wasn't, because by voting down the ex-gay amendment they demonstrated that this motion had nothing to do with listening, nothing to do with rescuing minorities and very little to do with freedom and respect. At 5 to 8 the illiberalism of Liberalism was demonstrated for all to see, shown to be bankrupt and simply a front for political agendas. If the Liberal wing of Canadian General Synod were really interested in listening they would not have silenced ex-gays. If they were really interested in supporting minorities they wouldn't have stamped on the hundreds and thousands of ex-gays in their parishes. If they were really interested in showing respect they would have extended the hand of friendship to people like myself.

But no, let's be quite clear what General Synod was actually saying. At 5 to 8 General Synod said it cared little or nothing about me. At 5 to 8 General Synod said that my voice wasn't worth hearing.

At 5 to 8 General Synod said that I was not a brother in Christ.

Congratulations Canadian General Synod - at 5 to 8 you just demonstrated not only the power (or absence) of the Spirit of Christ within you but also the truth of the love behind the liberal wing.

God Bless the Anglican Church of Canada, because nobody else can help you now.

END

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