CONVERSION THERAPY OUTLAWED

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Book Review by Perter Barnes : Cause, Free to Change: Survey of 78 Ex-LGBT People, available through cause.victoria@gmail.com

Before the Victorian government (Australia) passed its oppressive laws banning ‘conversion therapy’ in February 2021, it drew on a predictable report from La Trobe University entitled Preventing Harm, Promoting Justice. This was based on the testimony of just fifteen individuals who claimed that ‘conversion therapy’ had been harmful and damaging to them. As a result, praying for and counselling a homosexual – even one who asks to be prayed for and counselled – has become a criminal offense carrying huge fines and long gaol terms. Against this, Cause (Coalition Against Unsafe Sexual Education) has found 78 people who have experienced lasting change through counselling. Indeed, the number is growing.

SURVEY OF 78 EX-LGBT PEOPLE

The 107 page work is thorough and trustworthy. The dangers in promoting the homosexual and lesbian lifestyle, and entrenching gender confusion, are well exhibited. The testimonies from former homosexuals, lesbians and transgenderites, in chapter 7 of the book, are powerful indeed, and deeply moving. Not all give a Christian story; some come from Muslims and some do not indicate any religious convictions. But transformation through Christ is a thread running through much of this book. La Trobe’s study was supposedly aimed at preventing harm, but achieved the opposite. Sin is a form of bondage and there is only one solution.

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:32,36

The Victorian legislation was a cruel form of keeping people in bondage, even if they expressed a wish to change. We can be grateful that this clear and brave study was put together by Con Kafataris, John Whitehall, John Steenhof and others. May God greatly use it!

Please circulate this information as widely as possible.

TAKING BACK THE RAINBOW

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Freedom March declares move of God among ex-LGBT people

Freedom March 2021 DC

WASHINGTON — Men and women who once lived and identified as part of the LGBT community are confident that a “rainbow revival” is at hand. 

Gathered under the blazing sun with temperatures in the mid-90s at the Sylvan Theater in the shadow of the Washington Monument, approximately 200 attended the Freedom March, an event for formerly LGBT-identifying people who share testimonies of how Jesus transformed their lives. 

The gathering was first held in the same location in 2018. Last year’s Freedom March was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With many sporting T-shirts decorated with rainbow flags and the words “Rainbow Revival,” march participants spoke with The Christian Post about the transforming power of Jesus.

Angel Colon, who miraculously survived after Omar Mateen shot him several times at the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting in Orlando in June 2016, said the “rainbow revival” is a sign of God’s covenant. “We are taking back the rainbow,” Colon said. “It’s His. For us, it’s something beautiful.” “We are here and we’re loud, letting the world know that the rainbow is something beautiful,” he added. “And we shouldn’t be ashamed of what it really is.”

Colon and his compatriots are hearing from increasing numbers of people who desire to leave the LGBT life to follow Jesus, as Freedom March events have continued. He believes that the COVID-19 pandemic was a blessing in disguise because it forced many to go deep with the Lord. “Especially now during Pride month, we want to say we love you” to the LGBT community. We want to tell the gay community that we love them. We don’t want to judge you or condemn you and welcome you with open arms and be a reflection of Jesus. We don’t want to do anything but love everyone.” Colon said.

Freedom March co-founder Jeffrey McCall told CP that he noticed an uptick in emails he received from people wishing to leave the LGBT life and identity behind last summer. “We are getting more emails, more people reaching out and wanting help than we’ve ever had in the past three years,” he continued. He believes that the Church is at the beginning stage of reaching out effectively to LGBT individuals with the transformational power of life in Christ. 

Kim Zember, who is Catholic and on the Freedom March’s board of directors, shared with CP that the phrase “conversion therapy” is misleading. “It’s not about ‘converting’ someone,” Zember said. “When Jesus walked the earth, he didn’t walk around converting people. He invited people to be transformed. And we’re transformed in a relationship with Jesus Christ.” He said, they are particularly concerned about efforts to limit counseling options for those experiencing conflicting or unwanted sexual feelings and impulses or gender confusion related to their faith. Faith-based approaches to help individuals deal with these unwanted attractions are often derisively referred to as “conversion therapy.”

Elizabeth Woning CHANGED

Elizabeth Woning of the CHANGED movement speaks outside the U.S. Capitol for a press conference on June 4, 2021

Taken from an article by Brandon Showalter, Christian Post Reporter