Political Crossfire Forums

ToonArmyIsComing · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 5888 Location: Ontario

Now, this is interesting! Parents taking their kids and putting them into a "rehab" program to "cure" their homosexuality. They treat homosexuality as if it is a drug addiction!!!

Quote: Father Of Gay Teen Sent To 'Ex-Gay' Camp Comes Forward

(Washington) The father of a gay teenager who wrote in a Web log that he was being sent against his will to a camp run by a group called “Love in Action International” to "cure" him of his homosexuality is defending his actions.

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network Joe Stark says he did the right thing when he sent his 16 year old son Zach to the camp near Memphis, Tennessee.

“We felt very good about Zach coming here because… to let him see for himself the destructive lifestyle, what he has to face in the future, and to give him some options that society doesn't give him today,” Stark told CBN. “Knowing that your son... statistics say that by the age of 30 he could either have AIDS or be dead.”

Stark also said that he did nothing wrong in sending the teen to the camp against his will.

"But until he turns 18 and he's an adult in the state of Tennessee, I'm responsible for him. And I’m going to see to it that he has all options available to him.”

Stark told CBN that when Zack is an adult he can make his own life choices.

The interview is the first proof offered that Zack actually exists. His story first came to light last month when a Web logger going only by the name of "Zach" said his parents were sending him to the religious organization to try to convert him to heterosexuality. (story)

The teen identified himself as a 16-year-old from Bartlett, Tenn. but did not give a last name, making it impossible to verify the story.

He said on the Web log that his parents "tell me that there is something psychologically wrong with me. ... I'm a big screwup to them, who isn't on the path God wants me to be on. So I'm sitting here in tears ... and I can't help it."

The log created fury among LGBT activists and led to an investigation by the state Department of Children's Services. A department investigator visited the camp and found there were no signs of abuse. (story) The Department did not say whether it found "Zach" and until Stark came forward it remained unclear if the teen ever existed.

John Smid, executive director of Love in Action, said the allegations were never described to him but he assumed they involved a complaint of psychological abuse.

The camp program, Smid said, "is to help kids to grow in their relationship with Christ."

"We understand people don't have control over what they feel, but we teach them they are able to control what they do," Smid said. "We don't have to act on those desires, even if we feel them."

A second probe of "Love In Action" was begun this week - this time by the state Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Department - because the group was offering counseling in drug and alcohol addiction. State officials say they can't do that without a license.

In an effort to head off the new examination of the camp, Love in Action executive director John Smid said the organization will change its Web site wording and direct clients to established, off-site drug and alcohol counseling services.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/07/071405exGay.htm

Jay2014 · Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 1243

this is sad. people like to quote statistics about homosexuals being more likely to be depressed, and they dont see how this kind of thing would cause that. this kid will probably be screwed up for the rest of his life now.

SavannahMan · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1307

or he might be cured...

StrangerWitCandy · Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 4759 Location: Fairfax, VA

if you want to know a bit more about the succes of the ex-gay movement, see this documentary.

One Nation Under God

StrangerWitCandy · Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 4759 Location: Fairfax, VA

SavannahMan wrote: or he might be cured...

rarely happens. and when it does it is very questionable... to say the least. much more likely to drive him to depression, drugs, suicide, etc. you know, the kind of things that you were arguing for why gays are unhealthy.

SavannahMan · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1307

www.narth.com/

StrangerWitCandy · Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 4759 Location: Fairfax, VA

SavannahMan wrote: www.narth.com/

i really feel the most sorry for those gay people.

Melchior · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 9284 Location: Palm Beach

PJ posted about this: http://politicalcrossfire.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30705

SavannahMan wrote: or he might be cured...

He will most likely suffer permanent psychological damage from this experience. From the document it seems like this camp is a fundamentalist prison for kids:

Refuge Program Rules

He won't be cured, you don't cure someone of their sexual orientation, you brainwash them. This poor kid will be motivated for suicide.

StrangerWitCandy · Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 4759 Location: Fairfax, VA

Melchior wrote: He won't be cured, you don't cure someone of their sexual orientation, you brainwash them. This poor kid will be motivated for suicide.

and then someone like SavannahMan will use it as a talking point to explain why gay people are "unhealthy". kind of ironic

SavannahMan · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1307

StrangerWitCandy wrote: SavannahMan wrote: www.narth.com/

i really feel the most sorry for those gay people.

I feel sorry for all gay people.

ToonArmyIsComing · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 5888 Location: Ontario

SavannahMan wrote: StrangerWitCandy wrote: SavannahMan wrote: www.narth.com/

i really feel the most sorry for those gay people.

I feel sorry for all gay people.

and why is that?

d357r0y3r · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 539

Would any of you admit that PERHAPS, just perhaps, someone has claimed they were gay before, when that was really just a phase, and they in fact were not gay at all, or not 100% gay?

Would it be possible to admit that some gay people have become straight, and not been screwed up in the head? Or would that be against your agenda? I have known people that once were gay, and now are straight - at least five of them. I know you will sit there and tell me that those people are still gay, and they are just denying their true self - but I don't believe it.

Jay2014 · Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 1243

d357r0y3r wrote: Would any of you admit that PERHAPS, just perhaps, someone has claimed they were gay before, when that was really just a phase, and they in fact were not gay at all, or not 100% gay?

Would it be possible to admit that some gay people have become straight, and not been screwed up in the head? Or would that be against your agenda? I have known people that once were gay, and now are straight - at least five of them. I know you will sit there and tell me that those people are still gay, and they are just denying their true self - but I don't believe it.

ill agree with that possibility. especially in adolescents, when i think most people are confused about one thing or another, but if they are in an identity crisis, a so called "phase" then they will figure it out on their own, and have no need to be "cured" and therefore, no possible good could come of this that wouldnt have come of its own.
assume a kid who was genuinly gay, and not in some "phase" were to be sent to one of these camps. nothing would come of it except guilt, confusion, and in all likelyhood, the destruction of any relationship he had with his parents.

d357r0y3r · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 539

I'll agree that the camps are a negative thing.

PrinceJunius · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 2:43 am Post subject:

What a horrible father...I would run away from home and live on the streets prostituting myself to survive if I had that father. That guy needs to be rescued before that camp harms him beyond repair. I should try and sneak in and get him out of there.

Shame on the news networks for not reporting this. Crap like this is allowed to happen because people continue to be kept in the dark about it.

IronBrigadeMike (IBM) · Joined: 08 May 2005 Posts: 6130 Location: VA

It is the same as sending a kid to a summer camp he doesn't want to go to. It is the parents' right to do it. My dad sent me to basketball camp last year when I didn't want to go, but he made me go anyways. Same deal. Not the kid's choice. Too bad for him, he will just have to get over it.

ToonArmyIsComing · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 5888 Location: Ontario

IronBrigadeMike (IBM) wrote: It is the same as sending a kid to a summer camp he doesn't want to go to. It is the parents' right to do it. My dad sent me to basketball camp last year when I didn't want to go, but he made me go anyways. Same deal. Not the kid's choice. Too bad for him, he will just have to get over it.

Oh come on, this is not a basketball camp! This camp uses psychological methods to make the kid hate himself for being gay! Basically it will make him think of himself as a demon that will burn in hell ... How can you compare a basketball camp to a religiously affiliated camp that tries to "cure" a gay kid!!! :shock:

connermt · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 1526 Location: CMH OHIO

ToonArmyIsComing wrote: Now, this is interesting! Parents taking their kids and putting them into a "rehab" program to "cure" their homosexuality. They treat homosexuality as if it is a drug addiction!!!

Quote: Father Of Gay Teen Sent To 'Ex-Gay' Camp Comes Forward

(Washington) The father of a gay teenager who wrote in a Web log that he was being sent against his will to a camp run by a group called “Love in Action International” to "cure" him of his homosexuality is defending his actions.

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network Joe Stark says he did the right thing when he sent his 16 year old son Zach to the camp near Memphis, Tennessee.

“We felt very good about Zach coming here because… to let him see for himself the destructive lifestyle, what he has to face in the future, and to give him some options that society doesn't give him today,” Stark told CBN. “Knowing that your son... statistics say that by the age of 30 he could either have AIDS or be dead.”

Stark also said that he did nothing wrong in sending the teen to the camp against his will.

"But until he turns 18 and he's an adult in the state of Tennessee, I'm responsible for him. And I’m going to see to it that he has all options available to him.”

Stark told CBN that when Zack is an adult he can make his own life choices.

The interview is the first proof offered that Zack actually exists. His story first came to light last month when a Web logger going only by the name of "Zach" said his parents were sending him to the religious organization to try to convert him to heterosexuality. (story)

The teen identified himself as a 16-year-old from Bartlett, Tenn. but did not give a last name, making it impossible to verify the story.

He said on the Web log that his parents "tell me that there is something psychologically wrong with me. ... I'm a big screwup to them, who isn't on the path God wants me to be on. So I'm sitting here in tears ... and I can't help it."

The log created fury among LGBT activists and led to an investigation by the state Department of Children's Services. A department investigator visited the camp and found there were no signs of abuse. (story) The Department did not say whether it found "Zach" and until Stark came forward it remained unclear if the teen ever existed.

John Smid, executive director of Love in Action, said the allegations were never described to him but he assumed they involved a complaint of psychological abuse.

The camp program, Smid said, "is to help kids to grow in their relationship with Christ."

"We understand people don't have control over what they feel, but we teach them they are able to control what they do," Smid said. "We don't have to act on those desires, even if we feel them."

A second probe of "Love In Action" was begun this week - this time by the state Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Department - because the group was offering counseling in drug and alcohol addiction. State officials say they can't do that without a license.

In an effort to head off the new examination of the camp, Love in Action executive director John Smid said the organization will change its Web site wording and direct clients to established, off-site drug and alcohol counseling services.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/07/071405exGay.htm

Wow - frightening. I wonder if this 'dad' tried to drill a hole in his son's skull when he had a headache too? Sounds a lot like 1700's mentality to me

connermt · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 1526 Location: CMH OHIO

And what's really sad is (assuming this story is true) that the 'counselers' at this camp are probably sexual predators (straight or gay - it doesn't matter it is still wrong) that are molesting the poor kids on top of it. I wonder how any educated, intelligent person can work for a brain washing camp & think it is actually doing the right thing....

Sage Orator · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 334

The facts are, that these organizations never to a follow up study on those same people. So, couples with the mere 33% success rate, 70% of those people go back to being homosexuals. The remaining were probably the people that act like homosexuals or have tried having sex with the same gender and have been "cured" by psychiatrists. These make up very few of the homosexual community but there have been studies showing that people will experiment but that does not mean they are homosexuals. These people are probably those "cured" along with those going against the way they are, as have many homosexuals such as the gay bishop.