Myth #1: Exodus uses hate speech.
Exodus presents a redemptive, biblical worldview on sexuality, which communicates a message of love and acceptance to those that are struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions.
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Exodus helps people to live their whole life, including their sexuality, in congruence with their faith.
The mission of Exodus, which is front and center on our website, is “Mobilizing the Body of Christ to Minister Grace and Truth to a World impacted by Homosexuality.” As followers of Christ, we are committed to emulating Him in everything. Our primary focus is encouraging and educating the global church NOT ONLY to lovingly communicate the truth of scripture, but also to conduct themselves in ways that would be consistent with the ways of Christ, namely showing love and compassion.
One example, which has been completely neglected by those reporting on the application, is an entire section devoted to Exodus’ adamant opposition to bullying. In alignment with biblical teaching, readers are encouraged to support and befriend anyone being mistreated. Here is a segment of the language used, “Exodus International affirms that gay-identified individuals and those who struggle with same-sex attraction are persons for whom Jesus Christ died and loves equally. Therefore, we strongly oppose bullying, name calling and acts of aggression against any individual or group of individuals for any reason. These actions have no place in our society and we must, instead affirm behavior that validates the personal worth and dignity God bestows upon every human being.” That doesn’t sound like hate to me.
Myth #2: Exodus “cures” people.
Exodus does not claim to cure anyone. That is not within our ability and certainly beyond the ability of our iPhone application, which simply provided mobile access to information available on our website. As complex human beings, sexual attractions develop for many known and unknown reasons and no one chooses those, but as sexual beings, we all make decisions about how to express ourselves. For those who consider the Bible to be life-giving truth, homosexual attractions and the desire to act on them are at odds with the desire to live a life that reflects the Christian faith and often results in moral tension.
Exodus acknowledges that pursuing a relationship with God over these attractions won’t always make the feelings go away. They may stay the same, lessen or possibly shift towards the opposite sex. That’s not the point. The point is to pursue a life beyond attractions, feelings and societal labels that is guided and defined by Jesus Christ and the truth of Scripture. And for the record, living with conflicted desires is not the same as living a life dominated by them. Exodus doesn’t believe there is a “cure” for homosexuality, adultery, arrogance, gossip or any other sin. There is, however, Jesus who paid the price for it all when He died on the cross. Then there is the daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, decision to live a life congruent with His teaching.
Our desire was simply to provide information to individuals exploring and looking for answers that are consistent with their own beliefs. Apple already provides hundreds of apps specific to the GLBT community and has made the Gay Christian Network’s podcasts available on its iTunes store. Our hope was to see equality represented on the same platform.
Check out the website of Exodus International
