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Influential Australian Christian Ministry now equipped to 'heal' Homosexuals

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HillsBen
Youth Coordinator
Joined in 2008
January 25, 2010, 15:30

Hey all,


After a conversation with a few friends in Melbourne who have attended ex-gay programs in the past they pointed out to me Roundabout Ministries…and Adrian Rowse.


I remember watching ‘The Fight’ by Roundabout Ministries when I was about 17. This resource was not an ex-gay resource but rather one helping a Christian go against pornography, casual sex and masturbation. It wasn’t a bad resource.


But Roundabout ministries are expanding and their latest focus….homosexuals.


Roundabout Ministries recently held a seminar and this included well know ex-gay figures Simon Riches and Sy Rogers.


Watch a clip from the seminar here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IiJ5H0rnyQ


Tell me your thoughts,


Ben



Ann Maree
 
Joined in 2008
January 25, 2010, 18:30

Hi Ben


I didn’t see ‘The Fight’ but must admit I get my hackles up when I hear of Christians tellling others not to do this and that, including masturbation. For young people especially who are told not to have sexual relations before marriage, and especially for those in our community who are not permitted to marry same sex partners, I think it’s unfair and unrealistic for them not to be able to engage in what is a normal and non harming activity. I recall a funny story of a visiting preacher whose topic was masturbation but because of his accent, I thought he was talking about “must-abation” and I thought: ‘Oh this is a good topic. Yes, we do use the words ‘must’ and ‘should’ a lot in our vocabulary and they’re so restrictive and could be used less’. The young people were looking about with confused expressions on their faces and so I happily translated this interpretation to them! I’m not sure they were convinced but I dismissed the idea that a preacher would talk about something so private as masturbation and nag about it from the pulpit. hehe You might say from this that God works in mysterious ways! hehe And on further reflection, I’m betting that those who heard his intended message probably went and masturbated even more thanks to the power of positive suggestion! 😀


As for Simon Riches, ‘sigh’. He seems like a really nice guy, interesting, sincere and engaging. I can see why he believes how his own past abuse might have helped shape his sexuality but sadly, as we know, what happens with one person can’t be generally applied to the rest of the gay population. He appeared so sad and I didn’t buy that he fully believed what he was saying. I mean, I think he was very sincere in wanting to believe. And what’s upsetting to me, is how many people will be influenced by him, wrongly believing that homosexuality is the result of poor paternal bonds or abuse.


Thanks for showing this anyway, Ben. It’s good to be aware of what’s out there.


Blessings,


Ann Maree



sman
 
Joined in 2009
January 26, 2010, 01:34

Hey Ben.


I have been hassled by this ministry and others to come find hope and life again with us. Many of these session happen on a monthly basis. I was looking to work for them at one stage until I realised what they have been doing for a long time. They have had a Youth ex-gay program running for a while now and they get numbers. These events they put on here in Melbourne are right round the corner and involve many of my close friends or should I say ex friends.


About 4 churches in my area are using Adrian and his ministry to influence there churches about us. One included is my Fathers which is a shame because my father knows better.


I get told regularly how great his ministry is for the church. However his number one message all along has been look at me I turned straight. Im with ya Ben, the Porn stuff he does is amazing however this message has caused many men I know to leave God altogether.


Its funny cause most Ex Gay programs arent doin all that well anymore but Roundabout is gaining numbers.



Ann Maree
 
Joined in 2008
January 26, 2010, 11:02

Hi sman


Good to hear from you again. Is Roundabout gaining numbers because it’s more subtle than other ex gay things I’ve seen, and also more well presented??


Ann Maree



sman
 
Joined in 2009
January 26, 2010, 23:28

Ann Maree, They are more subtle there message is about more than Homosexuality so they do Sexual healing so people go into them believing that is will heal them. They then go onto suggest you do their small group work on sexual healing for the homosexuality, porn, obsession with sex ect. So your lumped into a group of people who are ill and your taught that you also are too… All standard.


Adrian believes he has a heart for our community (BTW which he is one of us too) and so he uses that as his way of inviting you. Adrian also deals mainly with young gay people. Anyway I sound like I am slandering him. I think the man has a good heart just lost in the how to help part. His heart for Porn addiction is amazing and many of my friends are set free cause of doing it.


I hope I answered it. I havent had any emails in a while after sharing my story with them.



Ann Maree
 
Joined in 2008
January 27, 2010, 22:44

Hi sman


Yes thanks, you answered my question well. It didn’t sound like you were slandering Adrian at all – just giving a rounded response. I feel so sad about it, the thought of you and others being lumped together with those who had legitimate problems, and also sad for those running the programs, thinking they are being helpful and one day realising the damage caused. *sigh* 🙁


Ann Maree



DavidLG
Event Coordinator
Joined in 2009
January 27, 2010, 22:53

Yes he has a good heart and means well and the ifght nights about porn is commendable.


I have been involved with Roundabout for a year and have been inited t otheir first dinner for the year. They have monthly support dinners for young gay guys with u nwanted same sex attraction.


lol i wont be going anymore. My viewpoint has changed and im free fro m the stress of trying t odecrease my attraction.



Anthony Venn-Brown
 
Joined in 2005
January 30, 2010, 15:56

I’ve yet to meet someone in the ex-gay ministry world who doesn’t have a heart. Others might call them evil but those of us who know them personally know they are well intentioned….and genuinely care.


the thing I have the problem with is the outdated misinformation and half truth that is presented in materials like this……not only to gay and lesbian people but also those who love them.


E.G.



  1. Sexual abuse makes you gay – they dont mention this theory has been debunked and that many people who were sexually abused are not gay or lesbian

  2. If you dont have good parenting it makes you gay they dont mention this theory has been debunked and that most people have imperfect parenting and turn out straight.

  3. They don’t speak about the many thousands of gay men and lesbians who are people of faith and live moral lives.


For the last 10 years I’ve been working with people who have come out of ex-gay ministries…….the people they no longer see or have nothing to do with. If they could see into that world then they might be more aware of all the damage they have caused by propagating misinformation and half truths.



  • Do they know about the suicides?

  • Do they know about the mental health issues?

  • Do they know that by saying this is how gay people live that they only gave two alternatives to gay and lesbian christian young people. a.) Follow christ, reject your sexual orientation and be heterosexual. b.) give in to your same sex orientation and live the ‘gay lifestyle’ = lots of sex and drugs…….they have caused people to go down a path of self-destructive behaviours.

  • Do they know that the sense of failure and shame their unrealistic expectations contributed to guys being HIV+ today?


these tragedies were not cause by the persons homosexuality but by the impact of years of self-loathing, the internal dissonance of believing that God doesn’t love them as they are….and the sense of failure when they have tried for years to do the impossible….turn from gay to straight.



A very sobering thing is that ……if you believe the words of Jesus

Luke 17; 1-2 .“Hard trials and temptations are bound to come, but too bad for whoever brings them on! Better to wear a millstone necklace and take a swim in the deep blue sea than give even one of these dear little ones a hard time!……then someone will pay for this…..possibly no matter how well intentioned they were……they may say….. ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then He will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’


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