tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147762892247866367.post2561525496373595195..comments2023-08-19T17:42:45.244+10:00Comments on 'Ex-gay' Australia - NZ - Asia - Pacific: EX-Gay Research: Analysing the Spitzer Study and It’s Relation to Science, Religion, Politics and CultureAnthony Venn-Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05860782135760598118noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147762892247866367.post-56010903487566549892012-05-22T14:08:48.594+10:002012-05-22T14:08:48.594+10:00So the Christians who use the information from Spi...So the Christians who use the information from Spitzer's study, and the material from his interview with James Dobson, do so in a way that totally lacks integrity... cherry-picking exactly what they want, as they do with verses from the Bible, and leaving out anything that might qualify or contradict their views. No matter what one's beliefs may be about homosexuality or gay marriage, presenting half-truths, lying by ommision, cherry picking verses instead of using the whole counsel of the Word of God is dishonest, lying, sinful, no way to win an argument, and not a worthy way to represent our Lord. It is not Christ-like to be so lacking in basic integrity. <br /><br />I respect everyone's right to hold their particular beliefs and point of view, on both sides of the debate, but that point of view MUST be informed, and presented with empathy, integrity and honesty. To twist the facts to support your platform... now THAT is an abomination!<br /><br />How distressing must it be for someone like Spitzer to have his work used in this way. I am a straight Christian. I didn't choose to be this way... I just am. I don't for a moment believe anyone chooses or can change their sexual orientation. Perhaps a VERY SMALL number of people, because of their very strong beliefs, are actually more content living a life of constant suppression of their orientation. But, unless they are open about it, whether they have chosen to be celibate, or with their straight partner's full knowledge and cooperation, is is incredibly deceitful to live a fascade... to the rest of the Body of Christ and humanity in general. <br /><br />And perhaps some of the "success" stories Spitzer encounterd belong to Christians who are genuinely bisexual... the choice is then simply to choose a straight partner and remain faithful to that partner for life. No different then to the choice faithful Christian heterosexual people make.<br /><br />No matter what one's personal beliefs I've never understood why Christians feel they have the right to impose those beliefs on the whole of society. Apparently I'm not the only Christian who thinks this... http://www.redletterchristians.org/it-is-time-for-the-american-christian-church-to-surrender-the-gay-marriage-fight-apologize-and-share-love/ <br /><br />AnneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com