Exodus executive director Alan Chambers expresses concern for former ex-gay ministry leader Michael Johnston — and for those who might have been infected in the course of Johnston’s unsafe sexual activities.
Chambers’ statement contains no generalizations or gratuitous remarks; his message is focused and on target.
I’d like to recommend an action Johnston could take that would show a sense of responsibility and compassion for his past sexual partners: He could offer to pay for their HIV testing and, if necessary, a portion of their treatment.
That course of action would set a positive, constructive, Christian example at a time when public health authorities cite rising levels of irresponsible behavior among young, single gay men who missed out on the education and scare campaigns of the 1980s.
Exodus says via Alan:
“The good news is that all who seek the Lord find Him. His mercies are new every morning. In God’s economy all who ask for forgiveness will receive it. I know that Michael Johnston has asked for forgiveness and that the Lord has granted it. Exodus is deeply saddened that a Christian brother has fallen, angered that he has possibly spread the HIV virus to others and yet absolutely commanded to extend grace and not to judge.
We offer our sincerest prayers that Michael is finding healing, that those with whom he had contact will be spared the horrors of infection. We continue to pray that millions will find freedom from homosexuality because God promises freedom despite the fact that humans often tarnish others perceptions of God”
Actually it is Exodus that ‘tarnishes’ our perceptions. Michael has long been a member, indeed an outfront member, of Exodus. It is in no small part the unwavering support Exodushas given Kerruso that has allowed this situation to progress.
Dale • 8/7/03; 12:06:44 AM
Actually, my understanding is that Kerusso was not affiliated — at least, not officially — with Exodus.
Natalie Davis • 8/7/03; 11:17:03 AM
Alan of Exodus says “Exodus is deeply saddened . . . . and yet absolutely commanded to extend grace and not to judge.” Not to judge? Not to judge!! The very existence of Exodus is a judgment that living as a homosexual is unacceptable.
Exodus is a disgrace. The religious fanatics who spawn outfits like Exodus are a disgrace. And Michael Johnston is a disgraceful hypocrite who may also be subject to criminal charges in Virginia if the allegations are true about him deliberately exposing others to HIV.
Richard Rush • 8/7/03; 3:46:39 PM
Michael, do you think anyone at Exodus reads XGW? I wonder…
Natalie Davis • 8/9/03; 9:03:14 PM
Randy Thomas was reading XGW for a while.
I don’t know whether the national office monitors XGW now, after I blasted the national office’s frightful nostalgia for 1953.
But I get the impression they monitor either XGW, Bridges Across the Divide, or GayChristian.net. Then they adapt the language of mutual tolerance and self-determination that is found in forums like these.
In the contexts of both the P.A.T.H. coalition and the Orlando antidiscrimination ordinance, Alan Chambers and Randy Thomas twisted that language, it in terms of public policy, so that it would apply only to ex-gays and the religious right. In her frequent letters to newspaper editors, Regina Griggs of PFOX (another P.A.T.H. founding member) does the same thing.
Mike A. • 8/9/03; 10:14:32 PM