Previous discussion of this ex-gay ministry.
From: “Matthew C. Manning”
Reply-To: newsletter@matthewcmanning.com
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2003 04:06:12 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: MatthewCManning.com FREE VIDEO COUPON
Free Video Coupon
Would you like to receive Pastor Matthew C. Manning’s video documentary for FREE?
Dear ____,
We have run into a major conflict that hinders the completion of the video documentary “Truth Behind the Lie”, which presents Pastor Matthew’s incredible testimony of Jesus Christ completely delivering him from homosexuality and totally healing him of H.I.V./A.I.D.S. (including verified medical documentation) via interviews and realistic drama reenactments. We need to raise $2,000 to repair and replace our video editing equipment and computer, which was purposely targeted and attacked with Trojan viruses.
Everyone who gives a $20.00 donation or more – along with complete mailing information – will receive the finished video documentary on DVD free of charge in early 2004 (which will sell for around $25.00 + $5.00 Shipping).
Thank you for your assistance and may God bless you,
Christopher Shawn Shaw
Updated February 9, 2004:
Money-raising appeals such as this do not reflect particularly well on Mr. Manning’s ministry. Blaming predictable crises such as computer failure on conspiratorial forces is more often a tactic used by desperate political activists, not reputable organizations. XGW encourages Manning to rethink his approach.
There is ample evidence in the news of AIDS-related fraud, and doctors universally agree AIDS/HIV has no known cure.
No doubt Manning is sincere in his belief that he was cured of AIDS. I believe he can do better for a world of HIV-infected individuals than merely marketing his story on CBN. He could, for example, testify under oath before the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
Manning’s CBN story and his web site oversimplify the tricky science of seroconversion and detection, while omitting key witnesses and information:
- observations of Manning’s military physicians
- Manning’s AIDS diagnosis (not just HIV exposure)
- medically adequate proof that Manning no longer shows evidence of the disease — for example, a series of negative Western Blot tests.
Manning declined to provide this simple information both to XGW and to an XGW reader. Instead, the ministry advised us to fly to its offices in California to view a few pages of documentation that could easily be posted online.
When we have criticized Manning for making proof of his cure so difficult to access, Manning has resorted to legal threats such as that posted below, and repeated here.
Manning has a right to say (or not say) what he wants, within reasonable limits. And we have the right to express disagreement. That’s what freedom of religion and freedom of speech are all about.
XGW readers are, of course, free to form their own opinions about us, about Manning’s ministry, about the power of prayer, and about effective treatments for HIV/AIDS.
If Manning ever opts to provide medical evidence of his cure without requiring a trip to California or a purchase of video and PowerPoint presentations, XGW will be happy to report Manning’s cooperation.
Miracles most certainly do happen, but legal threats and flawed fund-raising appeals give cause for some skepticism in Mr. Manning’s case.
Greetings,
This is the Legal Department for LightHouse World Evangelism, Inc. located in Rohnert Park, CA.
Our ministry has been informed that you have written statements slandering Pastor Matthew C. Manning and his documented miracle of being healed of HIV/AIDS.
No one from your organization has contacted our ministry to inquire about medical proof of Pastor Manning’s health. If you would have you would find more than enough medical proof of this miracle healing.
Furthermore, Pastor Manning does not accept monies when speaking about his healing. The policy of LHWE is that Pastor Manning never asks for money for a speaking event. As for money donated to LHWE (a tax exempt 501-C-3) non –profit organization, we do accept voluntary giving.
Currently, Pastor Matthew C. Manning is completing a video documentary that will address the medical proof issue as well as interviews with persons who knew Pastor Manning when he had HIV/AIDS, as well as persons who know him now as a married man with a 16 month old son and as currently HIV Negative. Those who have given money to see this work accomplished have not been scammed, and will receive a copy of the documentary once completed.
On behalf of the Legal Department of LightHouse World Evangelism, Inc. we herby demand a re-print of your article making the necessary corrections, or further legal actions against you for slander, defamation of character, and your statements as facts that are completely un-true with no evidence, and certainly no investigation will be taken.
In regards to an e-mail posted on your web site referring to Pat Robertson having not reported on any such miracle, please be advised your editor again made no investigation to find out whether that statement was true or not. Please view the following transcript and again make a correction on your web site:
https://www.cbn.com/living/amazingstories/healing_matthew_manning.asp
We look forward to seeing a re-print on your web site within 30 days from the date this E-mail was sent.
Legal Department
LHWE
PO Box 2508
Rohnert Park, CA 94927
(707) 585-7600
http://www.LHWE.com