The Christian Post has published an article about Warren Throckmorton’s concerns over the conference in Uganda.
… Dr. Warren Throckmorton, director of College Counseling and associate professor of Psychology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, finds it troubling that the American Christian leaders spoke at a conference that supports the criminalization of homosexuality and that none of them had reportedly publicly opposed the law. He noted that the people in charge of the conference called for stricter enforcement of laws against homosexuality.
“It is illegal to be homosexual in Uganda. There’s also a category of homosexuality (act) that has a potential for life imprisonment,” said Throckmorton to The Christian Post on Wednesday. “How often it is enforced is not clear.”
But news reports have communicated that homosexuals have been interrogated by police, beaten, and some have sought asylum outside the country, he said.
“So it is a very difficult place for those who are same-sex attracted to be open about it,” the sexuality researcher said.
But Exodus International President Alan Chambers could not have been more pleased with things:
In response, Exodus International said it applauds its board member Don Schmierer, who attended the Uganda conference, for his effort to convey an “alternative message that encompasses a compassionate, biblical view of homosexuality,” according to a statement by Exodus International president Alan Chambers to The Christian Post on Wednesday.
Exodus says neither Schmierer nor the ministry agrees or endorses Uganda’s criminalization of homosexuality law, imprisonment of homosexuals or compulsory therapy. Rather, the ministry says it “unequivocally denounces” the positions the government of Uganda has towards homosexuality.
There is much to analyze here and and we will do that soon, but we wanted to bring you the first and so far only statement from Exodus on the matter. Waiting over two weeks to respond, and then doing so to a query from the Christian Post, would seem to validate the idea that Exodus is now only responding to those who are generally friendly toward their cause.
Update:
In a post on his blog, Warren Throckmorton provides the entire statement from Alan Chambers to the Christian Post, such that it is, from which the above was extracted:
Unfortunately, Uganda as a country has demonstrated severe hostility towards homosexuals supporting criminalization of homosexual behavior and proposing compulsory therapy – positions that Exodus International unequivocally denounces. It is our sincere desire to offer an alternative message that encompasses a compassionate, biblical view of homosexuality not just here in America, but around the world. We applaud our board member’s attempt to convey these truths to a country in need.
Throckmorton also recognizes that no where does Chambers deal with the fact that Exodus participated in a conference with Richard Cohen cohort Celeb Brundidge. Despite past attempts to distance themselves from some of the more absurd elements of the ex-gay sector, Exodus has a great deal of trouble standing pat on any particular principles when the situation makes doing so inconvenient — or perhaps in this case, less profitable.
This response is unlikely to satisfy anyone who was not already so, and it shouldn’t satisfy anyone. If they continue, Exodus is liable to drag their entire network into one big human rights abuse charge.
Other coverage:
Pathetic. Really pathetic.
Hmmmm vellie intulesting. I’d like to see Exodus served such a summons. Is that possible due to the international status of this issue?