Truth Wins Out reports that the vice chairman of the Exodus board, Dennis Jernigan, may have inserted himself into a Uganda like situation in Jamaica, a place with a virulently anti-gay atmosphere. According to quotes in the Jamaican press, Jernigan claimed he was once gay but no more, and mentioned his marriage. He also disparaged President Obama as being “deceived” concerning homosexuality, referring to the President’s recent statement of support for marriage equality.
When asked about what I thought about President Obama’s recent remarks concerning homosexuality, I told them I love my president but I believe he is greatly deceived and risks undermining the very foundation of our nation … the family. Incidentally, the paper began publishing the interview the very next day on the first three pages … the headline being my quote concerning my belief that President Obama is deceived! I felt the grace of God in those interviews. I never felt fear at all … and feel I impacted an entire nation in the process.
In a discussion caught on video, Jernigan makes the absurd statement that “I would have no ministry if fathers simply did their job.” This plays into the classic NARTH habit of blaming the parents for gay offspring. Joseph Nicolosi has repeatedly said, “Fathers, if you don’t hug your sons, another man will.” Blaming the parents is a common ex-gay theme.
Again according to the Jamaican press, the US and Great Britain have been putting pressure on Jamaica to change their anti-sodomy laws — laws which make intimate relationships between two people of the same sex illegal. Jamaica is a dangerous place for gays and lesbians, and Jernigan’s pronouncements are irresponsible at best. There is no excuse for his not researching this situation and the players better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BeatdcSAXk#!
A similar incident in 2009 when Exodus board member Don Schmierer participated in an anti-homosexuality conference in Uganda caused ripples which still have not been resolved. It is clear from his own words (screenshot, post was removed) that Jernigan felt some sort of mandate for his actions and arrogantly stitched together divine approval and guidance with the narrative. That is a dangerous recipe in a powder keg like Jamaica. We find his actions irresponsible and indefensible, especially considering the previous incident in Uganda.
We await statements from both Jernigan and Exodus.
Update: A new statement has appeared on the Exodus website concerning the criminalization of homosexuality:
Exodus International believes that every human life, regardless of sexual orientation, is of inestimable and equal worth to God and that defending this principle is foundational in offering a Christian response to any issue. As such, Exodus International has not supported and will not support any legislation that deprives others of life and dignity based on their sexual orientation or the expression of such within the confines of a consensual adult relationship. We stand with all who are defending this basic, biblical tenet and remain committed to sharing the compassion, hope and life-giving grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
Finally, we stand with the LGBT community both in spirit, and when necessary, legally and physically, when violence rears it’s head in Uganda, Jamaica or anywhere else in the world.
Exodus president Alan Chambers added:
I am truly sorry for not having policies in place prior to now that would have averted another scandal of this nature, where Exodus is concerned, that impacts the dignity of people in these regions.
Another statement on Jamaica is supposedly forthcoming from Exodus.
My heart goes out to Alan Chambers. His apology for “not having policies in place prior to now” seems so very authentic.
When a business or country sends an ‘ambassador’ to another business/country, then the ambassador must represent the policies of the sender. For example, Paul the Apostle presents in Second Corinthians Chapter 5 (and Ephesians 6) that he (an apostle) is an ambassador of Christ. Therefore, Paul is under obligation to represent the policies of the King of all Kings. [And, based on Eph 4:11, I think this also extends to teachers, pastors, evangelists, prophets, and modern apostles].
In this case, it appears that Dennis J. did not know the Exodus policy that was being formulated, or in the absence of a published policy, that he simply spoke ‘out of turn’. Did this ‘do harm’?- yes, it appears to have created a ‘sword’ that can be used by the government to do much damage to fellow believers and non-believers. It appears again to be the error of an ambassador.
Hopefully, Exodus will resend Dennis J. specifically to Jamaica to ‘set the record straight’ in person. An ambassador that has erred can certainly apologize to the Jamaican government and news media, and seek to ‘sow in peace’ by allowing his organization’s policies to dominate his previous statements-made-in-error. Reconciliation is a major policy of all Christians that seek to follow Christ, not just Exodus, by the way.
Concerning calling the President deceived: “Do not speak evil of a ruler of the people” is taught in Acts 23. A private citizen may say what they wish (within the confines/constraints of their own conscience); a jury should speak according to the preponderance of the evidence or the extreme weight of the evidence; but an ambassador has no such luxury. An ambassador must speak the policies of the organization that appointed him and sent him. And, if an ambassador cannot abide by the policies of his/her sending organization, then they should politely resign in protest.
Exodus distance himself some of NARTH. Here is a statement about the cause of homosexuality, similar to NARTH at 1:28: “I would have no ministry, if fathers simply did their job. I would have no ministry. There would be no need for me.”
This seems so blatant and so deliberate that I am suspicious.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find that this is a slap at Alan. It smells a bit like, “so you think we aren’t going to endorse reparative therapy, huh? Well wait till I get to Jamaica and talk to the press!”
@Timothy Kincaid
I agree it sounds absurd, but from the information I got from Alan this morning, I don’t think that scenario fits. As amazing as it seems, this looks like a repeat of Uganda. There is nothing they can do about preventing it now, but how they deal with it and how fast will be interesting.
Jernigan does sound like vintage Exodus, doesn’t he? Maybe he didn’t get the memo. If he has any decency he will hand in his resignation. If Alan has any sense, he will accept it.
I am truly sorry for not having policies in place prior to now that would have averted another scandal of this nature, where Exodus is concerned, that impacts the dignity of people in these regions.
I mean, how could it have possibly occured to us to put some kind of policy in place after this same exact thing happened in Uganda? We at Exodus focus on Holiness, not Learning From Our Mistakes.
“…impacts the dignity of people in these regions.”
Oh, and their lives, too. I keep forgetting!
@Fg68at
Narth – headed by George Rekers who turns out is gay. this sort of thing by EXodus is like putting salad dressing on a shit salad.
the whole thing is another piece of trying to seem nice so they can make the gays look bad by comparison.
Its very well coordinated.
Tigers dont change their stripes.