The hardline antigay Restored Hope Network, which advocates discredited gay-conversion therapies and pray-away-the-gay counseling, is taking its message that gay people are broken and damned to 20 cities in the first half of 2014.
The network’s affiliates will lobby conservative pastors, reinforce antigay parents, and gather “support” groups for people seeking to cure themselves of “sexual brokenness” and homosexual “addiction.” Meetings and conferences are scheduled in Fresno, Calif.; Springfield, Mo.; Brighton, Mich.; Dania Beach, Fla.; Miami, Fla.; Fischer, Texas; Reseda, Calif.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Fort Myers, Fla.; Austin, Texas; Sterling Heights, Mich.; O’Fallon, Ill.; San Antonio, Texas; Champaign, Ill.; Spokane, Wash.; Johnson City, N.Y.; Wichita, Kansas; Kansas City, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; and Temecula, Calif.
Conference objectives include stigmatization of same-sex couples, their parents, and their children; religious self-praise; condemnation of diverse faith perspectives; support for discriminatory laws; and ongoing silence regarding RHN leaders’ role (alleged by former leaders of Exodus International) in launching antigay pogroms in 2009 that have since swept Uganda, Nigeria, and Russia.
Also in 2014, RHN director Dan Hitz of Reconciliation Ministries will take the network’s U.S. antigay politics abroad in May to Hanoi and Manila, where RHN’s message of religious and sexual intolerance will be shared with the support of Robert Hartzell Ministries.
Not sure what they were aiming for with the peeing cross logo design… seems disrespectful.
I think it’s a broken “h” (for hope). The two parts of the “h” are the blue and green used in the logo text “Restored” “Hope” (or perhaps the green part of the “peeing cross”, heh-heh, is an “r”?).
I’ll agree it’s not a good logo.
Whew, they’re not coming back to my burg of Sacramento this time! …but down the Valley in Fresno and Bakersfield: the Teabagger parts of California, yep.
It’s been a while since you posted an actual article.
Restored Hope Network responds on Facebook:
“Have you have heard? Apparently, we are “hard line,” which I laugh at honestly, and that we “pray away the gay.” Well, these are two of the strategies of those who oppose people having the right to leave homosexuality of their own accord. And, of course, is meant to stigmatize and discount the amazing work of the true God who delivers His people from sin. God, through Jesus, doesn’t promise to make sin beautiful, rather He dynamically changes individuals as they surrender to Him, including healing hurts and wounds of their hearts and souls. Who would withhold such care? Who can stop Him from reaching through time and space to lift up those who repent and turn away from sin to the Living God?
>> “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30.
>> “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:11
“And, by the way, we have not introduced any legislation here in the US or abroad. Just saying… wild accusations without merit, but I wanted you to know in case you run across such things. As always, consider the source when evaluating what you hear. Do they have a bias? Regardless of this, if anyone has specific questions, please do feel free to reach out to us at info@restoredhopenetwork.org.”