Wait… What just happened to the separation of church and state?
Let’s unwrap this a bit further. I’ve been experiencing an awakening, recognizing the “dumbing down” which has been escalating among LGBT+ activists and those who subscribe to the dichotomy between truth and myth.
I flew back to Pennsylvania to meet with Andrew Rodriguez, for straight up answers and definitions. The term “Conversion therapy” is misleading. Definitions are all over the map. Many are constructed out of “feelings” and contempt. If someone disagrees with the LGBT+ advocate, they’re simply cancelled.
Here’s the truth. In 1973, “homosexuality” was removed from the DSM, (Diagnostic, Statistical Manual) of the APA, (American Psychiatric Association) depathologizing homosexuality. Up until this time, secular therapists administered aversive techniques such as electroshock therapy, immersion in ice baths, needle probing, and other controversial techniques aimed at reversing the effects and desires of homosexuality.
Up until 1980, clients who were egodystonic, (experiencing homosexuality, yet uncomfortable with such feelings and behaviors, were allowed to opt for aversive, therapeutic modalities. After 1980, very few clinicians continued to treat clients with ego-dystonic homosexuality for a while after it was removed), only a brave remnant of therapists continued to treat homosexuality, and that was primarily those who agreed with the developmental model of the causes of SSA, and these therapists are not behaviorists, so they would never think to use aversion techniques. The APA Task Force Report acknowledges that modern forms of SOCE (Sexual Orientation Change Efforts) are not aversive.
LGBT+ activists, and those who ally with them are not defining "Conversion Therapy" as anything that suggests that someone live differently than how they "feel." That includes the use of prayer for someone identifying as LGBT+ who is deciding to live in agreement with a scriptural model.
Our human rights have provided us with the power to choose. You and I should be allowed to seek out advice/counsel that helps us aspire to our understanding of living wholesome lives, particularly as it relates to our rights under religious freedom and a belief in the authority of Scripture.
Joe Dallas, having previously lived as a gay man, came to surrender his sexuality to Christ. As a new man in Christ, he left LGBT+ culture, and eventually became president of Exodus International, an organization whose goals were to bring Christ, compassion, repentance, and transformation, to those convicted about living their lives for Jesus. His new life also brought him a wife. He’s been married for 37 years and has two male children. He’s authored many books. His recent being, “Christians In A Cancel Culture.”
In his five-part series, “Conversion Therapy: ANSWERING THE ARGUMENTS,” on YouTube, he says he is often asked, “Did you go straight?” Joe says, “No, I came to Jesus.”
There is a growing escalation among Ex-gays, recognizing the tireless declarations and myths being advanced by LGBT+ activists, resulting in new laws seeking to silence Christians.
Sam Brinton is the Vice President of Advocacy & government affairs at The Trevor Project.
He describes himself as “gender fluid.” He says he is a survivor of “Conversion Therapy,” and is founder of the 50 Bills 50 States Campaign to end the dangerous and discredited practice of “Conversion Therapy,” first in the United States and then around the globe.
He has had significant exposure to society at large through multiple, notable news sources such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Huffington Post, and many more.
The NCLR, (National Center for Lesbian Rights) and The Trevor Project, are organizations who claim they are against sexualized violence toward women. And yet their own public representative, Sam Brinton, actually glorifies sexualized violence towards women. During one of his sex/kink demonstrations at Rensselaer Polytechnic institute, Brinton got a female volunteer from the audience who had never met him, to demonstrate his kink techniques. She documented her experience in the student newspaper. Brinton hit her with a carbon fiber rod, so hard that it left a welt that lasted for days. In his presentation, he encouraged students to practice sexualized violence on one another. There are many violence survivors that reenact childhood trauma to deal with it. Regardless of the perspective, God doesn’t sanction any violence. It only inflicts deeper damage. How did Brinton know he wasn’t re-inflicting pain on a sexual abuse survivor?
This is an LGBT activist campaigning for criminalizing “Conversion and Reparative” therapy, which he classifies as painful and harmful. Yet in his continued state of brokenness, he goes about inflicting pain on others for the purposes of self-pleasure and gratification.
Brinton openly admits going after churches with his “Conversion Therapy” ban tactics. However, primarily, he’s targeting mental health professionals. You can’t take a license away from someone who doesn’t have one. He says, “I can’t find every little pastor, but I can make it something that is culturally unacceptable. There is a focus on young people where he shares the “stories” of his experience he says resulted in harm. There’s so-called sympathy for young people. So he’s invented stories, gaining the support and sympathy in hopes of adults supporting the therapy bans.
When anything is posted on YouTube that suggests redemption or changing how a person lives for the sake of Jesus Christ, YouTube automatically flags the post with a warning from “The Trevor Project” about the dangers and harm of “Conversion” therapy.
Susan Constantine, a deception specialist from The Human Behavior Lab, who evaluates truthfulness, studied videos of Brinton with her colleagues. She makes her observations from a “three prong test.” Statements of the subject, voice stress analyzation and behavioral observations. All Brinton’s abusive claims regarding “Conversion Therapy” proved to be deceptive. It’s concerning how there is so much advancement in legislative measures based on false claims.
What About Adventism?
LGBT activism is alive and well in Adventism. They’re emerging from Adventist universities. I’m aware of four who have, in recent years, graduated from Andrews University. Three of them from the seminary, two with MDIVs. One received public endorsement as an “LGBT Adventist pastor, from a staff member of Andrews Campus and Student Life. Another, was recently applauded for her new LGBT+ podcast, “Imago Gie,” mocking the “Imago Dei,” which means, in the image of God.
Recently, in a public video on Facebook, two of the graduates scoffed at a colleague of mine. As he shared about being drawn to “holiness,” rather than to heterosexuality, the seminary graduates laughed and mocked “holiness,” saying “What is that?” My heart fell as I pondered why they would have gone into ministry. Their primary focus seems to be for the opposite of holiness, immersed in LGBT activism, detouring precious human lives from the trusted authority and the sovereignty of God.
Students involved with gay/straight alliances across multiple Adventist universities are taking issue with Scripture, seeking to reinterpret God’s inspired pen. Of daunting concern, are the numbers of faculty members and administration that support them, promoting an identity in sexuality, rather than orienting them to Christ, His love, truth, and restorative counsel.
I’ve been speaking out for twelve years about the common ground of ALL who fall short of the glory of God. It’s not an LGBT+ exclusive message. It’s an inclusive message that many have come to me and shared their commonality as a sinner struggling with sin problems. There’s plenty of room for all who would gather at the cross.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I urge you to become active, not dormant in Christ Jesus. Become informed and aware of the lack of authoritative, biblical guidance on our campuses. I could share numerous incidents of grave concern, as I am widely traveled and acutely aware of the powerful escalation of LGBT+ rights on our campuses and in our churches today.
Christ holds each of us accountable on His day of judgement. Truly, life has to be far more valuable than what this sin torn world offers in the way of self-gratification. I’ve had to remind myself of that whenever I’ve experienced failure. Let’s keep looking to Jesus who is the Savior from our sins.
It’s Coming
Take note of our neighbor to the north, who in January passed the C-4 bill that criminalizes anyone who prays for someone who is LGBT, who seeks to leave the culture for Jesus. Punishable by up to five years in prison. New Zealand just passed a similar bill. And in Victoria, Australia, the law voted through a year ago, is now in effect. Enforcement of the law plans to be visibly stringent.
The broad scope of “perceived” “Conversion Therapies” is not limited to those identifying as LGBT+. A single guy who might suffer from porn addiction would fall under this guise of “Conversion Therapy” if he were to seek professional counsel. A woman who is married who sees herself at risk of committing adultery would also be excluded from the freedom to seek professional or religious help. Australia says that a preacher could preach about the biblical definition of marriage to a congregation. However, there is no guideline as where it becomes seen as a “group support setting,” where arrests could be made. Gay couples who seek to be monogamous, would be forbidden to receive counsel to remain as such.
The law stipulates that an LGBT+ person must be allowed to live with authenticity, and “pride.” More details pursuant to the “Conversion Therapy” law can be viewed here.
Today, the APA, (American Psychiatric Association) offers no counsel for those identifying as LGBT+. And upwards of fifty percent of those in generation “Z,” identify as LGBT+, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Multiple factors come into focus in considering LGBT+ ideations. Of important consideration, is the fact that there is no genetic difference between those who identify as heterosexual, or those who identify as LGBT+. LGBT+ individuals operate from a different moral view than that outlined in Scripture.
We are losing our religion with LGBT+ indoctrination. Indoctrination claims to be like God. Loving, caring, compassionate, etc. However, they cannot offer the goodness of God.
The fall of Lucifer and his angels brought calamity, weakness, and a propensity to sin. From God’s trusted Word, John compels us to be “born again.” The worldview of living as, and identifying as LGBT+, is in distinct contrast with God.
Jesus offers nourishment to our souls. While there is slavery in sin, there is freedom in Christ. His laws set us free.
Over the past several months, I have been convicted to do my personal investigation, seeking truth, and knowledge pertaining to the “Conversion Therapy” claims, protests, and laws.
My research took me to Andrew Rodriguez – Christian Mental Health Counselor, Anne Paulk – Restored Hope Network, Jason Thompson and Patrick Silvas – Portland Fellowship, Ken Williams and Elizabeth Woning – Changed, Joe Dallas, Linda Seiler – National Chi Alpha Missionary.
I was touched today as I spoke with Elizabeth Woning. She said, “Come see what God will do.”
“But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves up to be controlled by the satanic agencies. They have repented of their sins and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin and also their penitence, declares: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands. They may have imperfections of character; they may have failed in their endeavors; but they have repented, and I have forgiven and accepted them.” P&K, page 589
Salvation is confirmed in Jesus.
I praise God, that through a continual trust and belief in Him, the Shepherd rescues the once lost, black sheep.
Wayne Blakely is the Director of Know His Love Ministries. www.knowhislove.org. After living in the LGBT+ culture for nearly forty years, he surrendered to Jesus ten years ago and today seeks humility in Jesus, sharing His “love in truth” message.
On Thursday, March 24th at 6:00 PM Pacific time and 8:00 PM Central, I’ll be the guest on 3ABN’s Thursday Night Live program. The topic is “Conversion and Reparative” therapy. During the second hour, you’re invited to call in with questions.