8. EXODUS INTERNATIONAL VS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY

Exodus International Mission Statement

Mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality.

An alternate understanding to their mission statement would read: Exodus Internation exists to assemble the Church (the body of Christ) and make it ready for war duty (mobilizing) to give aid or service (to minister) of unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification (grace) and the body of real things, events, and facts (truth) to a world deeply entrenched and not easily changed or removed (impacted) by erotic activity with another of the same sex (homosexuality).

Using the term "mobilize" it is clear Exodus International sees homosexuality as something the Church must go to war with. Keep this in mind when you read their literature, their website, or talk to someone in or affiliated with the ex-gay movement. Homosexuality is the enemy in this war, and those who embrace homosexuality and accept their homosexuality are the enemy. Keep in mind that whenever there is war, it is necessary to dehumanize the enemy in order to convince the masses that the war being raged is justified.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

========================================
1. EXODUS INTERNATIONAL: We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the inspired Word Of God, the final authority for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction for right living.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY
1. Orthodox Christianity teaches that Divine Revelation is the public revelation of truths given to humanity by God the Word either directly or through His Apostles.

2. The Deposit of Faith, which contains God's Divine Revelation, was entrusted by Jesus Christ onto His Apostles and their successors (the Church).

3. The Deposit of Faith is the entire Tradition which is the whole teaching of truths taught by Christ and His Apostles.

4. Within the Tradition that is the Deposit of Faith there exists written and unwritten truths of Divine Revelation.

5. Most truths that have been written down are to be found in a collection of books known as Holy Scripture.

6. Holy Scripture is the word of God written by people under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and contained in the books of the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Scriptures which the Church has declared to be part of the accepted books of the Canon of Scripture.

7. God is the author of each individual book that the Church has declared to be part of the canon of Scripture. God is the author in that, He is not the stenographer but rather the one who tells what is to be written.

8. The Sacred Scriptures are everywhere true in the sense intended by the individual sacred writer.

9. Holy Scripture is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, and to instruct in justice, but the reading of it is not necessary for salvation nor is it the only or the direct rule of the Christian faith.

10. The direct rule of the Christian faith is the teaching of the living Church, and Divine Tradition is with Scripture the joint source of Divine Revelation.

11. The inspiration of the Scriptures is itself a dogma resting on the authority of the Church.

12. No original document of any of the books of the Sacred Scriptures exists.

13. Only the Latin Vulgate compiled and edited by St. Jerome has been given any formal status as being an official and authoritative Bible for any Christian community.

14. The Latin Vulgate substantially represents the original texts, and for Roman Catholicism, is free from all doctrinal error.

15. The Latin Vulgate was declared authentic by the Roman Catholic Church at the Council of Trent (1545 - 1563 AD).

16. The Old Testament of Sacred Scripture are books written before the coming of Jesus Christ. Though the word of God and inspired equally with the New Testament, it is not claimed by the Orthodox Churches that the moral teaching of the Old Testament is other than far below the sublimity of Christian ethics, or that they display or forecast clearly and unmistakably the dogmatic teaching of Christianity. And this from the nature of the case. For God provided the Old Testament in the first place for the instruction of the Jewish church which, precisely because Christ had not yet come, was not fit and able to receive the full content of God's revelation for the faith and conduct of humanity.
(from Catholic Dictionary 1945)

17. In Orthodox Christianity, there exists a hierarchy within the Sacred Scriptures which indicates which Scriptures are of more authority than others.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, is the core of the Sacred Scriptures because it contains the actual words and deeds of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Hierarchy of Scripture in the Orthodox Churches is thus:

1. The Four Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
2. The Epistles, the Acts of the Apostles (St. Luke), the Apocalypse (St. John)
3. The Old Testament

=====================================================================================

2. EXODUS INTERNATIONAL: We believe in one God, existing eternally in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY:
God does not exist eternally in Three Persons. The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the "consubstantial Trinity". The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire: "The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God." In the words of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), "Each of the persons is that supreme reality, viz., the divine substance, essence or nature."
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 253)
=====================================================================================

3. EXODUS INTERNATIONAL: We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, fully man and fully God, only begotten Son of the Father. he was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, buried and rose physically from the dead. He ascended to the right hand of the Father and will come again in power and glory.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY: For an organization to place so much emphasis on the Bible, it strikes me as strange that they would quote almost directly from "The Apostles' Creed." Wouldn't this be using The Apostles' Creed as part of "the final authority for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction for right living?"

NOTE: Missing from "The Apostles' Creed" quote is the final phrase, "from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead."

=====================================================================================

4. EXODUS INTERNATIONAL: We believe that faith alone in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord frees us from the mastery of sin, and its consequences of death and eternal damnation.

As with most evangelical faiths, this doctrine is full of holes. To begin with, it states "faith alone" which is contrary to the teachings of Christ. "Not every one that saith to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." (HGJC - St. Matthew 7:21)

"The mastery of sin." The assumption here is that we do not have free will and that we are slaves to sin since most evangelical bible religions make this claim. Slaves by nature do not have free will and are subject to their masters. If sin is their master, then they commit acts of sin as a consequence. Orthodox Christianity has always taught that we have free will and that "free will is that power of the soul to choose whether to act or not to act" (My Catholic Faith - Louis LaRavoire Morrow - 1958).

=====================================================================================

5. EXODUS INTERNATIONAL: He assumed the penalty of death Himself, and enables us to live out of His resurrected life unto eternity.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY: "Jesus Christ, God the Word, as Redeemer of the whole human race, offered His sufferings and death to God the Creator as a fitting sacrifice in satisfaction for the sins of humanity, and regained for them the right to be children of God and heirs of heaven" (My Catholic Faith - Louis LaRavoire Morrow - 1958). Personally I have a problem with Exodus International's statement in that they neglect to call it a "sacrifice" and that is an atonement for our sins.

=====================================================================================

6. EXODUS INTERNATIONAL: We believe the Holy Spirit carries out this work of renewal in our lives, empowering us to grow in loving union with our Heavenly Father and to walk in obedience to His will.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY: Their statement makes it very unclear that they believe the Holy Spirit to be God. God the Holy Spirit gives us grace which is life for our souls thereby enabling us to unite our souls to God. The dwelling of the Holy Spirit in our souls (often callede "sanctifying grace") makes us holy and pleasing to God, it makes us adopted children of God, and it makes us temples of the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit, through sanctifying grace, does help us "to walk in obedience" to God's will, but the Exodus statement lacks the understanding of "free will" which is what all people possess. It is not that God the Holy Spirit "takes over" rather it enables us to seek God's will.

=====================================================================================

7. EXODUS INTERNATIONAL: We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is formed of all those who know Him as their Savior and Lord, regardless of denominational beliefs.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY: The Church of Jesus Christ was formed by Jesus Christ himself and bestowed upon eleven men who followed him who are known as "apostles." It is not enough to know Jesus as one's "savior and lord" because, if anything, a person needs to know why he is their savior, what they are being saved from, and why he is their lord. There are certain essential doctrines of Christianity that MUST be understood and believed in order to truely be called a follower of Christ aka a "Christian." More importantly, any organization that wishes to consider itself a "Christian" organization must follow the examples and teachings of the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, God the Word.

=====================================================================================

Statement on Homosexuality

1. EXODUS is a Christian organization dedicated to equipping and uniting agencies and individuals to effectively communicate the message of freedom from homosexuality, as well as how to effectively convey support and understanding to individuals facing the reality of a homosexual loved one.

My own comments: I do not see Exodus as a "Christian" organization but rather a "Biblist" organization from the mere declaration made in their beliefs that the Bible is the sole authority.

"Freedom from homosexuality." This, using the words literary, means liberation from same sex attractions, yet in an article in the Los Angeles Times, the current president of Exodus International states otherwise.

With years of therapy, Chambers says, he has mostly conquered his own attraction to men; he’s a husband and a father, and he identifies as straight. But lately, he’s come to resent the term “ex-gay”: It’s too neat, implying a clean break with the past, when he still struggles at times with homosexual temptation. “By no means would we ever say change can be sudden or complete,” Chambers said. (Los Angeles Times, 2007)

=====================================================================================

2. EXODUS upholds heterosexuality as God's creative intent for humanity...

Then Exodus clearly negates Christ's words, "For there are eunuchs who were born so from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made so by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it." (HGJC - St. Matthew 19:12) God's intent, therefore, is not for everyone to have sex with the opposite sex even if they have all the right equipment in proper working order.

=====================================================================================

3. EXODUS subsequently views homosexual expression as outside of God's will.

By flat-lining the Bible so that everything from the first word in the first book of the Penteteuch to the last word in the book of the Apocalypse by St. John the Apostle has equal value, and by using erroneous translations of Sacred Scripture, EXODUS has concluded that sex between two people of the same sex is outside God's will.

For Orthodox Christianity, there is a heirarchy within the Sacred Scriptures. More importanly, the Old Testament laws are not binding to Christians, so the Levitical laws are not part of the New Covenant. St. Paul's epistle to the Romans condemns temple ceremonies that involved sex as a form of perverse worshipping rite in the pagan world not a loving monogomous relationship between two people of the same sex. His "Top 10 List of Sins" found in his letters to Timothy and to the Corinthians do not include sexual relations between a loving, monogomous same-sex couple but rather to those of loose morals and male prostitutes.

For Orthodox Christianity, what falls outside of God's will is: lying, hating oneself, making the Bible an idol of worship, being deceitful with false and innacurate information, deceiving people, making them hate themselves and turn from God, and destroying the lives of individuals and their families.

=====================================================================================

4. EXODUS cites homosexual tendencies as one of many disorders that beset fallen humanity.

Because they take the story of Adam and Eve literally, EXODUS concludes that God created only one man and one woman. Orthodox Christianity, which has no problem in embracing the theory of evolution, understands the story of Adam and Eve as a borrowed Babylonian myth that was incorporated by the editors of the Penteteuch to help explain to a Jewish audience the concept of heterosexual marriage.

Again EXODUS cites outside Biblical sources to support their claim that homosexuality was caused because of the Fall of Adam and Eve because no Scriptural passage makes such an assertion.
=====================================================================================

5. EXODUS claims: Choosing to resolve these tendencies through homosexual behavior, taking on a homosexual identity, and involvement in the homosexual lifestyle is considered destructive, as it distorts God's intent for the individual and is thus sinful.

MY (ALAN) OWN COMMENT: Note the negation of saying one IS a homosexual rather that one just ACTS and TAKES ON a homosexual identity. Again, when you are at war, you have to dehumanize your enemy. What EXODUS is saying to us is that, "You're not REALLY gay, you are just acting like it. If you just act like a heterosexual and do what a heterosexual does, God will love you!"

WHAT THEY SAY >>> WHAT THEY MEAN

HOMSEXUAL BEHAVIOR >>> ANAL SEX

HOMOSEXUAL IDENTITY >>> FLAMING QUEEN

HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE >>> ENDLESS SEX AND DRUGS


A common error made by people who declare war on another group of people is to generalize and demoralize their enemy. EXODUS is no exception. Instead of recognizing that there is an ocean size variety of gay lifestyles (each gay person could be considered their own lifestyle), EXODUS clumps everyone together much like public school history books clump all Native Americans into one chapter at the begining of the book.

Below I am making a list (and please add to it if you'd like) of the lifestyles found just in the United States of America. It is divided up into Relationships, Socializing, Personal Habits, and Miscelaneous. What EXODUS International fails to mention is that, not only are there a variety of lifestyles in the gay community, but that heterosexuals enjoy the same types of lifestyles as well.

RELATIONSHIPS - GAY LIFESTYLES (GL); HETEROSEXUAL LIFESTYLES (HL)

GL / HL 1. single, no partner, not dating, no sexual activity, no children

GL / HL 2. single, no partner, occasionally dating, no sexual activity, no children

GL / HL 3. single, no partner, frequent dating, no sexual activity, no children

GL / HL 4. single, no partner, not dating, no sexual activity, children

GL / HL 5. single, no partner, occasionally dating, no sexual activity, children

GL / HL 6. single, no partner, frequent dating, no sexual activity, children

GL / HL 7. single, no partner, not dating, sexual activity, no children

GL / HL 8. single, no partner, occasionally dating, sexual activity, no children

GL / HL 9. single, no partner, frequent dating, sexual activity, no children

GL / HL 10. single, no partner, not dating, sexual activity, children

GL / HL 11. single, no partner, occasionally dating, sexual activity, children

GL / HL 12. single, no partner, frequent dating, sexual activity, children

GL / HL 13. in a committed relationship with one partner, no sexual activity, no children

GL / HL 14. in a committed relationship with one partner, sexual activity, no children

GL / HL 15. in a committed relationship with one partner, sexual activity, children

GL / HL 16. Having any combination of 13 - 15 but having sexual encounters with other persons besides the one with whom they are committed to without that person's knowledge (otherwise known as "cheating.")

GL / HL 17. Having any combination of 13 - 15 but both partners in the committed relationship having sexual relations with other people with the knowledge and/or consent of the other partner.

PERSONAL HABITS - GAY LIFESTYLES (GL); HETEROSEXUAL LIFESTYLES (HL)
Combined the following with the list above.

GL / HL 1. non-smoker (tobacco)
GL / HL 2. smoker (tobacco)
GL / HL 3. non-alcoholic drinker
GL / HL 4. alcoholic drinker (occasional or social)
GL / HL 5. alcoholic
GL / HL 6. no use of illegal drugs
GL / HL 7. use of illegal drugs (occasional or social)
GL / HL 8. illegal drug addict
GL / HL 9. no use of prescription drugs
GL / HL 10. use of prescription drugs (used according to purpose)
GL / HL 11. prescription drug addict

SOCIAL HABITS - GAY LIFESTYLES (GL); HETEROSEXUAL LIFESTYLES (HL)
Combined the following with the lists above.

GL / HL 1. does not go to clubs and discoteques
GL / HL 2. occasional goes to clubs and discoteques
GL / HL 3. frequents clubs and discoteques
GL / HL 4. loner
GL / HL 5. semi-social
GL / HL 6. high profile socializer

PERSONAL PHYSICAL HABITS - GAY LIFESTYLES (GL); HETEROSEXUAL LIFESTYLES (HL)
Combined the following with the lists above.

GL / HL 1. physically fit, frequents a gym or has a defined exercise routine
GL / HL 2. somewhat physically fit, occassionally attends a gym or has a semi-defined exercise routine
GL / HL 3. physically unfit, rarely or never attends a gym and has no exercise routine

PERSONAL APPEARANCE HABITS - GAY LIFESTYLES (GL); HETEROSEXUAL LIFESTYLES (HL)
Combined the following with the lists above.

GL / HL 1. well-dressed in the latest fashions, always has a "glamorous" appearance
GL / HL 2. well dressed, always has a "neat" appearance
GL / HL 3. over-dressed, excessive
GL / HL 4. casual dressed but with a "neat" appearance
GL / HL 5. sloppily dressed
GL / HL 6. a combination of 1 -5 depending on occassion
GL / HL 7. dressing and having the appearance of the opposite sex (cross-dressing)

I am sure there is an even more extensive list, but what I want to point out is that it is IMPOSSIBLE to define the GAY CULTURE just as it is impossible to define THE AMERICAN CULTURE.





=====================================================================================


Instead, Christ offers a healing alternative to those with homosexual tendencies.

When did Jesus say, "Come, all you who are homosexuals, and I will give you a healing alternative"? Again, notice how they negate that a homosexual person really exists. When I read this all I could think about is someone from Exodus telling a penguin, "Don't use your wings to swim. Don't go in the water. Resist those urges to swim. We will teach you how to fly!"

=====================================================================================

EXODUS upholds redemption for the homosexual person as the process whereby sin's power is broken, and the individual is freed to know and experience true identity as discovered in Christ and His Church. That process entails the freedom to grow into heterosexuality.

A homosexual, like any person, is redeemed by God the Word through his sufferings and death on the cross. We broke from sin's power at our Baptism, and we have the freedom to know and experience true identity as discovered in Christ and His Church as faithful gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders. That process entails the freedom to grow in the love and light of Christ AS WE WERE CREATED AND AS WE ARE, not to conform to a Biblist institution that serves neither God nor humanity, but only its self interests.

=====================================================================================


Central to this redemption is EXODUS' desire to unite and equip the church to carry out this healing process.

Manipulation of the Scriptures, falsifying testimonies and scientific data is not equiping Christ's Church to do anything, and this "healing process" is in reality a process which destroys individuals, ruins lives, and is contrary to Christ's true message of love.

=====================================================================================

EXODUS bridges the gap between Christians who respond to homosexual men and women with ignorance and fear, and those who uphold homosexuality as a valid, Christ-centered lifestyle. To EXODUS, both extremes fail to convey to the homosexual the fullness of redemption found in Christ--He who embodies grace and truth, and invites us to partake of Him.

For EXODUS, that means GAY does not equal CHRISTIAN. EXODUS wishes to send a message to the Churches that follow Christ's teaching to follow their misguided understanding of Scripture instead of following the True Law of Love.

=====================================================================================

Healing
Exodus affirms reorientation of same sex attraction is possible. This is a process, which begins with motivation to, and self-determination to change based upon a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

"Healing by hurting" is what their message should say.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will assure us that we are loved by God AS WE HAVE BEEN CREATED, and that change is not to go from homosexual to heterosexual, but rather transforming into a follower of Christ who does the will of God by lovng, serving, and caring for others.

=====================================================================================

We facilitate resources for this process through our member ministries, other established networks and the Church. The key outcome of this is measured by a growing capacity to turn away from temptations, a reconciling of ones identity with Jesus Christ, being transformed into His image. This enables growth towards Godly heterosexuality. Exodus recognizes that a lifelong and healthy marriage as well as a Godly single life are good indicators of this transformation.

Success = married to the opposite sex or celibacy

There seems to be an idolatry-like fascination and adoration of the "traditonal" American wedding.

Again, it's like telling the penguin, "Either fly or stay out of the water!"

=====================================================================================

Exodus International believes that homosexuality is not God's intent for human sexuality.

By whose authority do they make this claim?

=====================================================================================

As such, we believe it is a multi-causal, developmental disorder that can be overcome with the help of professional counselors and that an individual can experience transformation through the healing power of Jesus Christ.

multi-causal = caused by a large number of things
developmental = slowly formulated
disorder = a nicer way of saying "abnormal"

But wouldn't the healing power of Jesus Christ be sufficient if this transformation were possible? Christ is God afterall. Why are "professional counselors" needed? Are they not in the scientific realm not the religious realm? Does EXODUS not trust God if this change is truely possible?

=====================================================================================

Same-Sex Marriage
Exodus International believes that the health of individuals, children and our culture is intimately linked to the well being of natural marriage and its biblical intention - a sacred, legal, and social union ordained by God to be a life-long, sexually exclusive relationship between one man and one woman.

But the Bible is full of more than one man and one woman relationships and marriages. If we are to use the Bible as our only guide, then is it ok to marry a whore? Osea (Hosea) did at God's command. Can a man have sex with his wife's maid like Abraham did with Sarah's servant? Can men have concubines?

=====================================================================================

Reparative Therapy
Exodus International believes that reparative therapy - a holistic, counseling approach to addressing unwanted same-sex attraction - can be a beneficial tool.

It can also be a detrimental tool that harms the individual, their families, and ultimately their lives.

=====================================================================================

Exodus International is not a clinical facility and does not conduct clinical treatment of any kind. Our goal is to provide resources, spiritual mentorship and support to those wanting to reconcile their faith-based beliefs with their sexual behavior.

In other words, don't blame us if this doesn't work.

=====================================================================================

Reparative therapy has been beneficial to many within our network. Exodus provides referrals to independent professionals who provide this resource. Exodus is a worldwide network of former homosexuals and the largest evangelical organization dealing with homosexuality in the world today.

Wrong! MCC is the largest evangelical organization dealing with homosexuality in the world today. EXODUS International is the largest evangelical organization trying to eradicate homosexuality by destroying peoples lives.

=====================================================================================

Same-Sex Parenting & Adoption
Exodus International believes that the biblical design for the family and the best environment for raising a biological or adoptive child is one in which the child's mother and father are married to one another and are present in the home. While legitimate and difficult circumstances often prevent this, the intentional deprivation of a mother or father through same-sex parenting and adoption, is not in the best interest of children. As such, social policy and adoption law should be governed by a desire to ensure the health and well being of future generations.

How the paired partners raise and care for their children should be the issue, not the gender of the partners. If there is a male and female (father and mother) for the children, yet the father neglects to care for the children, or the mother is an uncaring mother, does it matter that one has a penis and one a vagina? Is that the ultimate requirement for proper parenting? Should it not be that parents, regardless of their gender, care for their children's spiritual, physical, and mental needs?

=====================================================================================

Richard Cohen
Exodus International does not endorse the work of Richard Cohen or the methods utilized in his practice.

But it used to!

=====================================================================================

Thought Crimes Laws*
Exodus International believes that every human being is of equal value and worthy of the same treatment under the law. While Exodus International strongly opposes violent crimes and acts of aggression against any individual or group of individuals, thought crimes laws offer more legal protection to certain citizens based on their sexual preference alone. In addition, these laws pave the way to prosecute biblical beliefs about homosexuality, instead of prosecuting illegal actions that harm others.

* often called "hate crimes" laws by proponents

Because Exodus believes that you can THINK hate and PREACH hate and ENTICE people to hate. A Hate Crime Bill would hinder that.

=====================================================================================

Exodus Position Statement on Bullying
Exodus International affirms that gay-identified individuals and those who struggle with same-sex attraction are persons for whom Jesus Christ died and loves equally. Therefore, we strongly oppose bullying, name calling and acts of aggression against any individual or group of individuals for any reason. These actions have no place in our society and we must, instead, affirm behavior that validates the personal worth and dignity God bestows upon every human being.

In addition, every individual deserves equal protection and every offender should receive equal punishment. We call upon other organizations concerned with preserving the essential equality of all individuals to exhibit impartiality in their policies, rather than singling out some for special treatment.

In America, we do NOT believe in equal punishment of the law because each incident is different, each case is different. Intention to murder or do harm to someone is different from accidentally murdering or doing harm to them.

Fundamentalist Biblists don't want a Hate Crimes Bill to pass because they would no longer be able to preach HATE. Their message of HATE would not longer be passed down to kids in school who hear the message of HATE in their churches and their homes, and act upon that hate by bullying and tormenting their fellow classmates. So, for EXODUS to say they are against bullying is hypocritical because they are an organization that endorses bullying on an international scale.