by Jason Stotts
I never thought I’d see the day when a christian group as ignorant and bigoted as Exodus International would close its doors. But, happily, today is that day:
The leader of a large Christian ministry that claims to offer a “cure” for homosexuality apologized to the LGBT community and announced on Wednesday that the organization is shutting down.
Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International, announced the decision on the group’s website and issued a formal apology, saying he was “profoundly sorry” for the pain some within the organization caused.
The group was founded in 1976 and now has more than 200 branches, churches and counselors, according to NBC News. Those within the group claimed people could overcome homosexuality through prayer and therapy.
But psychiatric and medical groups have said that the movement, also known as reparative therapy, is unfounded in science and can be harmful, NBC reported. The American Psychiatric Association said 15 years ago that the therapy could cause depression, anxiety and self-depressive behavior in patients. (US News)
Ideas have consequences and bad ideas like christianity ruin lives, while good ideas make the world better. It’s this kind of thing that should be motivation for us to continue the good fight and to realize that real change is possible in our lifetimes if we work hard enough.