(no subject)
About the Billboards The following is in regards to the billboards we discussed in TOK.
I got it from someone who got it from the UCC church (redundant I know).
Background Information
In the St. Louis area, billboards and advertisements are being to appear
regarding the upcoming "Love Won Out" conference. This conference is presented
by Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family organization. The following statement
from their promotional website (www.lovewonout.com) describes the purpose of the
conference:
"Focus on the Family is promoting the truth that homosexuality is preventable
and treatable - a message routinely silenced today. ... But mostly, you'll be
reminded of the power of God's love and His desire to transform the life of a
struggling homosexual to find freedom in Jesus Christ. Come and witness the type
of love that draws men and women affected by homosexuality into the arms of
their Creator."
The premise that homosexuality is based in illness or immorality that therefore,
can be healed or transformed, is a view that is not supported by the United
Church of Christ (XVII General Synod), the American Psychiatric Association
(1973), or the American Psychological Association (1973), and the
inappropriateness of "conversion therapy."
We do not challenged this group's inherent right to gather or to provide
information for those interested. However, we do believe that it is based in
potentially harmful misinformation and bias, and is contrary to our commitment
to "love our neighbor as ourselves."
We disagree with "Focus on the Family's" implication that this is the proper
stance for the faith-based & Christian communities, and as such, we believe it
is very important for the religious community to have a presence that stands in
love and support of God's diverse and miraculous creations.
Planned Response
On February 15 at 6:30 PM at Immanuel Congregational Church, UCC; 3460 Jamieson
Ave & Marquette in STL, MO there will be an organizational meeting for planning
a response to the "LOVE WON OUT" conference. A number groups and faith
community leaders will be coming, and we hope for many more. We believe it is
important that the faith community have a presence with respect to this
conference.
We know that there will only be ten days from the planning session to the
response date (Sat 2/25), so getting this out to as many people and
organizations is very important. Please post the meeting on as many list-serves
as possible.
For more information please contact:
Cinnomin Brothers at Cinnominbrothers@yahoo.com
or Rob Morgan at 314-353-5951 or Robbieblue11@MSN.com
MSNBC article:
Alternative view says homosexuals can change
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8379954/from/ET/
Fear and Loathing at the Ex-Gay Conference
http://www.whosoever.org/v6i3/grizzle.html
Soulforce presents: A False Focus on My Family (downloadable pdf)
http://www.soulforce.org/article/false-focus-family
Love Welcomes All : How to create a community-based conference (downloadable pdf)
www.soulforce.org/pdf/lovewelcomesall.pdf
A Report from "Love Won Out" by the NGLTF
www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/lovewonout.pdf
MAP TO 2/15 MEETING LOCATION:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=3460%20Jamieson%20Ave&city=Saint%20Louis&state=MO&zipcode=63139%2d2150&country=US&title=%3cb%3e3460%20Jamieson%20Ave%3c%2fb%3e%3cbr%20%2f%3e%20Saint%20Louis%2c%20MO%2063139%2d2150%2c%20%20US&cid=lfmaplink2&name=
I got it from someone who got it from the UCC church (redundant I know).
Background Information
In the St. Louis area, billboards and advertisements are being to appear
regarding the upcoming "Love Won Out" conference. This conference is presented
by Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family organization. The following statement
from their promotional website (www.lovewonout.com) describes the purpose of the
conference:
"Focus on the Family is promoting the truth that homosexuality is preventable
and treatable - a message routinely silenced today. ... But mostly, you'll be
reminded of the power of God's love and His desire to transform the life of a
struggling homosexual to find freedom in Jesus Christ. Come and witness the type
of love that draws men and women affected by homosexuality into the arms of
their Creator."
The premise that homosexuality is based in illness or immorality that therefore,
can be healed or transformed, is a view that is not supported by the United
Church of Christ (XVII General Synod), the American Psychiatric Association
(1973), or the American Psychological Association (1973), and the
inappropriateness of "conversion therapy."
We do not challenged this group's inherent right to gather or to provide
information for those interested. However, we do believe that it is based in
potentially harmful misinformation and bias, and is contrary to our commitment
to "love our neighbor as ourselves."
We disagree with "Focus on the Family's" implication that this is the proper
stance for the faith-based & Christian communities, and as such, we believe it
is very important for the religious community to have a presence that stands in
love and support of God's diverse and miraculous creations.
Planned Response
On February 15 at 6:30 PM at Immanuel Congregational Church, UCC; 3460 Jamieson
Ave & Marquette in STL, MO there will be an organizational meeting for planning
a response to the "LOVE WON OUT" conference. A number groups and faith
community leaders will be coming, and we hope for many more. We believe it is
important that the faith community have a presence with respect to this
conference.
We know that there will only be ten days from the planning session to the
response date (Sat 2/25), so getting this out to as many people and
organizations is very important. Please post the meeting on as many list-serves
as possible.
For more information please contact:
Cinnomin Brothers at Cinnominbrothers@yahoo.com
or Rob Morgan at 314-353-5951 or Robbieblue11@MSN.com
MSNBC article:
Alternative view says homosexuals can change
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8379954/from/ET/
Fear and Loathing at the Ex-Gay Conference
http://www.whosoever.org/v6i3/grizzle.html
Soulforce presents: A False Focus on My Family (downloadable pdf)
http://www.soulforce.org/article/false-focus-family
Love Welcomes All : How to create a community-based conference (downloadable pdf)
www.soulforce.org/pdf/lovewelcomesall.pdf
A Report from "Love Won Out" by the NGLTF
www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/lovewonout.pdf
MAP TO 2/15 MEETING LOCATION:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=3460%20Jamieson%20Ave&city=Saint%20Louis&state=MO&zipcode=63139%2d2150&country=US&title=%3cb%3e3460%20Jamieson%20Ave%3c%2fb%3e%3cbr%20%2f%3e%20Saint%20Louis%2c%20MO%2063139%2d2150%2c%20%20US&cid=lfmaplink2&name=