Tutu, Cameron urged to defend ex-gay rights

Andre Bekker.
Andre Bekker.
African Anglican leader suggests Tutu was paid to support gay agenda

Former homosexual and managing director of New Living Way Ministry Andre Bekker has urged South African gay rights activists Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron to advocate for the dignity and respect of former homosexuals.

In an open letter addressed to Tutu, Cameron, United Nations Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Bekker says he noted with great concern that on July 26 in Cape Town, when the UN Human Rights Office launched its first global public education programme to raise awareness and respect for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community, no mention was made of raising awareness and respect for former homosexuals.

‘Outright discrimination’
Describing himself as an opponent of all discrimination against the GLBTI community, he says the failure of the UN and gay organisations to advocate on behalf of former homosexuals is “outright discrimination”.

“Gay organisations and their supporters oppose former homosexuals’ equality. Equal rights belong to all people. Yet the addition of former homosexuals would ensure tolerance for all segments of our society,” says Bekker.

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He continues: “The decision not to be identified as gay is one only an individual himself can make. However, there are those in society who refuse to respect individual self-determination. Consequently, former homosexual men and women are reviled simply because they dare to exist.

“The demonization of former homosexuals by gays themselves is a sad end to their long struggle for tolerance. The fact that former homosexuals and their supporters are now oppressed by the same people who until recently were victimised themselves, demonstrates how far the gay rights movement has come. Indeed, a new chapter in the movement is needed – the right of those with unwanted same-sex attraction to explore their heterosexual potential, should they wish to do so.

“I draw your attention to the fact that a significant number of former homosexuals are devoted believers and have strong religious conviction as a result. Religious Freedom and Freedom of Speech remain constitutional rights of importance to them.

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“Equality must be extended to all people, and all must be treated with dignity and respect. Former homosexuals do not ask for others’ approval – only their tolerance.”

Tutu’s remarks criticised by colleagues
Meanwhile, Charisma News reports that Tutu’s widely reported  pro-gay remarks at the recent UN launch in Cape Town have drawn fire from colleagues, with one African archbishop going so far as saying Tutu may have accepted payments to say what he did.

Anglican Archbishop Yinkah Sarfo of Ghana strongly condemned Tutu over his declaration that he would not worship a God who is homophobic, adding, “I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. … I mean, I would much rather go to the other place [hell].”

“Archbishop Tutu is respected in the Anglican church and around the world, but this time he has misfired, and all Anglican bishops from Africa, Asia and South America condemn his statement in no uncertain terms,” Sarfo told Ghana’s Adom News.

Sarfo said Tutu’s comments were not the stand of the entire Anglican communion, which is increasingly led by traditionalist voices from the global south that adhere to a more conservative theological perspective.

”We [other African bishops] suspect that retired Archbishop Tutu may have collected some moneys from some of the Western governments or from gay rights activists to do their bidding, but the Anglican Church condemns gay practice,” Sarfo said.

Jeff Walton, the Anglican programme director for the Institute on Religion and Democracy, also reportedly condemned Tutu’s statements.

“Tutu’s declaration demands that God operate on his terms,” Walton says. “Tutu’s god is one that many will recognize—an idealized version of ourselves times 2 or 3. God operates on a whole different standard of holiness beyond this self-constructed deity.

“Tutu never speaks for the majority of Anglicans in Africa. The center of Anglican leadership on the continent has moved to countries like Nigeria and Kenya. Apart from Tutu’s dismissiveness, African Anglicans are very interested in spending eternity with God and want their neighbors to share in that, too.

“African Anglicans have quickly become the majority voice in the Anglican communion. They focus on evangelism and discipleship, seeking to win souls for Christ rather than prioritize earthly political ambitions.”

‘Lack of scriptural understanding’
In an Opinion piece published in Christian Post, US national Christian-based talk show host Janet Parshall says that Nobel laureate Tutu “may have been heroic on his work to end racism in Africa, but his recent statements on homosexuality show an utter lack of understanding of what Scripture says on the subject of sin and sexuality”.

She writes: “The Bible is not ambiguous on how marriage is to be defined– one man and one woman. There is no confusion on who designed sexual expression and where that mystical act is to be enjoyed and confined – within marriage. No pre-marital sex, no extra-marital sex and no same-sex expression. God makes this issue very clear because He loves us – and has our welfare at heart.

Unfortunately, Desmond Tutu’s remarks were political not biblical. They were also very damaging because they fail to acknowledge the seriousness of sin. They likewise fail to affirm the completed work of the Cross.

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All of us are great sinners in need of a great Savior. His love is meaningless without His law – and that does not make God homophobic. It makes Him holy.”

 

16 Comments

  1. Hugh G Wetmore

    An outstanding column. This whole piece should be circulated in the main-stream media, to counteract the biased propaganda which politically-correct individuals, organisations and media are disseminating. Check out this web-site for an expose of the GLBT long-term strategy and its rationale: http://rethinkingtheology.com/2013/08/06/the-gay-agendas-planned-psychological-attack-on-straight-america/

  2. Shiney Alexander George

    I watched in dismay as the Archbishop made that ‘homophobic God’ statement. The Arch was full of himself and the pride of his heart was glaring in its defiance of God. He interprets the Word through the lens of the South African constitution and other humanist manuals. He’d rather be on the other side than on God’s? Then let God grant his wish.

  3. Christopher Blackwell

    Ex-gays, what a great myth. In Washington DC there was supposed to be a demonstrations of tens of thousand to support ex-Gay Pride. Less than ten people showed up and they were the organizers All the big leaders of the group have proven to be anything but ex gay and the moment in the United States has collapsed The simple fact it that it never worked. it just drove Gays deeper in the closet made them feel like failures, because they have been told that God would change them, which he did not and it drove a number of them to suicide. There are no long term medical studies that ever showed that this conversion ever worked. I am sorry but whatever you may feel about Gays, lying in the name of Jesus or God is not allowed. After all the Bible tells us who the father of all lies is.

    • Dear Christopher

      May it be said that even the gay rights movement started with a humble beginning. Christopher Doyle, Director of Voice of the Voiceless is quoted saying: “July 31, 2013 was a great day for former homosexuals in America! While the turnout was humble, the enthusiasm among those who participated in Ex-Gay Pride was immeasurable. Anti-ex-gay extremists are gleeful that “less than ten people showed up”…actually, by my count, nine former homosexuals (including an ex-transgender) and a half-dozen more allies came out to lobby Congress and show support at the press conference in front of the Supreme Court. While that number may be small, we have to start somewhere.”

      Doyle continues; “In my view, it is significant in our current anti-ex-gay climate that even ONE former homosexual is willing to share their experience and speak out publicly…. It only takes ONE ex-gay that has changed to put a wrench in the ‘born that way, cannot change’ strategy they [gay activists’] are using to deceive the public. The fact is, these activists cannot handle the existence of ONE person who says they have experienced change from same-sex attraction to opposite sex attraction, much less nine of us telling our stories at one time. So they need to mock, belittle, and downplay the significance of yesterday’s events. That is why there is so much anger. So much intimidation. So much disrespect. So much harassment.”

      Let it be known, that a acorn once germinated becomes a full grown Oak tree.

      It is sad that you are miss informed. I would suggest you read this link and follow the footnotes for studies showing change.

      You can also read my story here http://www.learntolove.co.za/index.php/people-s-stories-dealing-with-same-sex-attraction/god-s-amazing-grace

  4. Sorrhttp://www.learntolove.co.za/index.php/people-s-stories-dealing-with-same-sex-attraction/god-s-amazing-gracey the link for the studies are

  5. Christopher Blackwell

    Sir there is a term for those who change sexual interest, it is bisexual. A straight guy can’t become gay and a gay can’t become straight but a bisexual may go back and forth, being one way for a period of time and then being the other for a period of time.

    There has been a lot of fraud in the ex-gay moment. While it may increase the guilt and drive gay man back into the closet it will never successfully make him straight.

    I wish you well in your life and hope for your sake that you don’t discover that you have only fooled yourself, because that would not only hurt yourself, but your lady as well.

    It is not unusual for a gay man to get married, it was once very common and still is in many places. But it always led to great sadness when reality showed up again.

    • Christopher
      Sexual Preference Shifts
      That sexual desire and behavior are flexible was demonstrated by the Kinsey Institute in 1970. It reported(9) that 81% of 684 gays and 93% of 293 lesbians had changed or shifted either their sexual feelings or behaviors after age 12.58% of the gays and 77% of the lesbians reported a second shift in sexual orientation; 31% of the gays and 49% of the lesbians reported a third shift; and 13% of the gays and 30% of the lesbians reported even a fourth shift in sexual orientation before “settling” into adult homosexuality. The shifts reported by these subjects varied in degree, but some were quite dramatic – about a quarter of gays and a third of lesbians once had heterosexual desires and 5% of heterosexual men and 3% of heterosexual women once had substantial homosexual desires. Heterosexuals in the study were much less likely to report shifts in their orientation. Even so, 29% of 337 heterosexual men and 14% of 140 heterosexual women reported at least one shift; while 4% of the men and 1% of the women reported at least three shifts. Immutable things like eye color or skin color don’t change once, much less three or four times!
      *- Belt AP & Weinberg MS Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1978. /& Hammersmith SK Sexual Preference: Statistical Appendix. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1981.

  6. Dear Christopher.
    The beauty of Jesus is that He let’s us choose to follow Him or not. His Word is very clear in so many respects and not just on the actual aspect of homosexuality. We cannot redesign His message and negotiate with Him how we would like to follow His teachings. We do however have freedom to choose and we will all be judged by our choices we make in this life. It is really that simple. The issue here is can ex homosexuals receive the same dignity, respect and tolerance from the LGBT movement as they themselves have so vehemently fought for. I think the answer to this at this time is no. Which means quite simply that the right to these aspects only belongs to LGBT and no one else. Sorry but I cannot accept that. I am heterosexual by the way. I do not judge others and will show respect to all humans as expected from God. I will not however accept sin as defined in God’s Word and neither will I keep quite about my opinions. The reaction to me will therefore also determine if I too am entitled to respect, dignity and tolerance for my beliefs by others who in turn disagree with me. It is my strong opinion that this entitlement is not easily granted to others by the LGBT movement but then again, lets just wait and see.

  7. Christopher Blackwell

    Cherry picking information can ma e anything seem possible. May I respond that we have come a very long way since the early Kinsey reports. I am sorry but those who study Psychology and Psychiatry would disagree with you completely. The Kinsey was basically the first time that ordinary people were allowed to talk about what they felt about sex and it gave a startling different picture about actual sexual practices than what was assumed. It was still some time before independent Psychological and Psychiatric studies were done. Before psychological studies mere assume that social beliefs and constructs were correct. Early studies on Homosexuality were restricted to people in mental hospitals or who were being treated or emotional problems. There were no studies on homosexuals not have motional problems. if we studied marriage people the same way, one would come to assume that heterosexual marriage was an illness. Once studies were done on those that were not experiencing emotional problem homosexuality was no more listed as an illness. Now I well aware that many religious people reject science whenever it disagrees with their religious convictions. By the way it is interesting that some of the hot button issues of our day in religion were never talked about by Jesus, not homosexuality, not birth control not abortion, all existing in his time.

  8. Christopher,

    In addition to what Andre is saying we must remember that the psychiatric community has always taken a traditionally view that homosexuality whether acknowledged or repressed, is an indication of underlying neurosis or other mental or emotional problems. This position has only recently been attacked by gay activists, including some well known professionals in sex research and mental health disciplines. It was in 1973 that, both as a result of such attacks and admitted failure of most psychiatrists to treat the condition successfully even after extensive and costly therapy that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) by a much divided vote removed homosexuality from the list of problems that it considered per se to be indicative of mental illness. It has been suggested that this vote was not so much a declaration of affirming the normality of the homosexual personality, but an acknowledgement that, in view of the skills possessed by most therapists which had not produced the desired changes, the burden of cost to the homosexual patient, and the ability of most homosexuals to function adequately in other areas of life, it was unethical for professionals to tell homosexuals that they were “sick” and to recommend untransforming psychiatric care.

    Rev. Desmond Tutu is silent on Christian sexual ethic; nowhere does he condemn homosexual behavior. For Rev. Tutu love means acceptance. To cite an old but valid truism, if a child is sick and in need of surgery it is the cruel parent who avoid the pain of the surgery that can make well in favor of masking the pain with drugs while avoiding surgery. If scripture is saying homosexual practice is one clear and distinct sin, are we acting in love if we mask or cover that over?
    Whatever sex acts heterosexuals or homosexuals perform the fact remains that man’s sexual “other half” complement, or counterpart is a woman and visa versa. It is partly anatomy, but also physiology and psychology. Man and women differ in ways that moderate the extremes of, and fill in the gaps of the other sex. Homoerotic pairing, lacking a true sexual complement, do not generally produce the same result. In addition, there is something problematic about being erotically aroused by the very same body parts and gender essence of one’s own sex, in essence, sexual narcissism.

  9. Kenin Stuurman

    Dear Christopher,
    Please remember that birth control is a form of abortion. The birth control pill can work in one of three ways:
    1. It can prevent ovulation (releasing an egg from the ovary)
    2. It can cause the mucus in the cervix to change so that
    if sperm reach the cervix, they are not allowed to enter, and
    3. It can irritate the lining of the uterus so that if the first two actions fail, and the woman does become pregnant, the tiny baby boy or girl will die before he or she can actually attach to the lining of the uterus.
    In other words, if the third action occurs, the woman’s body rejects the tiny baby and he or she will die. This is called a chemical abortion. Abortion is an act of direct killing that takes the life of a tiny human being – a life that begins at fertilization.

  10. Kenin Stuurman

    Dear Christopher,

    Now, lets address your point on Jesus never having spoken about homosexuality sodomy), abortion or birth control. First of all Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Although He manifested himself on earth in the flesh, He has always been present before the creation of the universe and everything in it.

    (John 1:1-3) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} The same was in the beginning with God. {3} All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
    (John 8:58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
    (Exodus 3: 18) And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
    (John 10:30) I and my Father are one.
    (1 John 5:7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
    (Revelation 19:13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

    These scriptures clearly show that Jesus Christ is present in the Old and the New Testament. Therefore He does address these topics clearly and plainly so that all people, including you are without excuse. Now hear the Word of God.

    Homosexuality:
    (Genesis 19:4-5) “But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: {5} And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.”
    (Genesis 19:24) Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
    (Leviticus 18:13) If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
    (Romans 1:24-27) “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: {25} Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. {26} For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: {27} And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
    (1 Corinthians 6:9) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

    Abortion and Birth Control:
    (Genesis 4:10) And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
    (Leviticus 18:21) “And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.”
    (Proverbs 6:16-18) “¶These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: {17} A proud look, a lying tongue, and “hands that shed innocent blood”, {18} An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,”
    (Psalms 106:37-38) “Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, {38} And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.”
    (Psalms 127:3) “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
    (Psalms 139:13-16) “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. {14} I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. {15} My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. {16} Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”
    These verses clearly show that God Almighty is against sodomy, abortion and birth control. Abortion and birth control is nothing but murdering the innocent. Birth control also promotes sexual immorality or fornication. You may deny that abortion is wicked. You may say think sodomy is a good thing. You may not like or believe the above verses.

    In that case here are a few more verses for you to chew on.
    (Isaiah 5:20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
    (Revelation 21:8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
    (Revelation 22:13-15) ” I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. {14} Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. {15} For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

    Christopher you may think that He has changed, winks at your ignorance or doesn’t really exist. If you are of this mindset I strongly urge you to repent and turn from your wicked ways so that you may gain eternal life. Thus saith the Lord.
    (Romans 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
    (Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
    (Hebrews 13:8) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.