2.
There is a reality out there that men and women do indeed turn from homosexually acting-out behaviours – some do not use the term “ex-gay” for its primary identification with homosexuality. Andy Kominsky, a pioneer in ministering to those who identify as same-sex strugglers, had at one point stated that homosexual persons were latent heterosexuals. (Now THAT should make some awefully unhappy!)

But even the American Psychological Association has declared that individuals seeking therapy (and that is for only those who desire to seek another life-approach) should self-determine their therapy of choice – even that of pastoral conseling and ex-gay ministry – and that all risks and potential outcomes of any therepeutic approach should be laid out to the counsellee at the onset of therapy.

3.
Thanks to Kate for reference to (UK’s) Rev. Peter Ould. Note should be made, also, to Rev. Mario Bergner (US) of Redeemed Lives.

Explore also:
http://www.zacchaeus.ca
NARTH
Exodus International

Having said that, I think it is pitiful that you have aligned yourself with a very repressive and backwards Nigerian church.

Accuse me of what you will, but my ultimate allegiance is to God’s Word. I’m sure the Nigerian Chruch has many flaws – as do all man made institutions. I would be surprised if the leaders of the Nigerian Church didn’t freely admit same.

Hell, I seriously doubt if you would even consider sharing your table with these folks if they lived in your fine city.

You start with a unfounded assertion and immediately build it into an ad hominem argument. How can we have a meaningful discussion given such a starting point? Mud slinging does not build trust.

As for the scales in my eyes, which I humbly acknowledge, let’s look at your issues that are clearly addressed:
King James Bible
Luke 6:42
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

Of course, you will never see the light of the truth, and I know it is rather fruitless to even try.

Having said that, I think it is pitiful that you have aligned yourself with a very repressive and backwards Nigerian church. Hell, I seriously doubt if you would even consider sharing your table with these folks if they lived in your fine city.

Although he may not realize it, Paul’s statements are based on presuppositions concerning right and wrong. Paul has implicitly denied that God is the source of absolute truth, but it is doubtful that he has seriously examined the reasons for why he believes certain things are “right” and others are “wrong”. Thankfully he is a moral person (an atheist who accepts the logical end of his beliefs concerning morality is a scary thing), but one who likely cannot give a logical explanation for his morality (I believe it is because he is created in the image of God).

I don’t know if Paul is an atheist, a pagan, or someone who believes in a God who he has shaped into something acceptable to him (a form of idolatry). Maybe he moves between these positions depending on the day and the mood he’s in. It doesn’t matter other than he represents a view held by many people. The point is that Paul believes his position is “right” and the position he is criticizing is “wrong”. The question I’m interested in is what does Paul base his concept of right and wrong on?

Does Paul believe that majority opinion should determine what is right and wrong? If so, how can he criticize African Anglicans who may represent majority opinion in their society? Does he believe that certain societies have “evolved” to a higher level, and that, in their enlightenment, they can dictate morality to “lower” societies? If, at some point in the future, the majority of people come to see pedophilia as moral, will Paul accept that majority view?

Maybe I’m being to hard on Paul and he does have sophisticated philosophical arguments to defend his view of morality and why he believes certain things are right and others are wrong. Maybe he is willing to lay bare all of his presuppositions and defend them. I know his defence must logically break down at some point, leaving him in a position where his actions and stated beliefs are not be consistent. Regardless, I am interested in such discussion.

For me, it is much simpler. I believe in the God revealed in the Bible. I believe the Bible is His inspired and inerrant Word. I believe in original sin and in my total depravity. I know am saved by grace alone and nothing in my character or actions warrants this grace. Like Paul, my sinful nature rebels against God’s holy standard, but I admit that His ways are higher than my ways and that I see through a glass darkly. To Him be all glory, honour and praise.