John Evans: Shattered Lives of the “Ex-Gay” Movement
Posted on | July 31, 2005 | Comments
In times past, majorities have often scapegoated racial, ethnic and religious minority groups of people by unfairly and often viciously labeling them subhuman, unequal, dangerous and/or even perverted.
Is it little wonder that some members of these groups chose to hide that which set them apart. Some light-skinned Blacks pretended they were White. Some Jews pretended they were Christian. Some Native
Americans pretended they were not. Now we see some Muslims and Arabs
pretending to be Hispanic or Indian. Also, some Gays and Lesbians
pretend to be Straight.
Today, Love In Action’s co-founder and former ex-gay John Evans
released a letter opposing gay conversion groups
saying that they “shattered lives”. The group he started has recently
made headlines because it runs a boot camp for gay teens called
“Refuge” that tries to turn adolescents heterosexual, often against
their will.
TEXT OF LETTER:
July 30, 2005
Love In Action
ATTN: John Smid, Director
Memphis, TN
Dear Mr. Smid:
We as born again Christians believe the Bible to be the inspired Word
of God. We Basically agree on the fundamentals of salvation. I’ve been
a born again Christian for over 50 years and I’ve noticed Christians
reading the same scriptural passages, yet arriving at different
personal interpretations regarding moral issues. Some of these issues
that have divided Christians within recent years have been slavery,
women’s rights, the Charismatic movement and other issues, including
divorce.
Within my lifetime, I’ve known members of my own family being asked to
leave churches they had attended for years over issues of divorce and
re-marriage, yet later welcomed back when a different interpretation
of scripture was explained.
Today, the subject of homosexuality is being discussed among
Christians. Most Christians find the subject too uncomfortable to make
a personal investigation, but rely upon the traditional Christian
condemnation of homosexuality. There are more scriptures dealing with
divorce than homosexuality, yet, today, Christians give each other the
freedom of personal interpretation regarding divorce. I’m sure
homosexuality will be added to the long list of disagreements among
Christians.
In 1973, when I helped organize the “ex-gay” ministry called Love In
Action, I admit I had never heard of a different view of homosexuality
or made an effort to research the issue. I held to the traditional
Christian condemnation that all homosexuality was sinful.
One day, I read a booklet by Dr. Ralph Blair called, “An Evangelical
Look At Homosexuality.” I prayed before reading this booklet and was
shocked, yet refreshed, because I had never heard such remarks
regarding this subject from another Evangelical Christian.
I wrote Ralph Blair that I would like to discuss his views regarding
this matter and his return letter informed me he could meet with me at
my home in San Rafael, Calif. The night he arrived I invited several
of my friends who were also involved with Love in Action to join us.
We studied the scriptures dealing with homosexuality. I had struggled
most of my life with this matter and I would continue to try to be
“ex-gay” if it were God’s will. Over the past 30 years I have studied
both sides of this subject and now know it’s not my sexual orientation
that’s wrong or sinful. But one should allow the Holy Spirit to guide
his or her life whatever one’s sexual orientation. I challenge other
Christians to study the scriptures to show yourself approved unto God
and don’t be afraid to challenge the traditional condemnation of
homosexuality.
The Church has been wrong in the past regarding other issues and I’m
sure there will be others before Jesus returns. I know my views
regarding homosexuality and being Christian does not agree with most
Christians and I’ve been accused of being “deceived and tricked by the
Devil.”
God alone knows my heart and Jesus Christ means too much to me to go
against the leading of the Holy Spirit as he guides me as a born again
Christian. Someday, each of us will stand alone before God to give an
account of our lives and I want Him to be satisfied with me.
I just returned from the 25th annual Conference of Evangelicals
Concerned, a group of gay Christians who know that it is possible to
be both gay and Christian. In the past 30 years since leaving the
“ex-gay” ministry I have seen nothing but shattered lives, depression
and even suicide among those connected with the “ex-gay” movement.
At the E.C. conference I met gay Christians who have an even closer
relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit seemed to hover over the
entire conference. The closing communion service seemed as if Jesus
Himself was there saying, “Come to me all who labor and are laden with
the burden of trying to conform to the impossible conclusions of
others, and I will give you rest.”
Again, I challenge Christians to investigate all sides of the issue of
being gay and Christian. The Church has been wrong in the past
regarding moral issues and I’m sure there will be more before Christ
returns.
Love in Christ,
John Evans
Original Member of Love In Action, 1973
Read more at Wayne Besen’s blog.
Comments
