The hubbub over the app from Christian group Exodus International keeps growing. The petition against the app for “homosexual strugglers” has reached nearly 130,000 signatures.
Apple has still not responded and, at this writing, the free app is still in the iTunes store. The battle is also being waged in the reviews for the app – currently there are 371 five-star reviews and 836 one-star reviews.
Exodus International spoke to the Christian Post about how they hope Apple the reviews won’t shake the initial 4+ rating for their content – meaning it contains no objectionable material — and how the app has been misunderstood.
“We are helping those who have unwanted same-sex attractions. Those who are gay or identify themselves that way, in no way, shape or form are we trying to speak to their position or trying to impose anything upon them,” Jeff Buchanan, Exodus International’s Senior Director of Church Equipping & Student Ministries, told The Christian Post.
“Exodus believes the opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality. It is holiness. We promote the belief that one can live a life that is congruent with their faith. That is our mission – period. ”
Buchanan notes that the app contains the same info found on the group’s website in smartphone format.
It is hard to imagine that Apple reviewed the content and believed that no one might take issue with statements like the following on “help for leaving homosexuality:”
The bottom line – you don’t have to be gay! You can lead a life of fulfillment and holiness as God intended, a life far better than what you have experienced so far
The testimonies of people in the Real Stories section who have reportedly been helped by the counseling offered by Exodus are also lightning rods:
“My attraction to men goes back almost as far as I can remember. I suppose I was about twelve years old when I started acting out my homosexual attractions. But, growing up in the 1940s and 50s, there was not a visible gay subculture, a homosexual lifestyle, to which I could aspire.”
Still, as the group behind the petition Truth Wins Out plans to stage a protest at Cupertino headquarters and the story is covered from Forbes to Fox News, Exodus hopes the app will stay.
“We hope this will be an opportunity for Apple to promote a policy of diversity and tolerance within iTunes and within their platform,” commented Buchanan.
“What we do not want to do is presuppose what Apple is going to do. We definitely want to hope that they will allow us to be fairly represented and anything beyond that we will take on a day by day basis.”
As the days pass and the controversy mounts, Apple is still mum.
Via Christian Post
Nicole Martinelli is a San Francisco freelance writer who heads up Cult of Mac Magazine, our weekly publication available on iTunes. You can find her on Twitter and Google+. If you’re doing something new, cool and Apple-related, email her.
226 responses to “Christian Group Responds to “Gay Cure” App Fracas”
Promote your brain-washing somewhere else, religious freaks.
Is the pic suggesting that something French with an interracial twist is ok though?
The notion that Apple would allow this idiotic and nonsensical hogwash to even be posted is a sad and pathetic statement about the current state of society where there are still primitive and backward bigots who are either too stupid or too arrogant in their belief in a bronze age sheepherder mythology should be allowed to judge human beings whose genetic based sexuality is objectionable to their simple minded fantasies.
Apple needs to remove this ignorance based idiocy and never allow it’s ilk to be posted if for no other reason than it’s moronic hate based stupidity.
A gay friend and his partner are already working on the exact opposite for religious simpletons who are looking to escape the bonds of mythological foolishness BECAUSE they are gay. I can’t wait to see if Apple approves it.
Not sure they’re promoting brain-washing. What’s the big deal, don’t download it if you’re offended, vote with your install button!
Apple: Remove this app.
Glad to see the follow-up on this, Nichole. Please let us know how it shakes out!
Background: I absolutely am in favour of gay rights including the right to marry. Having said that, I’m also a firm believer in the right of free speech, no matter how odious the thing being said. I think Apple would be making a mistake to remove the app. It’s not being forced on anyone. If Apple takes it away, what’s to stop them from removing, say, an app promoting Wicca?
Leave it alone. Don’t download it if you think you’re going to be offended.
Thank you for showing that YOU, in fact, are the one who is intolerant. I’m so sorry the whole world doesn’t agree with you and that everyone that doesn’t is “too stupid” or “too arrogant”. Please grow up and please learn the definition of “hate”. You don’t seem to have any clue what it means.
Facts are facts. It isn’t hate to point out that these Christian guys have no facts on their side and are promoting an anti-gay agenda. How would you feel about an app that suggests you don’t have to be black or chinese and contains advice on surgeries, skin lighteners and eye tucks? It’s just as stupid and just as insulting.
You’re advocating censorship. You know, like ‘Religous simpletons’ often do?
It’s not hate-based just because you disagree. That’s absurd.
Homosexuality is obviously NOT genetic. That would require evolution to be wrong. I.E. prior to advanced fertilization techniques, homosexuals can’t reproduce homosexually, therefore a ‘gene’ for homosexuality can’t be transferred in the population. Right or wrong, it’s clearly a cultural phenomenon.
So now who’s the uneducated simpleton? You’re in favor of religious censorship and you don’t understand evolution. Get a real college degree and try again.
Apps promoting Wicca don’t take an entire group of people and put them up as an example of “evil.” You can promote both Wicca and Christianity without violating other peoples human rights and making them second class citizens. Free speech rights are not absolutes.
Same could be said of a racist or anti-semetic app… so why not open the store to all?
Umm. You’re falling into the common fallacy that our romantic partners are chosen for us by fate/genetics or anything but personal choice. I have a wife who I choose to have as my only romantic partner although I COULD certainly allow myself to develop romantic feelings for others if I permitted myself to (and many people do). I could also allow myself to develop romantic feelings for a man if I permitted myself to (and many people do).
This isn’t about anyone telling anyone else what’s right. It’s about people who have a desire to live a different way than they have been living finding help to do so. There is nothing controversial about it.
I would hope that the supposedly tolerant and open-minded gay community would be able to see this. Instead they take offense whenever anyone suggests that they are responsible for their own decisions and that a person can choose whichever path they deem best for them in life.
I say keep the app and if someone wants to post an app helping others find the strength to live a gay life, I say Apple should keep that app as well. We are all free to choose for ourselves.
I feel no obligation to be tolerant of ignorance and pretend it’s a viable and equally valid stance when it simply isn’t.
This viewpoint is based in ignorance, arrogance and yes, stupidity. Facts are facts so respectfully, get over it and grow up.
Everyone preaches tolerance until their own beliefs are challenged. Just because some say that it is a fact that it is genetic does not mean it is the absolute truth. Show me the gene that causes this.
It seems that some are afraid that their truth cannot stand up to the word of God.
It is sad that there is more outrage about an app like this than there is for the pornographic and perverse that wreck lives and families everyday. They didn’t trash anybody they are showing that that lifestyle is not the only way and in fact there may be another way which is more fulfilling.
What all of you that are opposed to this app are asking for is censorship of free speech – which by the way is protected under the constitution. If you don’t agree, that’s fine, this is America and you don’t have to agree.
Have any of you that are opposed to this actually read their material and educated yourselves on it so that you can argue your opinion intelligently?
They are not promoting hate. Heck, they aren’t even saying God hates homosexuals! So where is the hate speech? They are not harming or promoting harm to anyone or by anyone. They are merely speaking and counseling within their belief system to willing participants with the same beliefs.
So what is the problem again? (besides your conflicting opinions)
I’m advocating reality and standing against stupidity and cowardly pragmatism where the laughably backward stance of those who are either too uninformed or too arrogant in their beliefs.
Would you be of the same opinion if a group were to put forward that you must be white in order to be a good and righteous follower of Odin? Of course not, it would be stupidity. So is this.
As for getting a college degree, I hold a Masters of Criminology and a Bachelors of Human Psychology.
The fact that homosexuality is present among every species of mammalian (and others) life on this planet sets your laughable assertion of being cultural in the toilet of intellectual pursuit where it belongs.
Your lack of understanding of evolutionary theory shows who is the uneducated simpleton quite clearly. Spend a few hundred hours studying natural selection and then move on to biochemistry, genetic variance and environmental influence on reproductive cycles and then try to compare scientific reality to these ignorant assertions you seem to think are remotely close to reality. They aren’t and neither are you.
Respectfully, if you haven’t got the courage to stand behind the religious foolishness that you and these primitives are promoting then please leave the discussion to the big people and please stay at the kids table.
precisely.
I wonder how many people who are supporting this app under the auspices of Freedom of Speech would be equally supportive of an app that outlines the grounds on which a good Muslim should set his wife on fire for dishonouring him or how to slit his daughter’s throat for being the victim of a rapist.
I have a distinct feeling the response would be radically different.
Tolerance of stupidity, hate and bigotry is nothing but cowardice disguised as pragmatism.
Show me the proof of gawd and I’ll show you the gene chart as laid out by researchers from Switzerland. Deal?
So you would have no opposition to an app outlining how to leave a hateful and wrong minded church and join the homosexual community then, right? :)
do you know any “homosexuals” you ignorant fucking dumbass? it is genetic you dumb shit. like anyone “chooses” to like the same sex. yes, and I choose to want to fuck a pussy. fucking die you stupid ignorant moron
Check out the movie or book “The Case for Christ” by investigative reporter Lee Strobel. He set out to prove to his wife that her new found faith in God was nothing more than following a cult.
die you stupid ignorant piece of nigger shit
thank you for your common sense
Apples and oranges Gazoobee.
1. Race is different than sexual orientation and they should not be equated to each other.
A. It is a proven fact that people are born as a particular race.
This is defined by the race of the parents.
B. It is NOT a proven fact that people are born with a disposition
toward homosexuality.
2. Race does not predispose you to any type of behavior.
A. Race in and of itself cannot dictate behavior
B. The apps opinion is that homosexuality is a dysfunction due to the
human state of sinfulness. Therefore, this disposition will directly
influence behavior.
3. The app is not promoting that they change they’re outward appearance.
A. Your example deals with people changing their outward appearance
and going to the extreme of surgery.
B. The app is only addressing mind and heart, resulting in changed
behavior
Here’s an idea. I think that all of these fucking right-wing religious “xian” nutcases should be rounded up, hanged, and burned at the stake like they used to do to people like me when they controlled the medieval “legal system.” They are a fucking plague to humanity, and they must be utterly killed. Until we realize this, there will never be progress or evolution. I have dealt with these cocksuckers firsthand, and I know they are a virulent disease, a cancer. Satan is the only hope for humanity
I am a Christian and am homosexual! I find that the whole of the anti “gay” climate in the Christian faith is foundationed upon the biblical “homophobic” passages in the Bible. It is obvious to me that these passages were not written by God, but by heterosexual males that abhor the thought of sex with another male. There may be no way to change this in some males, it is just a normal repulsion, however we have to look inside their minds at what causes this reaction. Is it fear or self loathing of their own feelings. My question is “why is the various churches so distracted with sex, when the world is so over populated?” Relax, and promote the greater message of Christianity of Love and caring for the other. Selfless acts are more Christian then Heterosexuality!
I’m offended, so it must go away! I disagree, so they must be silenced! Don’t hurt my feelings, because my entire self-worth is determined by an application on the App Store! Freedom of speech is only for speech I agree with, and anybody who disagrees with me is a hateful bigot! And while you’re at it, remove Angry Birds from the app store! It offends me, because I love pigs! Obviously the developers of Angry Birds are hate filled bigots who eat bacon at every meal and have no problem shooting pretty birds from sling-shots! This hate must come to an end, by law if necessary!
I just can’t understand why discussions like this always have to descend into a cesspool of personal attack, vitriol and hate. It’s like people can’t disagree on certain topics anymore. The guise of political correctness and cultural acceptance is neither. It’s still very biased. Open dialogue is a great thing, but it never seems to happen on the internet.
You are mistaking the choosing of a romantic partner with the choosing of ones sexual orientation. One is either Gay, Straight or as perhaps in your case Bi. One does not have a choice in that, one can only choose to act on their orientation or to deny it. Most of the so called ex-gays admit that they still have same sex attractions. They are only suppressing their natural inclinations to try and serve the dictates of a religion that has mistranslated and twisted the meaning of biblical verses. It is controversial because very often teenage kids are forced into these programs by their parents and church. Very often adults are pressured into these programs by their church. These programs are detrimental to peoples mental health because they are based on making someone feel guilty about something which, despite your misunderstanding of, they have no control over. You act like Gay people are choosing to enter these type of programs because they think it’s a good idea. They are entering them because of the great disdain society shows towards Gay people and because they feel that their life would be better, if they did not have to deal with the prejudice heaped on Gay people. It would be way better for them to enter a program that shows them they can free themselves from the dictates of religion.
You are mistaking the choosing of a romantic partner with the choosing of ones sexual orientation. One is either Gay, Straight or as perhaps in your case Bi. One does not have a choice in that, one can only choose to act on their orientation or to deny it. Most of the so called ex-gays admit that they still have same sex attractions. They are only suppressing their natural inclinations to try and serve the dictates of a religion that has mistranslated and twisted the meaning of biblical verses. It is controversial because very often teenage kids are forced into these programs by their parents and church. Very often adults are pressured into these programs by their church. These programs are detrimental to peoples mental health because they are based on making someone feel guilty about something which, despite your misunderstanding of, they have no control over. You act like Gay people are choosing to enter these type of programs because they think it’s a good idea. They are entering them because of the great disdain society shows towards Gay people and because they feel that their life would be better, if they did not have to deal with the prejudice heaped on Gay people. It would be way better for them to enter a program that shows them they can free themselves from the dictates of religion.
Yeah, because calling people to give up a sin is the exact same thing as killing people.
I see what you’re saying Bob, I guess it’s a fine line to walk, and I for one am glad to not be the one to say yes/no to these type of applications.
Dude, can you put that in an app? I know I’d buy it.
“We are helping those who have unwanted same-sex attractions” – Unwanted by whom?… by this group?… by their definition of god? The word “unwanted” assumes that the feeling is some type of external force that can be told to “get lost.” Well, trust me, it’s not.
Look up the punishments dictated by the bible for violations of the ten commandments. You’ll see that the majority of them are punishable BY DEATH. As a devout Xtian the appropriate punishment for working on the sabbath is DEATH.
Please, do some reading.
Please, tell me where the Bible says the appropriate punishment for a Christian working on the Sabbath is death. You’re just exposing YOUR ignorance of Christianity to say such a thing. Do some reading before you tell others to do some reading.
There is a continuous message from the begining to end of the scripture and it is that God loves His creation (people) and He wants to redeem them. While He loves people He also understands that we are going to do things that were not by His design or plan and because of this we can miss out on His blessings. We all sin and fall short but His son Jesus Christ paid the price so that we could have a relationship with him.
If we are going to believe the scripture which tell us we can be saved and have a relationship with God we cannot pick and choose which parts of scripture we believe. There are many sins that are listed and discussed throughout the entire Bible and it includes homosexuality but we don’t get to disregard any one because they don’t line up with who we are.
I am in no way perfect but I strive to be what God wants me to be so that I may experience life fully.
The freedom of speech in the constitution only applies to laws made by congress. Business can and do restrict speech. If you think not, try telling the owner of the business where you work, you think he/she is a stupid jerk and see how far your freedom of speech goes to keeping you from being fired.
Actually these groups can and do, do a great deal of harm to the people who enter their programs. All of the major mental health organizations condemn reparative therapy, as being harmful. A great deal of this is forced on teenage kids by their parents and church so you are mistaken that they are willing participants. Perhaps you should take your own advice and research the subject so that you can comment on it intelligently.
Funny how the self-proclaimed “tolerant” and “liberal,” who believe in “diversity,” suddenly become the intolerant, conservative and don’t believe in diversity when someone proclaims an alternate position. Funny how those who call others “bigots” don’t acknowledge their own bigotry. Funny how those who call for “liberation” are really, underneath their rhetoric, totalitarian in their mentality. Funny how those who proclaim “free speech” only believe in free speech if it lines up with their perception of reality, otherwise they believe in censorship. Hypocrites!
Your claims on mammalian species is a generalization fallacy, and has not been proven. Your ad hominems are not logical.
Right. I wouldn’t personally agree with the content or premise of the App itself — I believe man and women are meant to be together and that Christianity is good, but I don’t think Apple should be in the business of censoring either side of the argument.
Whether right or wrong, every sincere voice should have the right to be heard and every sincere seeker should have the right to find whatever guidance they feel will enrich their lives.
I believe that in the presence of complete information, and openness of heart, truth will be found and happiness will prevail, but everyone needs the opportunity to find it for themselves.
Someone should write a “Christian Cure” app that helps misguided victims liberate themselves from the outdated beliefs of their evidence-dodging ideology. That would be fun.
You may want to go and read some the testimonies. There are many who have said “get lost”. Apparently there are many who did not like feeling this way and have wanted out but didn’t know if they could.
Read the bible. Something most xtians have never done. I’ve read the thing cover to cover more than once. New and old testaments as well as the Torah and Qu’ran.
The fact that you’re saying that what is PLAINLY present in the book isn’t is a statement to your own intellectual dishonesty or fear of the truth.
It’s there and anyone who can read can see it plainly and simply.
Read Exodus Ch 31 V 15. The you can come back and apologize for being wrong.
Your comment of “I am in no way perfect but I strive to be what God wants me to be so that I may experience life fully.” Is what I and most Christians should focus on, but in this case these Christians are more worried about others and the paths laid out for them. I question why God asked me to walk this path and maybe it is to enlighten the likes of you!
You’re showing a fundamental misunderstanding of the Christian text.
I’d like to refer to a specific quote: “The bottom line – you don’t have to be gay! You can lead a life of fulfillment and holiness as God intended, a life far better than what you have experienced so far”
This states that the Exodus people believe that homosexuals have a sub-standard quality of life as a default condition of their sexual orientation. In my experience, knowing how homosexuals grow up in our culture, the SINGLE defining force that has influence over a homosexual’s sense of self-worth and well being is bigotry. If a gay man or woman is unhappy in life, it is not because of some psychological disturbance inherent to the condition of homosexuality, but the impressions left by people he/she encounters in daily life while their psyche is forming. There is no other way to interpret phases like “You can lead a life <snip> far better than what you have experienced so far” than as having the intent and effect of demeaning the homosexual and suggesting that person has chosen, and continues to choose, an unhappy lifestyle.
It is by embracing such warped thinking that people like the Exodus folks are actually manufacturing the unhappy people they claim to want to help. Many potentially objectionable opinions and concepts are paraded under the guise of free speech, and I believe people should be free to express their opinions. However, the issue in this case is whether or not the Exodus app is making statements that clearly fall into the category of hate speech. I think their statements in the App Store have been carefully crafted as to be “grey area” in that regard; neither definitively hate speech, nor entirely benign. You can be sure Apple lawyers are pondering this very question.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the end. It may end up that Apple will pull the app to avoid excessive bad press rather than deciding that the app violates Apple’s policy on hate speech. Personally, I’d rather see it removed because Apple found it to be in clear violation of store policy, but I’m not sure that will be the conclusion of the lawyers.
</snip>
You should take this up with the Jews. They are the ones who still hold to this belief. As a Christian we know that Jesus has stood in our place so we no longer need to suffer the pentatechal consequences of our sins. Jesus said, “Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” as he, himself broke the Sabbatical laws.
If only I could be tolerant like you. :)
“What all of you that are opposed to this app are asking for is censorship of free speech – which by the way is protected under the constitution.”
You obviously do not understand the purpose and the boundaries of the constitution, the rights it affords you, nor the concept of censorship.
Further, Exodus does in fact promote harming people. They are a political organization being founded by a religious organization which seeks to suppress the rights of a minority. This is their history and, despite their denial, it is their present.
Oh, so ancient Israel was in fact full of Christians!!! In spite of reading the Bible from cover to cover, you’ve obviously failed to understand even the most basic teachings found within it. You don’t understand the functions of the law, nor their fulfillment in Christ. I have done a bit of Bible reading. I’m in my final year in seminary, and I’d be glad to discuss the scriptures with you outside of this forum if your interested. I’m sure given time I could clear up some of your misperceptions. Show how open minded you are and open your mind to understanding Christianity – because right now you obviously don’t.
“founded by a religious organization” above should be “funded by a religious organization…”
I can respect your viewpoint but I personally feel that it is this form of tolerance that is leading to a lowering of common intelligence in favor of tolerance to fantasy and unreal beliefs in dogma that teaches the ignorant and gullible to feel hatred and bigotry toward those who are different. This is plainly wrong and frankly, should NOT be tolerated regardless of the well intentioned purpose of the teachings. The Nazis were asserting that Jews were a cause of many problems which were idiotic assertions yet the ignorant and gullible populace went along with it as the recent following of ignorant and uneducated followers of such imbeciles as Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Tim Lahay. Do a media comparative of how the nazis regarded Jews and then do a search of more modern media and the accusations they are leveling at Muslims. You may scare yourself.
These teachings only serve to harm the human species and tolerance of them is no less abhorrent for the simple fact that the teachings they want, and in some cases insist at gunpoint, others to follow for no reason and without any form of evidentiary proof.
The same people who are promoting this are no different that those who would promote and support world Caliphate under Islamic law. They just follow a different book of fantasy and mythology.
I know a few Professors of Zoological Studies who would say you are flatly wrong.
I am not attacking persons specifically therefore my view is not an ad hominem attack but is an accusation against a set of ridiculous beliefs. Quite different. The statement that those who follow these ignorance are exactly that is not ad hominem attack per se but I can see how some would find it such if they were personally grouped into those who are followers of those beliefs.
Frankly, I don’t care. The personal feelings of a group incapable of, or unwilling to accept reality is not my problem and is secondary at best compared to the harm they are causing with these beliefs.
“It is NOT a proven fact that people are born with a disposition
toward homosexuality.”
Yes, it has by many studies and years of research. It has only been held back from common media at the behest of religious groups who object to the scientific facts that disprove their bigoted assertions.
Is it there or not? If not then say so otherwise admit the fact that it is.
I’m not asking what the individual interpretation is just the simple question of whether or not the wording specifies that what I said is accurate.
I’ll do that. Thanks.
…and the ridiculous opposite end of the spectrum pukes up further ignorance. <sigh></sigh>
Even though I’m heterosexual, it’s easy for me to see how the language in this app is offensive. One can’t choose their sexual orientation any more than one can choose their race. So if this app were to declare that the opposite of being Black were holiness, I think most people might be offended by that. I’m finding it increasingly difficult to be tolerant of anti-gay “Christians.”
So you can pull a verse out of the Bible, without looking at its scriptural, historical, literary, or grammatical context, and you propose that you are interpreting the verse correctly, in a vacuum. Sorry, that’s not how Christians look at the Bible. In no way is your hermeneutic acceptable. It’s a meaningless and worthless way of reading scripture, and I’d be willing to bet you don’t read anything else like that. You wouldn’t, for example, read MLK’s letter from a Birmingham jail, where he says, “Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.” So, was MLK responding to a Macedonian call for aid while he was in jail? How could he possibly communicate with Macedonia while in jail? Nope, pulling a verse out of context and saying you have a reasonable interpretation is ridiculous, and you know it.
If you want to attack Christianity, fine. Feel free to do so. I really don’t care. However, if you’re going to do it, you should at least know what you’re attacking, because right now, you’re throwing stones at a straw man.
My offer stands to discuss this outside of the forum if you’re interested.
And no, the verse you cited says nothing about Christians and the Sabbath. The context makes that obvious.
I would say that many that are Christians live with sin in their lives. This does not mean that God approves of the sin. A man or woman that has become addicted to drugs, alcohol or porn, but have a relationship with God is no less a Christian. It also does not make it ok to live this way. They would miss out on the fulness of the relationships and there would be consequences for their actions. Our God is a loving God but He is also a just God.
You should do that, but be sure to do the research so that you have solid evidence because there is an enormous amount of evidence to disprove. :)
If only it were that simple. Let’s take a more thorough, research based look at the history of human civilization and we’ll see that homosexuals have long produced offspring. Sexual behaviour and sexual identity are not always congruent and this leads to spawn and passing on genetic material. Many gay individuals “attempt” hetero relationships due to pressure and fear to be who they are (due to intolerance and hate). In current society this still happens and has potential to lead to procreation.
Please provide us with those many studies and years of research with approven works by scientist community. That would really help the discussion and your point.
I am trying to balance my understanding that you need to get page views for your work, with the feeling you are manufacturing a controversy solely to bash people for their beliefs and force a marketplace of ideas to ban a particular point of view.
Why can’t you, Ms. Martinelli, accept that some people disagree with your point of view about homosexuality and leave them alone?
This “Exodus” bunch is a gang of blood-drenched thugs. Their rhetoric about how gays are “the opposite” of holy people is exactly the sort of language that drives innocent gay teens to commit suicide at a rate several times higher than that of heterosexual kids. They brainwash a bunch of self-loathing gays to crawl back into the closet for the glory of an imaginary man in the sky, and in the process contribute to the death of innocent kids. And you’ll know they’re Christian by their love.
I’m gay. I’m a big gay. HUGE! I don’t care if people have this app, honestly. If you don’t want to be gay and this iPhone app is the cure, then have at it. But you might want to wait for the “denial” app. If you don’t want to be gay, don’t be gay. Just don’t. If you’re attracted to the same gender and you don’t want to be, I think you’re screwed. Nothing Apple does or doesn’t do will help you.
I’m following a story, I’m not sure where you get the manufacturing controversy for page views equation. We published the statements of Exodus without any editorial comment, just as we have published the statements of the group protesting the app.
Where do you see my views on homosexuality in the story? I do believe that the content of the app is polemic — that’s not the same as saying that I disagree or agree with it.
If there’s any editorial subtext to these posts — it’s that Apple needs to make some sort of statement or policy decision about it one way or the other.
I would go further, I believe that God is Love. Love is the most powerful force in the Universe and that is what Jesus was telling us, above all Love all. Thus, Love thy enemy, neighbor, family. It is easy to love those that are in our care or family members. It, however is harder to love beyond. There is no love in singling out a persons or group of people and telling them how wrong they are. We (collectively) are all sinners and one does not have to look far to see a long list of preachers who have digressed into sin. Jesus asks us not to be Him but to try. So my mantra is to speak as he would have spoke and do has he would have done. Through me he lives on.
Ok, so a company like this should remove their app but it is ok to have sex apps all over the store… ok, who is being narrow minded? Regardless of your views, let the consumers sort it out. If you want it, download. If not, Don’t. The same applies to all the sex apps.
I didn’t know there were so many bigots that owned Macs.
I believe the best position for Apple and Exodus to take on this is for the App to be removed from the App Store and Exodus (willingly) move the App to a web based app where it is free from the restrictions of the App Store, Leaving both parties out of the controversy. Exodus will still have their App accessible to a (admittedly) very specific demographic. The App Store is not the place for this type of application especially when the technology exist in the iOS to make it web based and hosted for free. There is nothing in this App that cant be done web based.
you have absolutely no clue what you are talking about.
http://www.google.ca/webhp?rlz…
I appreciate you have a distinct loyalty to your faith and want to defend it but that neither absolves or justifies the horrors that religion of all forms have brought to the human race. Nor does it obligate me or anyone else to be tolerant of or obedient to it.
I would love to discuss the notion of celestial beings and supernatural phenomena with you some day but you must first appreciate that I have no qualms of speaking my mind on the issue and backing it with fact and science. Something no religion is capable of doing.
Please also understand that my assertions are not meant to denigrate or belittle you as a human being but are, in fact, meant to try and free the minds of those who I see as enslaved to a dogmatic set of beliefs that do much less good than evil.
Exodus 31:15 – Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
what evidence??? There is absolutely NO evidence whatsoever of the truth of any theological belief whatsoever.
Your statement makes no sense.
Either that or I’m missing the joke. Sorry.:)
an alternate position would be a position based on fact, evidence and reality. Religion has none of these and therefore is no more an alternate position that someone screaming the sky is made of marzipan and expecting others to greet it as an alternate position of meteorology.
It’s not.
l disagree with your statement that says that there is no love in singling out people by telling them how wrong they are. Paul did this throughout the NT as he wrote to different churches and addressed the problems they had. Just because someone tells another how wrong they are doesn’t mean that the person hates the other.
For example, what if I saw a blind man walking towards a cliff without realizing that he was in danger and I didn’t say anything to stop him? I wouldn’t be showing love towards him! In the same way, when someone is living in sin and I know that it is wrong, then I wouldn’t be showing love if I didn’t correct them.
People engaged in sexual intercourse is a natural act which results in great pleasure, intimacy and, if so desired by heterosexuals, procreation and continuance of our species. It is not wrong or immoral. Cutting people to ribbons with automatic weapons is not natural and is neither normal, productive or remotely pleasurable yet it is a common theme which many xtians will say is perfectly okay.
That is the most obscene form of hypocrisy.
Would you rather you children spend their days watching and participating in joyful sexual congress or firing innumerable rounds of ammunition into their fellow man?
An extreme example yes, but you really should think about that.
As of today, the petition against the app stands at over 140,000 signatures. But I must say, this is all too one-sided. Where is the “in-support” signature page for the app? Without that it has the appearance of 140,000 AGAINST to 0 FOR, which is silly and untrue. And for that reason I have written to the folks at Exodus to see if they would setup their own “Supporters” page, where people who support the app can sign. Whether one be for or against, it would be nice to see the numbers on both sides.
I did check to see if there were any “pro” petitions on change.org before posting, the only thing on there (at the time) were two or three other “anti” petitions with less than 1,000 sigs.
If you get any answer from them, I’d like to update this post or write another one.
Ok its fine that the Exodus app. tries to keep people who are sexually attractive to their own sexes from a natural act(as retarded as that sounds), but it is not ok for them to say all these very outlandish opinion’s that a gay person’s life is untrue and any lesser than any other human creature, ALL because of these natural sexual desires. The head of their committee had to resign due to hanging out in a gay club for God’s SAKE!!!
On a religious note, John Lennon said
“Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today .”
why would this open up one of the most peaceful songs, because religion when dealt with by close minded, love-limiting fools is BS. The idea people have of heaven is a little present with a nice fluffy bow on top given on a golden platter you get at the end of life, IF you “behave” for this enduring life. So this leaves egotistical jerkoffs, who believe their living the life the bible says, to condemn and belittle anyone who they believe that their not worthy in this life and also the next. Then this application came. The bible is a book of morals and that’s it(i will give credit to JC, he’s the man), unless im wrong and the earth was made up 6,000 some years ago and dinosaurs are here to test our faith. So enjoy your heaven when you safely get there, but don’t be disappointed if it stops real short of fluffy clouds and gold paths.
Your hate filled posts are giving our side a bad name.
Not everyone is going to believe the same thing as you. You use scientific proof and evidence to bash people who don’t agree with you. Theories in science are there to be replaced by better ones. Even theories which were ‘proven’ through experiment are regularly disproven later. So you’re right, you don’t find much about God in science text books, although you do find the big bang in the bible, something which caused some scientists to deny the evidence of it’s existence, because it sounded too christian.
My point being, CERN might find God next week, who knows. What I do know is that the world is a better place with more love and less hate. Period.
Right now, you are bringing the hate.
I agree, people shouldn’t try and change their behaviour because of the bible or any other book. (If I’m not mistaken, the section which calls out homosexuality as a no no also bans the eating of shell fish, so I’m hoping for a living without lobster app, any day now)
But if someone chooses to do that and chooses to buy an app to help them, who the f**k are you to tell them they can’t? I might feel sorry for them, but I’m not going to deny them free will.
If the app was pushing out bile filled hate towards anyone gay, I’d want it banned, but it’s not pushing that out, you are.
If you feel so strongly about it, quite being a prick about it and write an “it’s ok to be gay” app.
I know many gay people who lead rich spiritual and religious lives, so I already know it’s possible, maybe you could use you time to take that message to people, rather than trying shout shout down those who don’t agree with you.
Just a thought.
Why does one look at the splinter in another’s eye, and ignore the log in his own? His own words! Look within one’s self to find the answers. Do not look into the worlds of others. God has laid a path for each person to follow through life, than man learns his lessons and then will go before God and be judge on how they did or didn’t do. It is easy for the Heterosexual majority to say that Homosexuals have “chosen” the wrong path. When they know nothing about it from any perspective except their own. Personally, there was no “choice”. I feel it is much like the duckling that was imprinted with the cat or dog as its mother.
good point. yeah hypocrisy….it runs through the blood of ignorant Christians quite well. South Park ended up making “God’s image” being half Hippo and half Cat. I got a good kick out of it.
Bigot – A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs.
Hmmmm ….. I think those espousing this app is to be removed due to bigotry need to be careful as well.
I’m gay and while I do not object to anyone having an opinion against homosexuality, I do object to an application that could potentially cause young people depression, mental problems and suicidal tendencies. This app could potentially cost lives. Does anyone really support that?
Bigot.
woosch!
As much as I think this app sucks I defend it’s right to exist. I hold freedom of speech and thought in higher regard than even blotting out things I don’t like.
Sadly, I don’t think you understand what HATE really is.
I use fact to back my opinion, I state what is provable and do so in defense of statements meant to counter falsehoods, untruths and mythology diguised as fact. I make a point of treating respondants with the same degree of respect I am shown and I sincerely try to be cordial.
Do I come across as an ass sometimes? Yes, I do. Do I care? No, I do not.
I do NOT, however, sit back and pretend that it is OK for a section of a society ANYWHERE to force unfounded, backward and nonsensical belief in mythology on their peers or the society others must, by nature of simple proximity, be part of. To do so is inherently immoral and should not be tolerated by ANY civil society at any time.
These are the same groups who protest the funerals of others with signs reading “God Hates Fags” and worse. They refuse to allow stem cell research which could save the lives of millions but a bundle of non-sentient cells are more important because some slack jawed yokel says so at a pulpit? No, thank you, sir. These are the same people who will applaud the murder of a doctor because he felt a woman has the right to make her own reproductive choices more than they do. They try to rewrite historical facts in school textbooks to reflect their specific fantasy views and discount science in favour of mythology because it suits their purpose of expecting everyone else to live within their rules, like it or not.
They stand in front of congregations and preach the evils of premarital sex, sodomy and oral sex. They ask men to insist that their daughters wear purity rings and enact ceremonies akin to ownership of the young women of their groups and refuse to teach teens about STDs or birth control. They teach laughable abstinence with the expectation that young people will actually follow these impositions and they wonder why there is an abundance of teen pregnancy amongst their sons and daughters. The answer is imposed ignorance intended to dictate morality.
Then there are the men to whom the youngest and most vulnerable members of their congregations are prey. Men who rape, fondle and sodomize the sons and daughters of their followers and are protected by their organizational leaders for fear of bringing their church into disrepute. They can thus avoid punishment and are simply moved to a new hunting ground with fresh, unaware victims.
These are also the people who will kill for dishonour, stone a woman to death, cut off a man’s head for being a non-believer, strangle newborn females and an ongoing list of atrocities.
These are the same people whose influences are constantly working toward a less informed, more pliable and gullible society
To say that our modern society is being held back by these beliefs is not just an understatement but a fact that people should be screaming from the rooftops in an effort to bring our world out of the age of devils and ghosts into the age of reason. If I offend a few people who are so delicate to such criticism in their faith then maybe they should examine why they are followers in the first place. Is it for their own reasons or that of those around them. I know that it is the latter most of the time simply by the effort that is made to try and force these beliefs on the rest of us at every turn in any way possible. There are people whose job is to go from house to house throughout almost every city to “spread the word”. Why do they need to bother everyone else if their beliefs are so devine?
You may be fine with these things and be willing to see them continue and be oblivious to their effect on the world around you but some of us are not.
I am not.
If these beliefs make me a prick, then so be it. I can stand in the light of that criticism and feel secure in what I say and why I say it. You may not like it, I know many do not and I respect that they can disagree with me but they cannot insist that I see things from their perspective when that perspective is based in fantasy and ancient superstitions which I know are not representative of reality.
The sky is not marzipan.
You commenters really disappoint me. There are crazy extremists in every group, whether it be a religious group or not. This app is to support those people who BELIEVE in the Christian faith and way of life. The app is by no means advocating hate. It’s simply trying to help those who are struggling in living as a Christian in this situation. This is whole situation is so absurd. It truly is a spot-on reflection on how America has become the nation of trying to please those who are offended.
If you want to live the Christian way of life and are struggling with this, then this app is for you. If you believe in the Bible, then you believe that homosexuality is a sin. That’s all there is to it. You do not get to pick and choose what is a sin and what is not. If that was the case, then 99% of Christians would most likely “choose” that sex before marriage is not a sin. Everyone sins. It’s as simple as that. Christians do not shun homosexuals, and nor does this app.
For the record, solomon_rex bluntly said it right, but not in the best manner. Andrew Hanson is obviously sarcastic, but it’s TRULY how people are starting to act. As for Wirehedd, you really need to calm down. You obviously don’t share the Christian faith, so don’t try and preach to those who do.
“We are helping those who have unwanted same-sex attractions. Those who are gay or identify themselves that way, in no way, shape or form are we trying to speak to their position or trying to impose anything upon them,” Jeff Buchanan
He could not have said it any better.
freedom of speech is for the government (Constitutional Law) not Walmart (Administrative Law).
i can’t drop my wing-wang in the soda machine at 7-11, and claim it’s my civil right to do so.
it’s apple’s store and they can do what ever the hell they want with it.
so long as their policy doesn’t violate federal, state ,or local apple doesn’t owe you jack Drew.
Interesting.
While I respect your opinion as being how you feel and I appreciate the urge to “calm down” please allow me to share something with you from your own post. With a small variance I would like you to think about this sentence from your post…
“You obviously don’t share the Christian faith, so don’t try and preach to those who do.”
Now with a mere reversal of the syntax.
“You obviously share the Christian faith, so try and preach to those who don’t.”
A minor edit and your advice becomes a tenet of the very beliefs I speak of.
I should not do what they insist upon. May I ask why?
Stop trying to deviate with your anti-religious rhetoric. The reality is that the gay agenda does not believe in free speech, claims anyone who disagrees with them is bigoted. That is fact, evidence.
….but they are to listen to your beliefs? And you suggest that Christians should be accountable …. and yet you suggest “If these beliefs make me a prick, then so be it”
Hypocrisy much?
PS Bigot – a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs.
You are screaming at the mirror.
There is much evidence. The bible is actually one of the most well documented ancient writings that we have. Jesus is acknowledged by every major religion. My statement was not a joke and it was very clear. Do your research before you open your mouth.
Many men have set out to disprove the that there is a God and that the bible is false, but they have failed and many come to understand the truth.
One of these men is Lee Strobel who was a investigative reporter and he wrote a book called “The Case for Christ” it has also been made into a movie. It can be found on netflix in instant play if you care to hear the evidence.
Are you serious????
I have no problem with leaving the “Gay Cure” app in the Apple store, as long the organization that created it and those who defend it agree to have no objection when someone posts an app that helps cure people of their Christianity.
Oh, yes, the good old “nazi” argument…
You did insert editorial comment: “It is hard to imagine that Apple reviewed the content and believed that no one might take issue with statements like…” That statement means you assume that anyone that does not believe in your view of homosexuality must be wrong and and that Apple shares [or should share] your view.
Further, Apple has already made a policy decision about all apps under section 3.3.12 of the developer policy, thus you can not reasonably be seeking to get a response from Apple about the app.
This story was an effort to impose your belief system on Apple and it worked because you kept it in the headlines.
Activist journalism FTW!
“obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs.” Yet I can defend my assertions with fact, research and evidence as opposed to simply regurgitating millennia old dogma which has little or nor relevance in the world which we now live other than as a hindrance and obstacle.
We know where lightning comes from, we know why crops fail or thrive and we know what causes disease and death through science and analysis. We have no need of spirits and gods causing mischief due to our lack of piety for their whims. We know better. At least most of us do.
So by standing against the things the fantasy and mythology represent I am a bigot? Were I insisting that people mistreat and view others as less than human based on nothing other than subjective ideas of primitive morality I would be perfectly acceptable? Not to anyone with a mind beyond the 15th century.
Should we also insist that the Taliban be left alone in the acts of horrific violence they feel are representative of what a book written 1300 years ago says is appropriate? Are we all bigots for stating that the barbarity they impose on women and children, gays and the disabled are perfectly acceptable? Of course not.
Should people who draw a picture of what could be an interpretation of what a specific deity looks like be murdered in the streets for such a drawing? Of course not. Should we stand up for their belief that to do so is within their rights of freedom of religion? Obviously not.
Maybe the notion that no matter how evil an act it’s perpetrator need merely claim he has asked his deity to forgive him and as such he has been forgiven and allow him to go along his merry way. Some seem to think so. I do not.
Yet the minute someone is willing to stand and speak truth to power against those who would impose their more local and yet, no less backward and damaging beliefs they are to be labeled a bigot or worse. So be it.
I am not “screaming in the mirror” as you quite eloquently state but am simply trying to raise a voice of reason and intellect above the din of superstition, fantasy and mythology that seems to be more and more pervasive in our culture as a backlash to the influences of those who may be a bit darker skinned, speak another language or whose alternative fantasy and mythology drive them to commit vile and barbaric acts against other members of their own species because some fantastical celestial super being supposedly says they should.
Would you say the same of those who stand against the Taliban? Shining Path? Moonies? Arsenic laced kool aid? Suicide pacts to meet a spacecraft disguised as a comet? I doubt it.
The degree of hypocrisy people are capable of in defense of religion is astounding and frightening. Some day the human race will realize the degree of damage these beliefs have caused but sadly, it may take a few millions more deaths as a result of the ongoing crusades that ware being waged in the names of beings that do not exist.
When the day comes that we finally outgrow the need for devils and ghosts and deities we will finally understand what real freedom and understanding are. Not until.
There is absolutely no genuine archeological proof whatsoever of anything you speak of. I have done much more research than you seem to be aware of.
gay agenda? You obviously are in no position mentally to discuss this with as you obviously have no clue about reality. Probably watch Glen Beck and his assorted collection of ass clown cohorts as well.
You also have no concept of what fact or evidence are either. Back to the kiddie table with you. You are dismissed.
Extreme in example yes, but sadly applicable.
Faggot.
Nigger.
Sure. In fact, I am going to be a multi-millionaire, and when I am, I’m going to fucking kill all of those that opposed me. here’s to the future of mankind! cheers!!!!
and you are the “ridiculous opposite end of the spectrum” that no body gives a shit about. go rot in your filthy slime you fucking piece of shit ape nigger
If only I could be a politically correct liberal kike like you