Black Connecticut church focus of gay teen "exorcism" video

Someone e-mailed this to me several weeks ago. I found it very disturbing then and I find it equally disturbing now. It's sad to think that some beliefs lead to this ignorant behavior.

Pure bufoonery, homosexuality is not a demon, it's who a person is, it's a lifestyle that no one chooes..Praying hands over someone is not going to change who they are, as a matter of fact this poor teen probably feels even more depressed and more likely to attempt suicide..This loon performing this exorcism is no more of a prophet than I am.

Organized religion offers nothing to humanity!

oh lawd - you knew this was trouble when the title of the first vid includes the preacher referring to himself as the "overseer"? Really? Does that make Freddie and Sis. Jenkins 'nem all slaves? And, why did they keep throwing "the blanket" over Freddie? He wasn't wearing a dress! LOL - That is reserved for Sis. Jenkins when she is rolling on the floor, drunk in the spirit so those wondering-eyed deacons won't try to look up her skirt and see her girdle holding on for dear life... This is too many things...LOL

I also saw this a few weeks ago and i was not terribly alarmed. there are alot of things that go on in these storefront churches and rarely is the general public exposed to them. Whoevery uploaded this to youtube probably thought this would be beneficial to the church, but the reality is it is having the opposite effect.

It would be interesting to see what happens to this boy afterwards. To see if he goes back to being a homosexual or something else......hetersexual.

It is hard indeed to see adults with the mindset of a child.

It is hard indeed to see adults with the mindset of a child.

I read in the Bible where Jesus cast out all kinds of evil spirits, and I also believe the Bible states that we will do not only these same things but greater. I beg to differ with the comment that say this is a life that no one chooses, thats to imply that God made a mistake and we know that's not true. Everyone of us have a choice and a will, that's the thing that God gave us. Our job is to choose righteousness and STRIVE to walk in it daily, and to know what God's righteousness is, is to seek God for the answers all the time. We are not seeking for man's righteousness is but God's. Read your Bibles for the righteous instructions.

Your bible also informs you never to instruct men if you are a women...but do you follow it?

I did not see the entire video and feel less than qualified to comment on it. I know from my own spiritual experiences, the first transgression of significance, which went against God’s organization of True Love was the act of homosexuality. It was done by the angels… principally Lucifer. Through generations man has had contact with both deviant angels and the spirit of people who have engaged in a homosexual lifestyle and who are an influence around them even before they are physically born. It’s very hard to cast them out. How well it works and how it will ultimately improve a person’s situation is very much case by case. Don’t fool yourselves friends, this phenomena is a reality and homosexuality is an unfortunate lifestyle choice that causes suffering when, after your physical life ends, your spiritual essence assumes its place in the spiritual realm. Homosexuality must be addressed and with both human and divine effort, will eventually come to an end in the realm of human conduct.

A fool and his money are soon parted with religion as the perfect backdrop. It's prophet...for profit.

Man through his own disobedience has no knowledge or understanding of the spiritual forces the soul deals with everyday. Man without that knowledge only understand this physical world. However Saint Paul tells us that we deal with principalities of darkness, and we need not fear those that can harm our flesh, but we should fear those that can destroy your soul (speaking of demons). Man does not believe in a soul nor does he believe in a spirit since he has no knowledge of God. In fact man is completely separated from any knowledge that there is a God. It is only when Gods Holy Spirit comes to dwell in man through acceptance as Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior that man comes into the presence of God. Only then does God have any meaning to man on Earth. So no matter how muny insults go on here against God, religion, etc., the fact is, God doesn't even know you exist. You have to be a Christian for your words to have any meaning whatsoever to God. He does not here non-believers, except your complete confession of your sins to Him and accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. Then and only then will He ever hear you. Otherwise you're wasting your time trying to piss Him off.

Enough with these churches and organized religion. Some of the so called "christians" on this site are trying to justify this insane behavior by preaching their "scripture" Religion is the reason for a lot of the problems in the world today. Everyone things they're right and know god best. For the ignorant christians on here, homosexuality is not a choice and it exists in all species in this world. Get you're heads out of you're a## and actually learn something.

miker: smoke some Durban Poison. Will save you.

What would it be if it was another way around that is trying to beat the Gay out of this person when someone else say this? "You black demon, get up on outta here!" they say. "You black demon, loose yourself!" "You black sex demon ... you black snake!" You cannot remove the gay out of the person as well as the black vice-versa of a white as well. Its belief that the priest needs to have cultural understanding courses instead of being holy that has the power just as Jesus has. Let it alone than trying to change the course of anyone.

According to the article, the boy asked the church for help. If so, then nobody's opinion matters. It is their rights to believe what they believe. That's why this is America and not China. It is not my beliefs, but nobody has the right to judge them so harshly. The Gay community needs to shut the f up already. It seems like the only time they support freedom of speach is when they agree with what is spoken. The key ingredient to the freedoms America provides is rules based on objective thought. Our founding fathers created this democracy because the rules in Europe were decided on a whim by whomever had power to make them.

The second coming is upon us. In fact he is among us. His Name is Miker. Hi God/Miker! You fool!!

I did not see this video, so I cannot comment except on what was reported here and on CNN. According to what I have read, the boy sought help from a gay counseling source, and then this church, to try and come to peace with his sexuality and his desire for membership in the church. Apparently he either wanted not to be gay, or be gay and a Christian at the same time. Since he did not feel he got the help he needed from the gay counseling source, he turned to the church. So, this was voluntary on his part. However, his age brings up some legal questions about activities concerning minors and the lasting psychological effects of this "exorcism". The issue is a sensitive one. For people who want to be valid members of a group, and the group has rules and requirements, there can be conflicts. Apparently, to be a member of this church, the person can't be gay, pure and simple. However, this person could find other Christian churches that do embrace homosexuals. The MCC church is a perfect example. Many Unitarian churches also have no issue with homosexuality. We read in the news about the sensationalist churches that condemn homosexuality and homosexuals, but not about the other churches which embrace homosexuals. Not all churches are exclusive. It is possible, though rare, to be both an active member of a Christin church and a homosexual and be embraced in both areas. One has to do the research (the Internet is a great source of finding Christian churches that embrace homosexuals), which this boy apparently did not do. Or perhaps the attraction of this particular church was so strong that the boy saw no alternatives. The problem here is that the church in question rejects homosexuals. That's their choice. While this story is sensational, in fairness, the church does have license to help the boy in the way they know, or think they know, best. He did ask them. They are following their beliefs, however one may feel about them. One has to allow for that. What comes into question here, and it should also come into question with other strict churches, is if they are causing psychological harm to someone. If so, and it can be proved, then society has a means, the law and protection of citizens, to intervene. Otherwise, it's an unfortunate situation, but not really anyone's business except for those involved. Sorry, but common sense has to rule here, not emotionalism.

Horrifying isn't it? We can put a man on the Moon, but can't get religion out of our lives. Miker, Valerie, that you stop to defend and justify only puts you in the same class of 'Utterly Clueless' as the fools in this video. Shame....

The Bible doesn't teach that you go to Hell if you're a Homosexual. The Bible teaches that it's wrong, but it also teaches that lying, gluttony, and stealing (among others) are also wrong. We are all sinners and fall short of what it takes to be perfect in God's eyes...but He loves us all unconditionally and that is why He sent His only son Jesus to live among us perfectly, and then be sacrificed so that we could live. The Bible teaches that regardless of what sin you struggle with, if you confess that with your mouth and believe that Jesus has paid for that, and accept the free gift...you will spend eternity in Heaven. Homosexuals are to be accepted into churches just as lyers, cheaters, and gluttons are. How will anyone know Christ and how much he loves them if they are consistently shunned by the very body of people that is supposed to show them?

Cnett - apparently you don't read your Bible. Read it to make sure you don't mislead anyone. 1 Cor 6:9 says effiminate & homos will not enter into the kingdom of God. Yes, we all have sinned & made mistakes. God is there 2 forgive us when we trip up & sin. However, Rom 6:1 says shall we continue 2 sin that grace may abound? NOOO! 1John 3:8 He that continuously commits sin is of the devil. Esau confessed Jesus, he begged & cried and repented. Yet, he was rejected. Esau & Saul were rejected. Don't get mad at the messenger. Get mad at the message (Bible). The Bible is full of demon possessed people getting them cast out! Mark 16:15 Jesus Himself said that believers would cast out devils in his name.

I know better than to be amazed, but it still amazes me how ignorant religious people can be. This Christian church probably messed up that gay teen psychologically for the rest of his life. If this teen did seek help from this church, the only acceptable option was to help this kid to accept himself for who he is. Hell will freeze over before he changes from gay to heterosexual, because homosexuality is not a choice. Let me repeat again that homosexuality is not a choice, unless you want to rewrite scientific facts.

T. Allen, he will grow up to be a "homo-killer", or beat his first lover, or kill himself slowly or quick. And we wonder why the gay community has so many mental health cases walking around. Gotta love the church!

Did not the cult of the Johavah's Witnesses contribute to the making of Michael Jackson?

I think they did. Preachers of hate.

Blacks should abandon the religion - Christianity, which White masters forced on Blacks after banned and destroyed their original root religions.

Nhlanhla: I believe you are correct. What you said about Michael Jackson and the cult of the Jehovah’s Witnesses seems to ring a bell in my head. My view of religion is that it is a controlling force preying on weak minded people who have trouble thinking for themselves.

Isn't it evidence of their falseness that religious people claim to be able to work miracles,but only in areas where its hard to tell if their cures will work or not;For example:You never see them do a miracle such as grow a leg for a man who lost one.

While you at it, religious freaks, why not make a video of someone killing their bratty sassy mouth kids. The BIBLE says to KILL a child that talks back to an adult. Try that for a change. NUTS!!!

As a Christian, I do believe that people can be born with homosexual tendencies. For we are born in sin and shapen in iniquity. The human nature, absent of the Holy Spirit is full of sin, for in the heart lies every wicked imagination. If a child is not led and taught to go in the correct path, they will go down the wrong path, This is an example of the wickedness of human nature. It is also why our children are facing so many problems, because of their lack of direction and instruction. It is dangerous to call on the abandonment of the Church, for in it, lies all of our salvation. God, in his wisdom, saw the flaws of man in his human nature, homosexuality and all, and sent his Son, Jesus to die for our human nature so that all who believe on Him shall not perish, but have eternal live. It is only through the Holy Spirit, can we be saved. This exorcism may not have been right, but every "church" is not under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In talking with a friend who is a Episcopal priest several years back about exorcism (yes, mainstream churches actually do them), he said there's actually a pretty high standard that has to be reached before there's an actually determination that an exorcism has to take place and when it does, it actually could take some time as in years. What I question is the need to make public what should be a private religious matter, and one that should be treated with due seriousness and not as an advertisement (because I'm sorry, that's exactly what it is) as a 'cure' for homosexuality. To me, that's a misuse of a spiritual gift - it becomes all about the person who is wielding it; it's about pride - something no one is immune to. If the exorcism wasn't 'right' (how many of us actually know what would be a *right* exorcism if we saw/heard it?) then the possibility of damaging someone spiritually and mentally is pretty high.

For nina: What about this? Would you find it offensive but justifiable? Exorcse the Black Spirit out of you As a Christian, I do believe that people can be born BLACK. For we are born in sin and shapen in iniquity. The human nature, absent of the Holy Spirit is full of sin, for in the heart lies every wicked imagination. If a child is not led and taught to go in the correct path, they will go down the wrong path, This is an example of the wickedness of human nature. It is also why our children are facing so many problems, because of their lack of direction and instruction. It is dangerous to call on the abandonment of the Church, for in it, lies all of our salvation. God, in his wisdom, saw the flaws of man in his human nature, BLACK and all, and sent his Son, Jesus, THE WHITE MAN, to die for our human nature so that all who believe on Him shall not perish, but have eternal live. It is only through the Holy Spirit, can we be saved. This exorcism may not have been right, but every "church" is not under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I'm Black, I'm young (25) and I'm gay. I grew up in the "Black" church and one reason I am no longer associated with it is because I know I am gay and they don't "honestly" preach love of ALL people. How can the Black church turn around and preach the nonacceptance of gays when it wasn't even a century ago that we as Black people weren't accepted by the society that we live in? It's reverse racism. It's wrong. However, I must say, each person does have their free will of choice; and if that child asked for help, then that's his right. He, like I did years ago, is just looking for a solution to something that he cannot change. He cannot change being Black, and he cannot change being gay. Period. I traveled that road years ago, and I'm glad I dedided to give up the fight and be the man that God made me. Some are Black; Some are White; Some are male; Some are female; Some are homosexual; Some are heterosexual; Some are bisexual. When we all learn to love and accept one another for who we are, then we truly fight against the true blasphemy, and that's being anyone other than who God made us. Best Wishes To All That Shared. :)

The problem with religion is that it has presumed itself onto the stage with legitmate ideas. It pushes its way into law, scientific research and intellectual debate without a single shred of proof, relying on peer pressure to overwhelm rational thought. This would be unthinkable for any other remnant of the bronze age. It is time to stop the exorcisms, snake handling and witchery in order to embrace reason. The teenager in this video is a victim of abuse at the hands of superstitious fools. "When you believe in things that you dont understand, Then you suffer, Superstition aint the way"- Stevie Wonder

I'm in the camp that believes homosexual sex is a choice. Let me explain why that position makes sense to me. The only thing that differentiates a homosexual from a hetrosexual is the gender we each choose to have sex with -- that's the only real difference. There's nothing physiological or biological that forces two men to have sex or that forces a man and a woman to have sex. We have complete control (sometimes we may act like we don't have control)but we do have control over whether we engage in sex with an opposite sex partner or a same sex partner.
For those who think homosexual sex is not a choice what do we say about bisexual people? Do we think they are somehow wired in such a way that they can't help having sex with both men and women or are they simply individuals who have made a choice to experiment sexually with both men and women? I think it's the latter.
I'm also in the camp that reads the Bible to say homosexual sex is a sin right along with the other sexual sins outlined in the Bible -- fornication and adultery. When you cross the line into sex that's where the Bible starts defining certain behavior as a sin. A close relationship between a single man and a single woman is fine but if they decide to add sex to that (unwed) relationship, then it's fornication and we've crossed over into sin. Likewise a platonic relationship between a married man and a single woman is fine, but if they decide to add sex to that relationship then it's adultery and we've crossed over into sin. A close relationship between two men or between two women is fine, but if they decide to add sex to that relationship then it's homosexuality and we've crossed over into sin. I think our sexual behavior is clearly a choice. Geeeezzz the world would be an even scarier place if it wasn't.
In terms of a Biblical understanding of sexually immoral behavior I put fornication, adultery and homosexuality all in the same bag -- insofar as how the Bible defines sexual immorality. Homosexuality clearly takes the worst rap because society does not discriminate against fornicators and adulterers the way it does homosexuals -- probably because too many of the rest of us are fornicators and adulterers. By the same token fornicators and adulterers aren't trying to claim that that behavior is not a sin and insisting the rest of society say the same as homosexuals seem to be.

Uh, Robin, I hate to the prognosticator of bad news but our biology is inherent in our sexual behavior just like every other living creature on the planet. Heck, through gene and hormonal therapy we can change the sexual preference in lab animals. We could do the same in humans aside from the obvious ethical problems such experiments present. We're just animals though. All the current science points to homosexuality as being a biological trait that can be influenced by one's environment but is far from a choice. Depending on the degree you can have bisexuality: people with no inherent preference. There are sexual dimorphic traits that seem to cross-over in people who are wholly homosexual. Hormonal differences and differences in lower brain function area sizes. These are portions of the brain that are fixed at birth. There is also the consistent proportion of homosexuals in the human population and the fact that no culture has ever been able to reduce that proportion. Oh, and there's the common sense factor that nobody would ever choose to be in a portion of the populace that is discriminated against and in some countries executed. As for your biblical factoring of things? That means nothing in the real world. The bible is a story book and nothing more. In fact in the main story always cited as proof of homosexuality being a sin Lot offers his virginal, unmarried daughters to the crowd to be raped instead. Make sense of that crap. Sorry, but a bunch of guys two and a half thousand years ago had no clue about biology or, really much of anything.

Ian -- I have to take issue with your statement that the Biblical factor means nothing to the real world. Whether you accept the Bible as an authority or you don't -- whether you believe in God or you don't -- the Biblical factor is central to society's angst and conflict around the issue of homosexuality. The Biblical contention that homosexuality is a sin is precisely the reason for most if not all of the contentious issues around homosexuality. Whatever you think about religion it's delusional to deny it's impact and importance in the world at large and in forming people's beliefs about right and wrong. That story you cite about Lot -- some people read that as indicative of just what an abomination homosexual sex was to God -- so much so that it was better to offer the virginal daughters up for sex than allow two men to engage in sex acts. I'm not attempting to argue the Bible with you. I am simply acknowledging the role and impact of the Bible in the discussion around homosexuality because homosexuality is largely viewed as a moral issue.

Secondly you didn't really address my point regarding homosexual sex being a choice. Gene therapy, hormone therapy, studies about sexual preference do not give rise to a biological component that either makes, forces or requires one human being to have sex with a male as opposed to female or vice versa. The fact that you may be attracted to someone, attracted to one sex or the other does not mean you therefore lack control when it comes to engaging in a sex act. Sexual behavior is not akin to breathing. With sex you have a choice about what you do and with whom you do it.
My point is there is nothing physiological stopping gay men from having sex with women or straight men from having sex with other men. The only thing stopping us is own minds, our own choices. Unlike race I can't stop myself from physically looking like a black person. I can however stop myself from having sex with another woman or with a man for that matter. We have control over our sexual behavior. Whether we're wired to be attracted to men, women, young boys, young girls, both men and women, other animal species I don't know -- I do know we have control over our sexual behavior and our sexual choices irregardless of who or what we may be attracted to.

As for the common sense factor (i.e., "nobody would ever choose to be in a portion of the populace that is discriminated against and in some countries executed") not necessarily. People choose things that have deleterious effects all the time. For some people once they've experienced homosexual sex they may get caught-up in liking it so much that the trade off is worth it to them.

Robin: Catholic priests are a prefect example of the havoc that can be caused by a person denying his/her sexual urges/desires. Believe it or not, most of those catholic priests are heterosexuals. Do not try to side track this issue by bringing up the subject of pedophilia and bestiality, because they are not the same as homosexuality. Also, you implied that there is nothing preventing homosexuals from satisfying their sexual urges with or opposite sex. Imaging yourself in a situation of being forced to have sex with women. What would be your reaction then?

MLee -- Your point escapes me. The underlying conflict regarding homosexuality is whether you regard it as a sin, whether you see as immoral sexual conduct or whether you think it's perfectly okay -- nothing immoral about homosexual sex. Starting from that premise I cannot accept your suggestion that Catholic priests (who as you say were quite likely heterosexual) molested young boys because the priesthood forced them to deny their sexual urges/desires. By that logic I presume you can excuse the adulterer who works with the cute, sexy, flirtations young secretary everyday, 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, every week, year after year after year, when he finally succumbs to his carnal nature and has a sexual relationship with her.

Regarding your other point -- you don't get the point I'm addressing. Ian an I were debating whether there is a physiological/biological component that COMPELLS some people to have same sex sex and others to have opposite sex sex. I say there is not. I say I am free to have sex with a man or women based on my free choice, based on what my own mind tells me to do just as gay men and women are free to the same as their minds tell them. Unlike having black skin which is a physiological fact not subject to control by my own mind. No one is talking about forcing gay men to have sex with women. The point is we control over our sexual behavior by the choices we make and there is nothing physiological forcing us to have sex with one gender or the other or to have no sex at all. We determine what we do or don't do sexually by the decisions we make with our own mind.

Robin, our mind and physiology determine who we are attracted to. A homosexual man is not attracted to women. It is not his choice in any way. Vice verse for a lesbian woman. They are not free to choose who they are sexually attracted to. You are either sexually attracted to one sex or not. The fact of the matter is this: all the current science on homosexuality points to a persons biology being the strongest determining factor in their sexual preference. Obviously we make the choice whether to have sex or not but we do not directly choose what sex we are attracted to. And as for the biblical factor, you're are certainly right that it is the bone of contention in the social factors relating to homosexuality. It's also the bone of contention in many other ludicrous stances in our society such as people who want to teach creationism in school. That doesn't make the rationale any less irrational and infuriating. The fact that people will base what they think is right and wrong on a book written by men and filled with contradictions and outright untruths rather than on rational thought and the best current knowledge is one of the major limiting factors of our society (and others for that matter). Sooner or later, to truly progress as a species we're going to have to leave the illogical entrapment of tradition behind and live in the present. Homosexuality for instance? When the only argument people can raise against it is that it offends their religion, that it's a "sin" yet can offer no rational social justification for not accepting it, as it doesn't harm them in the least, we are living in an illogical society.

Ian -- I'm not going to argue with you about religion. I will however say, I expect the "illogical society" you bemoan we will be with us for the duration as religion ain't going nowhere.

You and I will have to agree to disagree on this one because I stand by my view regarding homosexual "conduct" being a matter of choice. To accept attraction in and of itself as the sole criteria for engaging in a sex act removes the moral component which is the crux of the issue in all sexual matters. You say we can't control who we're attracted to. We are simply slaves to our sexual attractions. I don't necessarily know that that's true. I think there are a variety of cultural and environmental factors that affect our views what is sexually attractive/sexually permissible and that is affected by the morals you learn from a given society.

Robin: I knew my point and for that matter Ian’s point, which was so clearly stated, would completely escape you. However, I could not allow your illogical comments to go unchallenged for the benefit of other open minded posters.

MLee -- Ian and I haven't had a problem understanding each other's point.

Logic is obviously not your strong suit. I'm inclined to think the conversation may well be over your head.

You failed to address the point raised in response to your ridiculous explanation for Catholic priest child abuse. Again, The underlying conflict regarding homosexuality is whether you regard it as a sin, whether you see it as immoral sexual conduct or whether you think it's perfectly okay -- nothing immoral about homosexual sex. Starting from that premise I cannot accept your suggestion that Catholic priests (who as you say were quite likely heterosexual) molested young boys because the priesthood forced them to deny their sexual urges/desires -- and that's what happens when people deny their sexual desires. By that logic I presume you can excuse the adulterer who works with the cute, sexy, flirtatious young secretary everyday, 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, every week, year after year after year, when he finally succumbs to his carnal nature and has a sexual relationship with her.

Robin, I'd say we've reached an impasse and will have to agree to disagree. I base my judgments around the best current science and the simple moral impetus of who and how an activity harms others. In both those lights homosexuality is as natural as heterosexuality. While it is undoubted society helps mold how we view a specific sex as attractive it cannot make us find the opposite sex attractive unless we have the genetic disposition to already find that sex attractive. I also would never say we are utter slaves to our sexuality. We obviously can choose whether or not to engage in sexual activity. What we don't choose is what sex we are sexually attracted to to begin with. I will say, though we are on opposite sides of this issue, it's refreshing to have an intelligent conversation about it that didn't devolve into name calling and internet shouting. So, to sum up as I see it, following both the logical and moral paths to their end I can see no social justification for treating an entire portion of our society, a portion of every society throughout all time for that matter, their due rights and happiness.

Ian -- I too enjoyed the conversation. For the record I fully support equal rights for the LGBT community. There is no justification for discrimination, unequal treatment or mistreatment of any kind on the basis of sexual orientation.

I do however think the gay rights movement has a hard row to hoe in bringing the country around on the question of gay marriage. In my estimation the religious component is very deeply entrenched and I doubt it can be overcome precisely because it is a "religious" component (i.e., grounded in people's "faith" belief system).

My suggestion to resolve the gay marriage issue is take the government out of the marriage business altogether. Change the entire system to civil unions for everyone hetero and homo. Leave "marriage" to the church. Churches could be free to marry whomever they please but the church marriage would carry no legal rights for either gay or straight couples. To obtain the legal rights currently provided cohabitating couples all couples would be required to apply for a civil union. That way we comply with the equal protection requirements of the law because we'd be treating everyone (gay or straight) the same and leave marriage to the purview of religion rather law.

I don't think we are ever going to separate the term "marriage" from the Biblical connotations people associate with it. Many people contend that marriage is an institution established by God. I think our best bet for achieving maritial legal rights for the gay community is to change the whole system to civil unions for all.

See now Robin, we are in utter and complete agreement. If a hard-nosed atheist and a Christian can come to terms with difficult issues like this simply by having respectful conversation it makes me wonder how politicians simply can't do the same. And the solution is wonderfully American: keep government involvement to a minimum and respect that our views differ but neither of our views should be forced on each other by the government. There is no mutual respect without compromise after all.

...That story you cite about Lot -- some people read that as indicative of just what an abomination homosexual sex was to God -- so much so that it was better to offer the virginal daughters up for sex than allow two men to engage in sex acts... This just proves that if god exists, he is a complete psychopath.

BTW, I completely agree with Robin that the government should not be involved in the marriage business. They should be creating financial units of consenting adults and the churches who want to marry gay and lesbian couples could do so without having their first ammendment rights trampled as they are now.

View a wonderful and enligtening video called "For The Bible Tells Me So" by Daniel Karslake.Even Bishop Desmond Tutu weighs in, in favor of the existence of Gay People. He most certainly has deeply studied Scripture. I cannot read ancient Greek or Hebrew, languages originally written Scripturally. If a thousand years from now someone reads about a 'bad car', unless that person knew of the current customs, history of language, culture of our times, etc. one would deduce that the car indeed was no good. We know that bad means it was an excellent car. Also please read a very good book written by a Heterosexual Minister; Robin Scroggs called "The New Testament and Homosexuality" For all you by the Book Bible thumpers, sell your daughters as instructed in Exodus 21:7. Another says you should be stoned to death for working on the Sabbath. Go on my good Christian friends, gather your members and form a vigilante group to stone to death sinners. Leathal Injection shall be your portion. God knew about DNA but let millions of people die or be imprisoned unjustly, until the Mind of Man caught up with the Mind of God. The same is true of human sexuality. History, custom and culture must be the intelligent lense we view scripture. The Jews who wrote the Bible were determined to build their Nation and so all other practices by Pagans were excluded. The sin of Onan who was put to death for spilling his seed on the ground was only a lie because science had not proved that the male seed replenished itself and was not finite. Also they beleived the male seed was implanted in the woman as a seed in the ground. They did not know half a child was from the egg of a woman and half from the sperm of a man. Grow up Christians, Gay People are not Evil Sinners and the World is proven to not be flat! I hope that church and I use the word loosely, is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law for Child Abuse. Read my post on OpenSalon.com under the name Tommie50,"The Letter-The Case for..... I received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award '07 for work in my community for HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse and raised $5,000 to produce a play called "Before It Hits Home" by Cheryl L. West. The play was to help reduce the stigma attached to AIDS. It is not a gay disease and unfortunately a 26 yr. old beautiful Black Sister just died of AIDS, She refused to get treatment which now makes the disease maneageable like high blood pressure or diabetes. She died because she was afraid and left two children. I had to tell her she was positive, after I tested her 5 yrs. ago. I was a guest lecturer for a Counseling class in San Antonio, Tx. on Gay People. What I told them was not to ever try to change that person but to encourage them to be the best they could be, allow no obsticles to deter them from their goals and to respect their bodies and protect it. Coretta Scott King championed Gay Rights before she died and she and her husband were close friends of Bayard Rustin, an openly Gay man who King recruited to organize the 1963 March on Washington. God unites, Satan divides. Which are you and what kind of Christian are you. Black gay children are signifidantly at higher risk for suicide. How many Dr. Kings, Obamas, Bayard Rustins, Sojourner Truths, Harriett Tubmans must we lose to Religious ignorance and persecution. Remember if you are wrong, I would hate to be in your shoes on Judgement Day!

Everybody can't go to heaven -- some have already decided not to.

Robin, you have trully "studied to show your self approved". I too agree with the Government allowing civil unions, because they have an obligation to give equal rights to all citizens and the right of a gay couple to marry is a civil right not a religious one. I am not at all concerned with what gay people do, the laws of this land do not equate to the laws of God. That's where too many people have blurred the line. They believe that America's laws reflect or should reflect God's law. that somehow if you allow gay marriage that this will change what God has said in his word. What america does, does not change what I believe nor will it change God's mind. That's the importance of seperation of church and state. I am more concerned with the church being persecuted for not administering gay unions or denying a gay couple to marry. There are two forms or marriage. when I got married, I had to go to city hall and apply for a license once I received my license it need to be signed by an officiator and I became married. The ceremony had nothing to do with it. whether I had a ceremony or not I would be married in the eyes of the land. the ceremony made me married in the eyes of God. I also agree that this "exorcism" should not have been recorded. Like I said it was not led of God. Not all "churches" belong to God.

Thank you fo rbringing the truth of delivernace and freedom from demonic oppression to the light for the world to see. I also want to thanks the saints of God for the boldness to speak truth in the face of unbelievers, we are called to be lights in the midst of darkness. I applaud the church and their pastor for taking authority over this demonic force and sending it where it belongs...to the become part of the footstool of Jesus. We have been given power over all the works of the enemy...no one "knowingly" wants to be bound, he was in the right place at the right time for his deliverance. I have seen it, lived...been on both side of the spectrum and I not only know this is real, I can testify to it.

This week reports are popping up all across Europe and from people at the Vatican that the celibacy of Catholic priests is one of the main causes of child abuse by straight priests. I pointed this out to nonbelievers in an above post. Of course the Pope still denies this fact.

Desperate measures for these times that are--Desperate! There's not a whole lot of anything and evertything as "the (new) norm" that can be had/enculturated among humankind and humankind still have hope of God's grace! Liars insisting otherwise with and among each other--however loudly, however flamboyantly--isn't going to make it so!

thanks dude

Why was he in almost seizure? I don't get it, was it a demon or not?

What's your twitter account name for following :)

What's your twitter account name for following :)

You know sometimes I think that there is no hope in the black church. Even then when I was making my transition, after being kicked out for coming out. I had to be very careful on the church I attended. I was one of the fortunate ones. I had to study the bible ten times as much as I studied before and not just the bible. I had to history to understand culture and context. I guess my point is that us, black LGBT christian youth, must start studying for ourselves. Having a fourth grade understanding of the bible is good when you're in the fourth grade. Because to be honest we face tough choices, either only be around people who are gay but not christian and some of which hate Christianity or be around people who call themselves Christians who hate LGBT people. There are christian churchs and community that teach the truth. They're hard to find but they go exist. Find one and don't let this happen to you. I have ask pastors in the black community if they had a button that would get rid of all gay people would they press it and most of them said yes. These are not people of God. Period.