Exodus Breakaway Restoring Hope Conference to Resuscitate Conversion Therapy

 

 

By Melanie Nathan, September 12, 2012

 

A peaceful protest is being organized by the California and Sacramento LGBT community against the Exodus breakaway Restored Hope Network, who  are having a Conference in Fair Oaks, (Sacramento) in their futile attempt to Resuscitate discredited Conversion therapy (Protests – September 22nd beginning at 8:30 am at the Sunrise Community Church, 8321 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA 95628.)

 

A group of ministries once affiliated with Exodus International broke away and formed the Restored Hope Network. The first conference of the network will be held September 21-22 in Sacramento, CA. At that conference, the current group of leaders will more formally organize into an Exodus-like entity. – Mission Statement for “Restored Hope Network” – “Restored Hope is a membership governed network dedicated to restoring hope to those broken by sexual and relational sin, especially those impacted by homosexuality. We proclaim that Jesus Christ has life-changing power for all who submit to Christ as Lord; we also seek to equip His church to impart that transformation.”

 

According to an article by LGBT activist Ken Pierce:

 

The American Psychological Association defines conversion therapy as therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation. The American Psychiatric Association has condemned this type of psychiatric “treatment” which is “based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the assumption that a person should change his/her sexual orientation.”

 

Seattle psychologist, Douglas C. Haldeman wrote, “There are two major concerns about the ‘rehabilitation’ of homosexual men and woman. First, conversion therapies have long been questioned as to professional ethical standards. Second, empirical studies fail to show any evidence that conversion therapies do what they purport to do: change sexual orientation.”

 

Exodus International, the largest ex-gay organization in the world, has recently announced that they do not endorse conversion therapy, that “99.99% of all their participants have not changed their sexual orientation and that celibacy is the only option for gay and lesbian people”.

 

Stephen Hallett, law student of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law here in Sacramento and survivor of conversion therapy explained, “Many organizations formally affiliated with Exodus were not happy and wished to continue to perpetuate the discredited affirmation that gay and lesbian people can change.”

 

One such group, calling itself the “Restored Hope Network,” is composed of former Exodus affiliates and includes the most extreme elements of the ex-gay movement. They tell scared lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) young people that “they can be straight if they try and pray hard enough and they will tell parents of LGBT people that is was their fought their children are gay, and that they must always try to change their children.”

 

Restored Hope Network’s inaugural event will be in Fair Oaks at Sunrise Community Church, September 21-22, 2012. On their web site, Sunrise, under Pastor Carl Conli explains their ministry “has proclaimed that there is victory over homosexuality. Hundreds of men and women can testify to the healing that comes through submitting your life to Jesus Christ. Parents, spouses, children and friends have also victory through HIS Ministry at Sunrise.”

 

California’s Legislature recently passed SB 1172. The bill is written as, “Existing law provides for licensing and regulation of various professions in the healing arts, including physicians and surgeons, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, educational psychologists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional clinical counselors.”

 

“The bill would prohibit a mental health provider, as defined, from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts, as defined, with a patient under 18 years of age. The bill would provide that any sexual orientation change efforts attempted on a patient under 18 years of age by a mental health provider shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall subject the provider to discipline by the provider’s licensing entity.”

 

It is unclear if a religious organization that proposes to children, even if a parent gives permission, they can simply “pray the gay away” would be open to legal repercussions. Certainly they would be open to an outside organization bringing a lawsuit to the religious organization to test the legal waters.

 

Hallett says, “It is important that those who are organizing this event know that Sacramento County does not support discrimination against the LGBT community. It is equally as important that those who choose to (or is coerced) participate in these programs because of fear, shame, and self-hatred knows that there is a way out.”

 

This is the outrageous jargon used by Restored Hope to rebirth the EXODUS debacle……

 

THE RESTORED HOPE NETWORK SAYS ABOUT ITS LAUNCH:-

 

 

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If you are interested in attending the ANTI New Hope Network protest please see the Facebook page at:

 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/ken-pierce/action-alert-protest-planned-for-conversion-therapy-group-at-sunrise-community-c/10151152602524525

 

ANTI- RESTORING HOPE NETWORK PROTESTS ORGANIZED BY : Stephan Hallett – Protest Organizer – Conversion Therapy Survivor

 

WHAT: Protest of anti-gay conversion therapy organization, Restored Hope Network.

 

WHEN: Saturday, September 22, 2012, 8:30AM

 

WHERE: Sunset Community Church – 8321 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA 95628.

 

NOTE: If you plan on participating in this protest note that it will be a peaceful protest. We will not step foot on the property or park on the church’s parking lot. We will assemble along the sidewalk in front of the church and will not impede anyone from entering the church or walking on the sidewalk. PLEASE read the following article so you will be informed in case you are asked by media for an interview.

 

PROTESTS AGAINST SUNRISE COMMUNITY CHURCH AND RESTORING HOPE NETWORK: