From Exodus Responds to Apple Petition to Pull ‘Gay Cure’ App by Christian Post Reporter Katherine T. Phan
The Christian group, under fire by gay rights activists for the so-called “gay cure” app, responded to the controversy Monday, saying its Apple app is being grossly misrepresented.
“In no way shape or form is our message about trying to cure or do we try to promote that type of methodology or message,” Jeff Buchanan, Exodus International’s Senior Director of Church Equipping & Student Ministries, told The Christian Post.
“This is a label (gay cure app) that has been put forth by opponents to the application to serve as propaganda in order to stigmatize and really label the application in a false way and provoking a response such as you are seeing with the application.”
Over 107,477 people have petitioned Apple to remove the Exodus app from the iTunes store. The petition, launched by Truth Wins Out, a LGBT rights group, calls Exodus’ message “hateful” and “bigoted.”
On Monday, Truth Wins Out, whose name is a play on words of Exodus’ Love Won Out conferences, urged more people to sign its petition. In addition to releasing a video on why Apple should remove the app, the LGBT rights group also pledged to continue pressuring Apple until the app is removed, even promising to hold a press conference featuring victims of “ex-gay” programs in front of the company’s offices if their demands are not met.
“We are disheartened at the fact that there are activists who are rising up to silence our voice on the Exodus iTunes platform,” said Buchanan.
“We want to ask that there would be fair and equal representation of religious belief on this platform as is already existing. We would like the spirit of diversity and tolerance that is so valued within the LGBT community.”
The Exodus app, which can be downloaded for free, lets users access the ministry’s events, blog, videos, podcasts, and Facebook page. One feature of the app addresses the topic of bullying from a biblical perspective.
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“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,” he said.
“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. ”
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On the Web: The Exodus International app can be found on the Apple iTunes store.
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