RICHMOND, Va.--As the dust settles after the Supreme Court’s controversial decision on the legalization of homosexual marriage across the country, many churches are wondering, “What now?”
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX, www.pfox.org), the nation’s leading advocacy organization that offers love and support to families and friends of individuals with unwanted same-sex attractions and gender confusion, is there to help. Through its Safe Exit program for churches, PFOX offers resources and expert speakers to help wade through the intricacies of an ever-changing culture.
“Safe Exit was designed to help churches open their doors to those who are struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions and gender confusion, as well as those who have left the homosexual lifestyle,” said PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs. “But now, courts, policies, lawmakers and homosexual activists are pushing for approval of homosexuality and its behavior, and churches must be equipped to deal with this and move forward while still maintaining and communicating God’s truth and protecting their own religious liberties.”
Griggs said this navigation while providing hope and support will be a challenge for churchgoers and Christians in general.
“Many families and friends of homosexual loved ones will have to battle biblical beliefs if asked to attend a homosexual wedding, as they will become a witness,” she continued. “Do we remain silent when the officiant asks if there is any reason that the two should not be married? Our silence is, in fact, a form of forced affirmation. Do we park our beliefs at the door when we attend? How do Christians respond? We love unconditionally, but as Christians we cannot deny truth. God created marriage, in His image he created them male and female.”
Griggs added that research as well as the personal experiences of ex-gays have shown that homosexuality is fluid so, therefore, the definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years should not have been changed. Visitors to www.pfox.org can also listen to personal stories of ex-gays who share about their lives and their decision to change.
David Pickup is one of the stories featured on the PFOX web site. Pickup, a speaker for Safe Exit, says the marriage issue is not about gay marriage, but actually about the normalization of homosexuality within the fabric of every state of the union.
“Love is not love without truth, and the truth is that homosexuality is not inborn,” Pickup said. “Science and anecdotal evidence prove this. Homosexuality is really about the desperate search for love due to debilitating gender identity inferiority and unmet needs for love in childhood; something no child deserves. PFOX stands for truth and compassion, knowing that while every human being has the right to decide these issues for themselves, we will stand for the truth in love.
“We remain committed to those who know that, for them, homosexuality is ultimately filled with heartache and unfulfilled needs,” he continued. “We are committed to those individuals who have found authentic change in therapy, spirituality, unconditional love, and finding a safe exit for themselves. We are happy to be one institution that provides a safe exit for those on that path.”
Griggs says thousands of men and women with unwanted same sex attractions and gender confusion make the personal decision to leave their homosexual lifestyle and identity and seek support and help from churches in their journey. Churches interested in finding out more about Safe Exit can visit www.pfox.org/safe-exit/.
PFOX is also planning its annual Safe Exit Summit on Oct. 2-3, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Register at www.safeexitsummit.org/register.html.
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX, www.pfox.org), the nation’s leading advocacy organization that offers love and support to families and friends of individuals with unwanted same-sex attractions and gender confusion, is there to help. Through its Safe Exit program for churches, PFOX offers resources and expert speakers to help wade through the intricacies of an ever-changing culture.
“Safe Exit was designed to help churches open their doors to those who are struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions and gender confusion, as well as those who have left the homosexual lifestyle,” said PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs. “But now, courts, policies, lawmakers and homosexual activists are pushing for approval of homosexuality and its behavior, and churches must be equipped to deal with this and move forward while still maintaining and communicating God’s truth and protecting their own religious liberties.”
Griggs said this navigation while providing hope and support will be a challenge for churchgoers and Christians in general.
“Many families and friends of homosexual loved ones will have to battle biblical beliefs if asked to attend a homosexual wedding, as they will become a witness,” she continued. “Do we remain silent when the officiant asks if there is any reason that the two should not be married? Our silence is, in fact, a form of forced affirmation. Do we park our beliefs at the door when we attend? How do Christians respond? We love unconditionally, but as Christians we cannot deny truth. God created marriage, in His image he created them male and female.”
Griggs added that research as well as the personal experiences of ex-gays have shown that homosexuality is fluid so, therefore, the definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years should not have been changed. Visitors to www.pfox.org can also listen to personal stories of ex-gays who share about their lives and their decision to change.
David Pickup is one of the stories featured on the PFOX web site. Pickup, a speaker for Safe Exit, says the marriage issue is not about gay marriage, but actually about the normalization of homosexuality within the fabric of every state of the union.
“Love is not love without truth, and the truth is that homosexuality is not inborn,” Pickup said. “Science and anecdotal evidence prove this. Homosexuality is really about the desperate search for love due to debilitating gender identity inferiority and unmet needs for love in childhood; something no child deserves. PFOX stands for truth and compassion, knowing that while every human being has the right to decide these issues for themselves, we will stand for the truth in love.
“We remain committed to those who know that, for them, homosexuality is ultimately filled with heartache and unfulfilled needs,” he continued. “We are committed to those individuals who have found authentic change in therapy, spirituality, unconditional love, and finding a safe exit for themselves. We are happy to be one institution that provides a safe exit for those on that path.”
Griggs says thousands of men and women with unwanted same sex attractions and gender confusion make the personal decision to leave their homosexual lifestyle and identity and seek support and help from churches in their journey. Churches interested in finding out more about Safe Exit can visit www.pfox.org/safe-exit/.
PFOX is also planning its annual Safe Exit Summit on Oct. 2-3, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Register at www.safeexitsummit.org/register.html.