Linked.

Great news C:

Heh.. I was just going to make a post on this. XD

That said, this is great news, if one group can change, then so can the others.

Oh, isn't that nice.

Too bad it doesn't do anything to make up for the psychological torture that group inflicted on thousands of innocent people, and its all-too-often horrifying results. How many people committed suicide because of Exodus International?

These disgusting bastards should be in prison, not walking away just because they pretended to be sad and sorry. They're fucking not.

Took them long enough, but no apology can change the harm they've done to countless innocent people.

I'm very glad they're closing, but an "I'm sorry" is NOT enough to take away the horrible things they did and if affiliates continue, will still do to people not ready to own their sexuality as something given by birth, and not just some choice, like whether to have pie or cake.

Then I ask you this: What else is there for them to do? They have no money, and thus, are folding. Reparations are out of the question, and all they can do is repent, which is what they are essentially doing.

I simply don't understand the jonesing-for-blood attitude. Exodus International hurt a lot of people, yes; but they are asking for forgiveness. They are closing their doors for good. I say, let them have forgiveness, so that they can then consider the nature of what they've done.

If one seek acceptance, one must be accepting of others as well. At least, IMO.

They don't deserve forgiveness. They actively and willingly hurt people for years just because those people were gay, that's not something that should be forgiven. You should not have to forgive or accept people who hurt you in order to be accepted that's bullshit, it's just one more way to deprive gay people of something and make sure the homophobes come out on top.

I'll be the first to state that I don't support the message of Exodus and that I think on a moral and even a psychological level what they did was a thousand/million times wrong, but at the same time, they likely set up an example for further groups that were unwilling or simply not willing to see that what they were doing was wrong. I also think that both sides screaming for each others' blood, crying bloody murder and putting the heads on figurative pikes isn't really the answer.

They repented, realized that what they were doing was wrong and are willing to change what they're doing and to me that's enough, as I see it, live and let live.

So, if I were to hypothetically bully someone into committing suicide, you would totally be willing to let me walk free if I just said I was sorry? No prison time whatsoever just because I asked for forgiveness instead?

Wow...

You can't change the past, but you can work towards a different future, and that's what they seem to be doing. I hope they live up to what they've said here, about honoring others and not causing them pain anymore. But we'll see.

- They DESTROYED people's LIVES to the point that many many people KILLED THEMSELVES because of what malarkey they were taught, and Exodus simply says oops, our bad, soz, and we should just go lol it's ok you were just learning ? No, I'm sorry, but when the actions you do and the actions you promote cause death, either y your own hand or another's hand, that's VERY very wrong and needs to be addressed.

I don't want acceptance, I understand that people will not accept the sexual choices I may make, nor do I accept others hatefulness. I would prefer tolerance, where while you may disagree with what I choose to fondle, and I may disagree with your idea that I'm a filthy sinner, we can let each believe as they may without trying to harm the other side ? That's much more ideal.

Basically this. Honestly, I think the monster of the matter is not as much that it had happened but the fact that it was allowed to happen. And for that I think this is on everyone's heads, not just Exodus (through imo they would be primarily responsible). Of course at the same time I'm not sure what could have been done against Exodus, since it was a religious institution, but I'm sure there would have been something. But I might just being optimistic, here...

On the bright side, at least their doors are closed now, and hopefully anyone who was ...enrolled into its programs will be able to get the due support they deserve and be able to embrace their sexual identity in time.

[edit] Ah noticed how they are redirecting people. Would have preferred if they left that out. :c Not surprised, but you know...

Uh.. no, I never once stated that, nor did I ever imply that.. in any capacity. I said specifically to live and let live which, as a side note, never actually meant I forgave the group for what they did because I never actually did. I do however think that sticking them in jail and crying for their blood, so to speak won't solve anything and in doing so, they'll probably dredge up people who either don't want to be contacted or simply want to be left alone. This is a trial that could run for years, because hundreds of victims affected, over a long period of time also means that a trial of this magnitude won't be cut and dried, and yes, there would be a trial and yes, people who simply don't wish to be contacted will be dragged up, brought in as witnesses and put on the stand to re-hash old hurts that honestly they may not even wish to re-hash in the first place.

The past can't be changed, regardless of whether or not those responsible get stuck in jail, quartered, slaughtered, etc..etc.. for eternity, but what they can do is ensure that this doesn't happen again in the future.

Ugh, just saw that they're referring people to a new place... So much for this then. I don't know how I missed that bit the first time I read, but it certainly does make this seem a lot less genuine now. :c