Church creates stir with gay exorcism video

[XOX]

Gay and youth advocates are demanding an investigation

What the hell?

How could this happen? With so many adults doing horrible thing to a 16 yr old gay teen?

Explain to me how this is not consider evidence that anti-gay church are plain evil!

More news stories related to this incident.

Apparent Gay Exorcism in Conn. Church Causes Outrage





More disturbing news. They are not the only church who do this to teen gays.

Losing Grip : Bridgeport church group videotapes themselves casting out a "homosexual demon"

Update (as of 26 June 2009)

Gay exorcism video abuse or freedom of religion

Excerpt:
"Exorcism continues throughout many churches world wide. It is a practice that is in many faiths across the globe. .....Does freedom of religion allow a church the right to conduct exorcisms in the way they see fit?"

U.S. pastor defends video of exorcism of gay man

Video of church's 'casting out' gay 'demon' in teen sparks anger

Church Reported to State for Gay Exorcism Video : Director of Connecticut LGBT Youth Group Says Church 'Murdering' Teen's Soul

Anyone here been exorcised?
A serious question: it's obvious that exorcising gay teenagers is wrong. But can we learn more?

Update (as of 27 June 2009)
Outrage at online video of anti-gay 'exorcism'

In Britain, Sharon Ferguson of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) said that she has frequently come across people who have been subjected to such exorcism ceremonies in the UK.
"It...fills me with horror that this sort of thing is still going on" she told Premier Radio, adding that it did “untold damage”.

Seriously? A Gay Exorcism?

Excerpt:"The act of counseling homosexuals against their natural impulses is ludicrous, and religious folk should spend more time spreading love, instead of hate."

Update (as of 29 June 2009)

Are gays possessed?

Excerpt:

"What is most disturbing about this to many people, including those of differing faiths, is the fact that young people are already struggling to find their identity as all young people do in the process of growing into adulthood. Those youths who have the additional pressure of dealing with their own sexuality become susceptible to feelings of rejection and despair when it is perceived that they are not wanted, or are in some way flawed, because they are homosexual.

As more gays rights issues such as marriage, openly serving in the military, and protection from hate crimes come to the forefront of American social discourse, it would seem that people of faith have their own demons to exorcise. Those of hate, ignorance, and intolerance."


What does a homosexual demon look like?


Gay Exorcism

[Ben Alexander]

Same as you. Mini-thread closed.

[XOX]

I don't think so. For I am against any form of exorcism.

[Ben Alexander]

Alright, then I am saying that prosecuting people for abuse is great, but prosecuting people for religious practice is wrong. If religious practice results in abuse, prosecute the abuse just as if it had nothing to do with supposed demons, but definitely prosecute it.

[XOX]

/prosecuting people for religious practice is wrong//

Depends on the religious practice. I would consider buring people alive for religious difference is wrong, witch hunting with mass murdering of women as religious practice is wrong, exorcism that abuse the persons in the name of religion is wrong. There are a lot of religious practice that is wrong.

I would use an example that is not belong to the christianity. Like stoning women to death for adultery in the Islamic religion is wrong.

Think about it before you defend religious practice.

[Ben Alexander]

That stuff is wrong because of the physical consequences (death) thereof, not because of the religious aspect. Stopping religiously motivated murder is important, but outlawing an ambiguous practice like exorcism is different.

[XOX]

How is it different?

Exorcism could harm the person emotinally, and sometimes physically. So, unless it is done without any physical touching, (emotion damage being put aside for awhile), it should be outlaw.

Or at least regulate by law, as there should not no physical contact. Also, the time use for exorcism should be regulated as it shouldn't last too long to cause abuse. Any other restriction, like not letting the person leave the church or whatever the exorcism took place should also be considered a form of abuse.

How about that?

[Ben Alexander]

Too much. Saying you can perform an exorcism as long as it doesn't involve touching is saying you can't do it.

Really what I am saying is that society should be as conservative as possible about restraining religious practice. I think there is a consensus that we need to do something, but let's try and leave as much alone as possible. If someone is hurt in a religious ritual, they can press charges just as if they were hurt otherwise, but it is extreme to outlaw practices because they are potentially harmful. Everything is potentially harmful.

[XOX]

Just trying to strike a balance.

If someone couldn't perform an exorcism as a religious practice without the possibility of abuse, then it is just too bad.

There is no set rule for exorcism, is there? So, this religious practice could change in its form, by not toching the person, and not restraining the person, or stopping this person from leaving.

As long as there is no possibility for abuse, no one would go against this form of religious practice.

Not everying is potentially harmful. But from what I stand, exorcism is harmful.

[Ben Alexander]

I guess we differ slightly on where the balance should be, in ways that matter a ton to people who perform exorcisms but not a whole lot to us.

I think this means that for the first time ever, we reached an agreement about a touchy subject without demeaning each other as people. High five! Woo! Agreeing also mean I am going to go back to applying for jobs instead of hashing out exorcism with ya. Later, argument buddy!

[XOX]

//I guess we differ slightly on where the balance should be, in ways that matter a ton to people who perform exorcisms but not a whole lot to us.//

Matt, you should see this.

Ben, are you telling me that exorcism is a very widely spread practice within the christians community. You do realize you have just confirmed my fear.

Oh boy. I didn't know the extend of the problem.

There should be law to regulate it then. How do you know there is no abuse? You simply cannot tell me there is no abuse. And to stop abuse, it should be regulated.

[Ben Alexander]

What? No! I am agreeing that there needs to be a balance between religious freedom and the societal importance of maintaining order and protecting its citizens. Stop going in circles. Exorcism is not a very widespread practice, it is not usually dangerous and when it is it is reasonable that society should step in to prevent harm. How far exactly that goes is a matter of disagreement between you and I, but a much bigger deal to people who do this stuff than to you and I personally.

We almost agreed! AAAAUUGH.

[XOX]

Let check how exorcism is being practied.

Try "chocking a 3 year old gal" as exorcism.

Attempted exorcism ends in man’s death
Police use stun guns on grandfather seen choking 3-year-old girl

Exercpt: "PHOENIX - Officers responding to a report of an exorcism on a young girl found her grandfather choking her and used stun guns to subdue the man, who later died, authorities said Sunday. The relative who called police said an exorcism had also been attempted Thursday.“The purpose was to release demons from this very young child,” said Sgt. Joel Tranter."

Ben, are you seriously telling me that this kind of practice should be covered in "religious freedom". No one has the freedom in trying to strangle a 3 year old gal and then hind behind religous freedom.