Dated: December 05, 2002
Exodus International, North America * P.O. Box 540119 * Orlando, FL 32854* www.exodus-international.org

Breaking News!

News Stories from North America and Beyond

For Further Information contact Randy Thomas Phone: (321) 274-0982

The purpose of this report is to alert our friends and supporters to news items of interest affecting our culture with regard to homosexuality. Some of the news sources are Christian, some are gay and some are secular. Therefore it is possible that anyone reading this report might be offended by some of the articles or websites represented. Exodus International, North America does not endorse or support any viewpoints contained in articles unless specifically and overtly noted. Please feel free to send any feedback to Randy Thomas at rthomas@exodus-international.org.


SPOTLIGHTS:
1) Dr. Nicolosi appeared on the O'Relly Factor December 4th, 2002 and will be a guest on Hannity and Colmes December 6, 2002
Dr. Warren Throckmorton, past president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, viewed last nights O'Reilly Factor program. He states, "I thought Joe Nicolosi was clear, cogent and compassionate in his responses to Bill O'Reilly on the 12/4/02 edition of the Factor. He noted that parents need balanced information about how certain parenting approaches and experiences may impact sexual orientation. The issue discussed was whether Psychology Today should have run an ad for the Nicolosi's new book on Preventing Homosexuality. Of course such ads should be allowed. Often gay activists call for tolerance of diversity. However, the individual on the show opposing the ad seemed to be quite intolerant of the freedom to advertise differences of opinion on this issue."

Dr. Joseph Nicolosi in national spotlight on preventing homosexuality. Appearing on two Fox News Channel Shows, O'Reilly Factor and Hannity and Colmes.

2) Pennsylvania passes legislation with potential implications for people of faith
Focus On The Family Reports in Citizen Link, daily update for 12/4/02, that "Pro-family advocates are concerned that this bill could be modified in the future to include restrictions on freedom of speech about homosexuality."

Jim Gentile with Transforming Congregations in Pennsylvania confirms that people of faith did indeed approach legislators with their concerns. "We tried to influence the legislators but they were very uninterested in what we had to say. Bucks County Christian Coalition really went to bat but it was hopeless, they just don't see the truth in the bill, they think we are over reacting."

Gene Chase, Director of Exodus Member Ministry Free! located in Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania explains the law I saw it coming. PA is not the first state to approve an addendum to hate crimes to include hate against gays. The law is framed carefully enough so that there must (otherwise) be a crime before the law can be invoked. Christians do not have the same freedom from libel laws that the press has. I can imagine a scenario in which an Exodus group is accused of hate speech for merely advertising that help is available, but that is not libelous unless it is directed against an individual. So it won't stick according to this law. Since Exodus groups don't direct comments against individuals, we're out of harm's way for now. Never have Jesus' words been more applicable, "Be wise as serpents; harmless as doves." (Mt 10:16)

Harrisburg Patriot-News, December 4, 2002
( http://pennlive.com/news/patriotnews )  http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/
html_standard.xsl?/base/news/1038997821115130.xml signs law protecting gays, lesbians By Charles Thompson of The Patriot-News "With no fanfare or public ceremony, Gov. Mark Schweiker yesterday signed a bill that gay and lesbian leaders say marks a giant step forward for gay rights in Pennsylvania."

3) Brave Mom applauds SBC for recognizing Truth Ministry in South Carolina
Ms. Pitts states in the following article, "As the director of the family and friends ministry of Truth Ministry, I was thrilled that the S.C. Baptist Convention recognized the work our group is doing." Again Exodus reaffirms our gratitude for the Southern Baptist Convention in recognizing and supporting the work of Exodus in several arenas.

Spartanburg Herald Journal, December 03, 2002 http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage  (http://sj.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73118832551528&
Avis=SJ&Dato=20021203&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=212030302&Ref=AR) Trapped in sin By Millie Pitts Boiling Springs

4) Orlando Passes Anti-discrimination ordinance
Baptist Press Monday 12/03/02 - Southern Baptist Convention - FLORIDA--Homosexual rights ordinance passed by Orlando City Council. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=14769

5) Exodus International, North America takes message to local, national and international venues
WPIO - 89.3 FM http://www.gate.net/~wpio/  Women in Christ 11/26/02 program with Brenda Kelly interviewed Michelle Ferguson, Publications Editor for Exodus International, North America. Michelle comments, "It was a great opportunity for WPIO's female listeners to hear about the issues of emotional dependency. It was also good for them to hear about being proactive in pursuing relational healing through Christ."

Charisma Magazine, Healing the Broken Bondage-Breakers In San Francisco
( http://www.charismamag.com ) http://www.charismamag.com/online/articledisplay.pl?ArticleID=6883 Thirty years ago Frank and Anita Worthen founded a ministry that today has helped thousands of homosexuals escape that lifestyle.

98 FM Radio - Dublin, Ireland - http://www.98fm.ie/  - Afterdark with Niall Boylin 12/4/02 - Interviewed Randy Thomas on the Christian Response to homosexuality and what it means for a person to change. "It was an ambush situation in that they were nice on the phone but not so nice on the air. I felt the peace of God though. He brought glory to His Son and the message of Exodus' went out to Dublin and the surrounding area. He can and did 'turn all things for good.'"

6) Fred Phelps continues campaign of hatred
Since the beginning of this report we continually find, almost on a daily basis, mention of this man and his misrepresentation of God. We want to encourage Christians to take a more public stand against this type of hatred. Do not let this "false witness" go unanswered.

Detroit Free Press, December 3, 2002 ( http://www.freep.com/  ) http://www.freep.com/news/locoak/nhate3_20021203.htm  Preacher is set to picket in Ferndale Antigay minister says God hates city By Bill Laitner, Free Press Staff Writer