John Meteyard
Former Exodus Asia Pacific Global Alliance & Living Waters Leader and on the International Advisory Board of Exodus
When asked to add my perspective to this discussion I was pleased to do
so. My purpose here is not to endorse or comment upon the stance of this
website or the views it contains, rather it is simply to add my voice
to the developing and important dialogue occurring around the issue of
faith and sexual orientation.
I
have known many sincere Christians who are also attracted to members of
their own gender. Almost without exception, I have seen the very real
anguish and pain that accompany this situation. Many people suffer
deeply in their mental, physical and spiritual health. The result of
this strain can be traumatic, debilitating and overwhelming. It is
because of my genuine concern for the wellbeing of those who face this
dilemma, and my very real desire that they not be unnecessarily harmed,
that I have written this statement.
I have also seen many of my brothers and sisters show great courage in
their choices as they seek to respond to the profoundly difficult
challenge of reconciling their faith and sexuality. Many of these have
managed to live a life of integrity and morality as same sex oriented
individuals. I am also aware that at the end of the day all I really
have to share is a little from my own unfolding story.
I was involved with Exodus ministries for nearly 20 years until my recent 'retirement' at the end of 2006.
During
this time I fulfilled a number of functions with Exodus ministries
including leadership roles at local, regional (Asia Pacific) and
international levels. During the last two decades my views concerning
the issue of Christian faith and homosexuality have undergone
considerable growth and change. This has been the result of many things:
my own journey, my developing understanding of God and, as I have
shared above, the experiences of friends and other courageous brothers
and sisters I have met on the way.
In
the past I have been ardent in my opinion that homosexual orientation
was unquestioningly a result of the 'fall' and God's intention was
therefore always to heal the same-sex attracted believer and help them
to be 'whole'. In the past I have frequently spoken publicly in support
of these views. However, my position is now somewhat different. I now
believe that it is crucially important that we all learn to respect the
rights and choices of gay and lesbian believers as they work through the
complexities of their unique situation with God in their own way and in
their own time.
Read statements and apologies of other ex-gay leaders who worked with people with ' unwanted same sex attraction ' here
Excerpt from Talking Life, a Christian talk back radio program October 2006. Christianity and Homosexuality was the discussion with Dr John Meteyard a Counsellor and Educator who at the time the Exodus Asia Pacific Chairperson & aslo a Living Waters leader. Brendan Scarce is a psychologist - Courage Australia (A Catholic organisation who view "homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always
declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered". They are
contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of
life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual
complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved").
Anthony Venn-Brown calls in to give another perspective.
From this discussion John Meteyard and Anthony began a dialogue. John
Meteyard's above statement was an outcome of that dialogue.If you would like to listen to entire hour long show click here.
Labels: apology, exodus, former ex-gay leader, LGBT apology, Living Waters, unwanted same sex attraction
