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Gay Rights or Wrongs: A Christian's Guide to Homosexual Issues and Ministry
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290 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 16, 2024
A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS FROM A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF AUTHORS
Editor Mike Mazzalongo is a teacher and preacher, who also served as Dean of Students for Oklahoma Christian University from 1991-1993. He wrote in the Preface to this 1995 book, “This book brings together teachers, psychologists, ministers and other qualified men and women who have studied (and for some, experienced) homosexuality over a long period of time. It is hoped that this work will generate the kind of understanding necessary to be able to deal compassionately with the people who struggle with homosexuality. It is also my aim to equip the members of the church with the confidence to respond intelligently to the false arguments being made for the homosexual lifestyle by Gays and their sympathizers.”
F. LaGard Smith asserts, “Never is legitimacy by association more coveted than when the gay-rights movement attempts to link itself with truly legitimate civil-rights movements. Every effort is made by homosexuals to ride piggyback on the fortunes of blacks, women, and other legitimate minority groups. But minority groups must never be confused with special-interest groups.” (Pg. 39)
In another essay, he contends, “Both at home and around the globe, the coming heterosexual AIDS apocalypse has been---and for the most part continues to be---conventional wisdom. But where is the evidence? Why hasn’t it happened? Did that many promiscuous heterosexuals immediately stop sleeping around?... If so, how do we account for an almost miniscule number of AIDS-related deaths resulting from the wide-open sexual activity going on in the incubation years before AIDS was discovered and the brakes put on? It just doesn’t add up. Rampant heterosexual AIDS is a myth!” (Pg. 85) Later, he adds, “The plain fact is that ‘AIDS’ in Africa is as likely to be related to poverty, malnutrition, inadequate medical supplies, and bad water as to HIV.” (Pg. 93)
Carl Bridges Jr. notes, “Sherwin Bailey man be on firmer ground… in maintaining that the men of Sodom did not practice homosexuality habitually. The Sodomites’ attempt on the angels did not necessarily result from their sexual orientation but from a desire to bully the strangers. What we see here is a case of a gang of men trying to humiliate and control men weaker than themselves, in these instance strangers who have no strong local protector, through homosexual rape.” (Pg. 156)
Joe Dallas reports a conversation with a gay man, when Dallas told him, “But how… is it oppressive to hold a different viewpoint? We’re no forcing it on you; in fact, the way you live your life is your own business and I wouldn’t interfere. But don’t we have a right to offer whatever help we can to people who aren’t satisfied being gay?” (Pg. 221)
Massalonga says of a 1976 EXIT conference at Melodyland, “Until that weekend, ex-gay ministries felt isolated, and were largely unsupported by the church at large. Many Christians were embarrassed to discuss heterosexual issues, let alone homosexuality. The ‘gay world’ was still hidden, mysterious, threatening. Openly testifying of deliverance from such an abhorrent lifestyle was taboo. As one person said, ‘You can talk about overcoming drugs, alcohol---even adultery or murder. But don’t talk about being gay.’” (Pg. 252)
He acknowledges, “Some [ex-gay] leaders featured in national Christian magazines had a moral relapse soon after their stories were published. Sadly enough, most of these catastrophes cold have been avoided. People’s studies were often written up prematurely. Back then, an ex-gay testimony was unique; publishers didn’t look too closely at how long someone had been out of homosexual behavior before pushing them into the public eye.” (Pg. 254)
This book will interest some Christians studying LGBT issues.
Editor Mike Mazzalongo is a teacher and preacher, who also served as Dean of Students for Oklahoma Christian University from 1991-1993. He wrote in the Preface to this 1995 book, “This book brings together teachers, psychologists, ministers and other qualified men and women who have studied (and for some, experienced) homosexuality over a long period of time. It is hoped that this work will generate the kind of understanding necessary to be able to deal compassionately with the people who struggle with homosexuality. It is also my aim to equip the members of the church with the confidence to respond intelligently to the false arguments being made for the homosexual lifestyle by Gays and their sympathizers.”
F. LaGard Smith asserts, “Never is legitimacy by association more coveted than when the gay-rights movement attempts to link itself with truly legitimate civil-rights movements. Every effort is made by homosexuals to ride piggyback on the fortunes of blacks, women, and other legitimate minority groups. But minority groups must never be confused with special-interest groups.” (Pg. 39)
In another essay, he contends, “Both at home and around the globe, the coming heterosexual AIDS apocalypse has been---and for the most part continues to be---conventional wisdom. But where is the evidence? Why hasn’t it happened? Did that many promiscuous heterosexuals immediately stop sleeping around?... If so, how do we account for an almost miniscule number of AIDS-related deaths resulting from the wide-open sexual activity going on in the incubation years before AIDS was discovered and the brakes put on? It just doesn’t add up. Rampant heterosexual AIDS is a myth!” (Pg. 85) Later, he adds, “The plain fact is that ‘AIDS’ in Africa is as likely to be related to poverty, malnutrition, inadequate medical supplies, and bad water as to HIV.” (Pg. 93)
Carl Bridges Jr. notes, “Sherwin Bailey man be on firmer ground… in maintaining that the men of Sodom did not practice homosexuality habitually. The Sodomites’ attempt on the angels did not necessarily result from their sexual orientation but from a desire to bully the strangers. What we see here is a case of a gang of men trying to humiliate and control men weaker than themselves, in these instance strangers who have no strong local protector, through homosexual rape.” (Pg. 156)
Joe Dallas reports a conversation with a gay man, when Dallas told him, “But how… is it oppressive to hold a different viewpoint? We’re no forcing it on you; in fact, the way you live your life is your own business and I wouldn’t interfere. But don’t we have a right to offer whatever help we can to people who aren’t satisfied being gay?” (Pg. 221)
Massalonga says of a 1976 EXIT conference at Melodyland, “Until that weekend, ex-gay ministries felt isolated, and were largely unsupported by the church at large. Many Christians were embarrassed to discuss heterosexual issues, let alone homosexuality. The ‘gay world’ was still hidden, mysterious, threatening. Openly testifying of deliverance from such an abhorrent lifestyle was taboo. As one person said, ‘You can talk about overcoming drugs, alcohol---even adultery or murder. But don’t talk about being gay.’” (Pg. 252)
He acknowledges, “Some [ex-gay] leaders featured in national Christian magazines had a moral relapse soon after their stories were published. Sadly enough, most of these catastrophes cold have been avoided. People’s studies were often written up prematurely. Back then, an ex-gay testimony was unique; publishers didn’t look too closely at how long someone had been out of homosexual behavior before pushing them into the public eye.” (Pg. 254)
This book will interest some Christians studying LGBT issues.
July 4, 2017
You’re probably wondering why bother reviewing a book published in 1996. The only reason I purchased the publication was for research on a book I’m currently writing on the rise and fall of conversion therapy.
Edited by Mike MazzalongoIt’s it’s a hotchpotch of facts and fantasy from a variety of authors. One minute there is a level of compassion even empathy and then it gets downright nasty. For example, in Chapter 2 Dr F LaGard Smith, trying to build a case for the oft-quoted conspiracy of a ‘gay agenda’ he speaks of celebrities who died of AIDS:
In chapter 7 the same author endeavours to counteract new understandings of scripture that have been presented by looking at historical and cultural contexts. His view is, of course, traditional. He wraps up the chapter by saying:
The chapters on AIDS are outdated and predictions proved false. There are of course many reminders throughout the book that AIDS is God’s judgment on homosexuals.
Chapter 12 by Joe Dallas is interesting. There are moments when the reader sees Dallas has been a victim of bullying and has an understanding why some in the LGBT community are angry.
Dallas admits:
And
When speaking about the AIDS crisis Dallas says “The greatest chance of a decade went up in smoke before our eyes.”
“How can we respond to the militants?” Dallas asks. “First through repentance. We can and must admit our wrongs”
There is a comprehensive list of ex-gay organisations in the Appendix. But of course, it would be hard to find any of those in existence today since Exodus closed its doors in 2013.
In 2016, Gay Rights or Wrongs is nothing more than an historical document that would only be of interest to a student or researcher. The good thing is that you can purchase a second hand copy of as little as a cent on Amazon.
Anthony Venn-Brown
Author of “A Life of Unlearning – a preacher’s struggle with his homosexuality, church and faith.”
Edited by Mike MazzalongoIt’s it’s a hotchpotch of facts and fantasy from a variety of authors. One minute there is a level of compassion even empathy and then it gets downright nasty. For example, in Chapter 2 Dr F LaGard Smith, trying to build a case for the oft-quoted conspiracy of a ‘gay agenda’ he speaks of celebrities who died of AIDS:
“For example, who among us didn’t admire the strength and gracefulness that permitted Rudolf Nureyev to leap in exquisite slow motion? Or enjoy the cinematic roles played by Rock Hudson? I still remember the days of early television and the popular showbiz flair of Liberace. These people are gone now, robbed of life by the homosexual lifestyle which they shared in common. Yet they have become the heroes of the hour.
One might have thought these tragic deaths would have been and embarrassment to the gay rights movement. But every cause needs it martyrs, and none could be more suited for the gay movement that deaths which, in one stroke combine unprecedented public sympathy and celebrity status homosexuality. What could be better than legitimacy by association unless perhaps it is legitimacy by sympathy?"
In chapter 7 the same author endeavours to counteract new understandings of scripture that have been presented by looking at historical and cultural contexts. His view is, of course, traditional. He wraps up the chapter by saying:
“Sadly for many homosexuals, they literally can’t live with their consciences and tragically end up among the deplorable suicide statistics that haunt the nation's gays. Facile attempts to put the blame on an unaccepting homophobic society only serve to perpetuate the problem.
Those who do not choose “the easy way out” are left to struggle within themselves. I suspect that the guilt is overwhelming."
The chapters on AIDS are outdated and predictions proved false. There are of course many reminders throughout the book that AIDS is God’s judgment on homosexuals.
Chapter 12 by Joe Dallas is interesting. There are moments when the reader sees Dallas has been a victim of bullying and has an understanding why some in the LGBT community are angry.
Dallas admits:
“Extravagant, Ill-informed remarks about gays were hurled from the televangelists’ studios. It wasn’t enough to preach against the sin of homosexuality, we needed to underscore our point by degrading, in the public’s eye, anyone who practiced it. With little concern for accuracy, we exploited the stereotype most Americans had of homosexuals.”
And
“We sent a strong message to the gay community in those days: “We’ll fight you every step of the way, and although we claim to “love” souls as Christ loved them, we don’t care much for yours. What we do care about is your defeat, and that will be the focus of our efforts when we deal with you.” That is a message they will never forget."
When speaking about the AIDS crisis Dallas says “The greatest chance of a decade went up in smoke before our eyes.”
“How can we respond to the militants?” Dallas asks. “First through repentance. We can and must admit our wrongs”
There is a comprehensive list of ex-gay organisations in the Appendix. But of course, it would be hard to find any of those in existence today since Exodus closed its doors in 2013.
In 2016, Gay Rights or Wrongs is nothing more than an historical document that would only be of interest to a student or researcher. The good thing is that you can purchase a second hand copy of as little as a cent on Amazon.
Anthony Venn-Brown
Author of “A Life of Unlearning – a preacher’s struggle with his homosexuality, church and faith.”
February 22, 2021
This is not the bigoted, "gay bashing" book its critics make it out to be. This is a factual, compassionate, biblical look at the issue of homosexuality. The author provides some historical perspective on the origins of homosexuality. He also refutes many popular homosexual apologist arguments using the Bible, and offers a straightforward explanation of the politics of the issue in our modern times. He then focuses on some ways Christians have failed homosexuals in the past, describes the tactics of militant homosexual organizations, and lastly, offers suggestions on how to minister to Christian homosexuals.
I feel some constructive criticism is appropriate here. There are several grammatical errors in the book that, while they do not affect the reader's understanding, are still an annoyance to encounter in such a serious work. Also, I found the material to be a bit dated for a book published in 2016, because the author relies heavily on statistics, facts, and figures from the 1990s. I have no doubt that more modern statistics would support the author's arguments, however, a third edition with more updated facts and figures would have been preferable to a book written in 1995.
Overall, I give it 4 stars because of the straightforwardness of its politics, and its clear, biblical, rock-solid doctrine. Highly recommended!
I feel some constructive criticism is appropriate here. There are several grammatical errors in the book that, while they do not affect the reader's understanding, are still an annoyance to encounter in such a serious work. Also, I found the material to be a bit dated for a book published in 2016, because the author relies heavily on statistics, facts, and figures from the 1990s. I have no doubt that more modern statistics would support the author's arguments, however, a third edition with more updated facts and figures would have been preferable to a book written in 1995.
Overall, I give it 4 stars because of the straightforwardness of its politics, and its clear, biblical, rock-solid doctrine. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews