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A Manifested Glory Ministries church is shown Wednesday, June 24, 2009 in Bridgeport, Conn. Gay rights advocates are outraged over a video that shows the Connecticut church performing an apparent exorcism of a boy to drive out what they call his homosexual demons. (AP Photo/Douglas Healey) |
Commentary
The video that shows an apparent gay exorcism is making a stir and causing a debate across the nation. The Bridgeport, Connecticut based church, Manifested Glory Ministries, was performing the exorcism or casting out demons from a 16 year old boy who had, according to church apostle Patricia McKinney, wanted deliverance from dressing like a girl.
Speaking with the Associated Press, Rev. Patricia McKinneystated, "We believe a man should be with a woman and a woman should be with a man. We have nothing against homosexuals. I just don't agree with their lifestyle." McKinney also stated the teen came to them for the casting out services, they didn't approach him. In the video you can see the boy thrashing around, and at one point he vomits. For those who believe in deliverance ministry, these manifestations are attributed to the expelling of demons.
However, the debate between those who believe that homosexuality is caused by demons and those who believe you are born that way has come full swing, as the video makes its way across the net. The question is whether freedom of religion allows for deliverance or ‘exorcism’ practices to occur, and if so, should they occur without the oversight of the government. If freedom of religion does allow churches to practice exorcisms, should there be a waiver or signature required? Should children be involved in exorcisms according to the faith of their parents? What age should one be to give legal consent to an exorcism?
The practice of exorcism or casting out demons is prevalent throughout the New Testament. Jesus cast demons out of a man referred to as “Legion” due to the fact that he was possessed with a “legion or more” demons. The Bible also teaches that true believers in Christ will cast out demons. If the teaching of exorcism and deliverance is protected by the freedom of religion, then when, and under what circumstances does it become abusive?
Robin McHaelen, director of Truce Colors stated to the Associated Press, "I think it's horrifying. What saddens me is the people that are doing this think they are doing something in the kid's best interests, when in fact they're murdering his spirit."
When one group is advocating the acceptance of gay youth, and the other end of the spectrum refers to homosexuality as the work of demons, there is sure to be extreme conflict across the divide.
If teens are allowed the freedom to choose the gay or lesbian lifestyle, then aren’t those same teens allowed the freedom of religion to engage in an exorcism? If that teen believes that he or she is possessed, wouldn’t freedom of religion allow that teen to enter into an exorcism if he or she chooses to? And if so, at what age would be appropriate for a child or teen to exercise their free will and engage in an exorcism?
Exorcism continues throughout many churches world wide. It is a practice that is in many faiths across the globe. If one person believes that the gay and lesbian lifestyle is biological, does that negate another person’s right to believe that it is a choice, or demonically inspired? Does freedom of religion allow a church the right to conduct exorcisms in the way they see fit, provided the participants are willing and no physical harm comes to the person? According to documented cases of exorcisms, mainly through the Catholic church, exorcism is not a pretty sight.
It will be interesting to see how this case plays out. Mainly because the person being exorcised was a teen. If the Connecticut Department of Children and Families comes to the aid of a child being persecuted for openly displaying their gay or lesbian belief, should they come to the rescue of a child who is trying to change his or her behavior? Can a child participate in a 'casting out of spirits service' if they choose? Does a child have a right to pursue a homosexual or lesbian path, but not one that tries to change that behavior, and if not, who decides?
If the exorcism was performed against the teen’s will, or wishes, it would be an obvious sign of abuse. Until we hear from the teen himself, and see if the Connecticut Department of Childrens and Families follows up with the case, we might not know the full scale of the story.
Gay Exorcism Video
More Information
Apparent Gay Exorcism in Conn. Church Causes Outrage
Church Reported to State for Gay Exorcism Video
Comments
There is such a thing as taking religious freedom too far. And this fits the bill. If a teen or child wants to be given an exorcism, the religious group should tell him or her that they have to wait until the age of consent, regardless of what their parents say about it. It is not something to be played around with, especially when it comes to the idea that being gay is a result of a demonic possession. How absurd... And utterly FALSE. To believe such a thing is not consistent with what we know scientifically about sexual orientation and its genetic/biological underpinnings. Freedom of religion is fine and dandy, but sometimes that freedom can be abused. In this instance, it sure does feel like an abuse of that freedom... I say it should be outlawed.
The District Attorney must prosecute these wackos to the full extent of the law, seeking long-term jail sentences. The child is a minor and was physically assaulted. He is not of an age where he can legally consent. It is time to use the law to fight religious lunatics.
The child should have the right to choose(with his parents consent of course) if he wants it done or not. Are you saying the govt should be the one that dictates what a church is allowed to do? That's overstepping in the govt's place. Homosexuality is absolutely a choice in the long run of things. Science hasn't explained anything definite at all yet. There are only "theories" so far. Homosexuality is sin, and EVERY human's conscience knows it. The question is though, how far have you decieved, or let yourself be decieved, into believing its ok? Just so that you can justify something in your own life? Its against all things natural! I hope and pray that all attempts to further gay rights is halted outright, and that the one and TRUE way(marriage between man and woman) that has been the foundation of TRUE love(not some warped version of lust!) prevails! Light always reveals the true faces beneath the shadows, and makes a sharp distinction between black and white!
The Lamb in Pittsburgh says, "Its against all things natural!"
Ummm...if homesexuality is "against all things natural," then why is it true that many animal species (including most mammals and ALL primates) have been observed in the wild engaging in sexual activity with the same sex? Perhaps it isn't the gay people who are being "decieved," my friend, but you. Honestly, the "it's unnatural" argument is completely purile and frankly ignorant when viewed in the light of what we now know about human and animal sexual behavior.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm a big believer in religious freedom, and so long as everyone involved is a voluntary participant then I see no reason for the State to step in and call it "abuse." But please don't expect any reasonably well-educated modern observer to do more than point-and-laugh--or perhaps shake-our-heads-sadly--when confronted with this kind of primitive foolishness.
Ok lets start with the obvious questions I don't see answered. First of all did his parents give consent? If they did then the gay rights activists need to shut up. This isn't a church forcing its views on someone else its someone making a choice based on their personal belief system. Is he not entitled to make that choice because some other uninvolved homosexual feels it impinges on their right to be homosexual? Of course not that would be silly.
As for if its abuse I'd need more information then is available. Certainly the video doesn't show them striking him at least the clips I watched but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Did they do something to physically harm him is the real question and yes if they did they deserve to be prosecuted. It was consensual so no I don't buy the emotional abuse angle that liberals seem to be pushing so if you want to call it abuse give evidence they did something concrete and physical to the kid (realize I'm not saying they didn't just saying we need proof). If this is about trying to cast demons out of him for being homosexual and only that then the court needs to stay out of it because thats a matter of religion NOT law. Its time people remembered seperation of Church and State doesn't just mean you get to shove Christianity out of public schools it also (in fact was meant to mean) the law has no business telling a church how to operate. As to whether or not he was possessed (which isn't relevant really) (continued)
I don't know. I'd need to know more about the case history. Certainly just being homosexual is not evidence of demonic possession (that idea has no biblical support nor is it taken seriously by demonologists) although its possible he was under attack. I'd want to see signs of possession as well as medical and psychiatric evaluations before I called ii possession myself but thats the difference between a demonologist or exorcist (and no this isn't properly exorcism its deliverance ministry) and a most deliverance ministry. People don't get possessed because they are gay regardless its mostly the result of either occult practices or evil (and when I say evil I mean EVIL: murder, rape, necrophilia, child molestation things every decent person recognizes as morally repugnant). As to what homosexuality comes from I honestly don't know. I don't entirely buy that its genetic but then I'm not entirely convinced its a choice either the truth I think may lie somewhere between the two extremes of view.
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