A university has distanced itself from a controversial support group to help young adults "resist homosexuality," according to a report published by University World News on Jan. 6.
The support group is called "Courage" and set up meetings in Oct. 2012 at the Newman Centre, an independent Catholic parish that is based on the main campus of the University of Toronto.
The anti-gay group's website says,
"The Newman Courage group is a spiritual support group for young adults who experience same-sex attractions and who desire to live chastely, in accordance with Catholic teaching."
The website also states that the twelve steps of "Courage" is based on the twelve steps of Alcohol Anonymous. A few of those "steps" from the website include participants believing a power greater than themselves can restore them to "sanity," to admit the exact nature of their "wrongs" and that they are ready to have God "remove all these defects of character."
The University of Toronto has urged the Newman Centre to discontinue the group and several parishioners have stopped attending because they do not support the program's views.
Bill Steinburg, communications manager for the Archdiocese of Toronto said that the only people who are involved with the "resist homosexuality" support group are those who really want to participate.
However, one outraged parishioner who asked to remain anonymous and is leading the fight to discontinue the support group said that anti-gay program like "Courage" will damage and harm those who are struggling with their sexual identity.
What are your thoughts on the "resist homosexuality" group? Should they be allowed to stay for those that choose to participate or will their anti-gay teachings harm young people? Sound off in the comments below.
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