Exodus International board member Dennis Jernigan has resigned after Truth Wins Out reported Wednesday night that he had breached the organization’s commitment against efforts to criminalize gay people.
Here’s the Exodus announcement. We’ll comment further shortly.
Orlando, Fla. — Exodus International, the oldest and largest Christian ministry dealing with homosexuality, released a new policy statement on the criminalization of homosexuality. While the ministry has long held this perspective, they felt compelled to release a written statement in light of Exodus Board Vice Chairman, Dennis Jernigan’s, comments to the media in Kingston, Jamaica. Exodus board member, Don Schmierer, experienced a similar collision with the media on a trip to Uganda in 2009.
“Dennis Jernigan recently traveled to Jamaica to share his testimony and lead worship at a number of venues,” said Alan Chambers, President of Exodus. “While there he was thrust into a media firestorm and asked to comment on President Obama’s threat to issue sanctions against Jamaica for their laws concerning the criminalization of homosexuality.
“Dennis shared his belief that President Obama is deceived about homosexual behavior and the biblical morality of it. Dennis assured me he is not for the criminalization of homosexuality, and he will release his own statement on this matter. However, Jernigan offered this immediate response ”:
“I believe my heart and intent were misconstrued and therefore, may have harmed Exodus’ mission of ministering to those struggling with same-sex attraction (SSA). To that end, as of this moment, I step down as Vice Chairman of Exodus.”
Here is an excerpt of the Exodus policy statement, also supported by its Board of Directors.
We will not support any legislation that deprives others of life and dignity based on their sexual orientation or the expression of such within the confines of a consensual adult relationship. Finally, we stand with the LGBT community both in spirit, and when necessary, legally and physically, when violence rears it’s head in Uganda, Jamaica or anywhere else in the world.
Chambers is working with the Exodus International Board and staff to craft strong statements, policies and procedures that will ensure their position on life-impacting issues such as this one.
“It is our resolution that unfortunate incidents like this do not happen again in the future,” said Chambers. “As president of Exodus International I take full responsibility for any board member, staff member or ministry affiliate’s ignorance of global issues, especially as they travel. I will make it a priority to keep all who are professionally affiliated with Exodus apprised of the nations where legislative initiatives or laws clearly violate our policy opposing criminalization of homosexuality. We will also craft a policy for our ministry that prohibits our involvement with groups and nations that violate our policies.”
“We will not support any legislation that deprives others of life and dignity based on their sexual orientation or the expression of such within the confines of a consensual adult relationship. Finally, we stand with the LGBT community both in spirit, and when necessary, legally and physically, when violence rears it’s head in Uganda, Jamaica or anywhere else in the world.”
But you do NOT stand with us when it comes to protecting and providing for our families, DO you… harass and bully, needle and torment, wage psychological and spiritual warfare, teach us to loathe ourselves to the point we require lifelong therapy, but get all self-righteous and holy when someone comes out and says what you’re thinking – that you want us to NOT EXIST.
This was the right thing for Chambers to do, but honestly – it means precious little. F*** Exodus.
“We will not support any legislation that deprives others of life and dignity based on their sexual orientation or the expression of such within the confines of a consensual adult relationship. Finally, we stand with the LGBT community both in spirit, and when necessary, legally and physically, when violence rears it’s head in Uganda, Jamaica or anywhere else in the world.”
This is typical anti-gay propaganda which we hear from the entire anti-gay lobby. They do everything in their power to make us invisible and non-existent both figuratively and literally. Then they jump back with feigned indignation when someone points out the truth of their evil anti-gay agenda.
Scripture tells us we will “know them by their fruits.” When “their fruits” are self-loathing individuals, greed, lies, professional paid “ex-gay” activists making careers of their “ex-gayness,” suicides, unjust laws, murder and exportation of sinful homophobia to other nations–these are NOT fruits of the Spirit. These are fruits of Satan. Beware!
“We will not support any legislation that deprives others of life and dignity based on their sexual orientation or the expression of such within the confines of a consensual adult relationship. Finally, we stand with the LGBT community both in spirit, and when necessary, legally and physically, when violence rears it’s head in Uganda, Jamaica or anywhere else in the world.”
what??? are you serious???
i mean , exodus, YOU speak about homosexuality as a illness! YOU try to don’t let glbt people to have the right to marry, to have families, to LIVE with a prospective of a good FUTURE!
you caused suicide even among children, dammit (as narth and company).
f****n’ hypocrite
Actually, this is a good thing holding Exodus’ feet to the fire.
I’d never heard of Jernigan, but checked his website out. I think you need to update his photo. This one is way old and way too flattering.
Gee, I wonder why they all keep saying that if they don’t believe it.
This is actually good news… not that Jernigan did what he did, but that it was immediately noticed, and now Exodus is madly backtracking over the outrage. Good!
So what I am hearing from exodus is that because Dennis stood up for biblical principle, he’s going to be thrown in the fire? What standards are they upholding when the join and “support” glbt? And then to make matters worse, you mr Chambers in your hypocrital statement says that you take full responsibility for DJ’s statement. Are you a Christian Mr. Chambers? Or are you of the devil himself? Decide who you will serve. Because you sound as if you are more concerned with what Obama and everyone else says more than what God is saying. Repent Mr Chambers. I am from Kingston Jamaica and a true believer in Jesus Christ.
Andre, you say “biblical principle” as though that is automatically a good thing – it isn’t.
Your Jesus never condemned or oppressed gays Andre – why don’t you try being more like him instead of invoking his name in vain.
“I am from Kingston Jamaica and a true believer in Jesus Christ.”
If you have even five seconds to spare concerning the sins of someone else– THERE IS NO ONE WHO IS RIGHTEOUS. NO NOT ONE.– you’re not a true believer in Jesus Christ.
Aren’t there some poor people in Jamaica you ought to be helping?
Now Priya, I never spoke to Jesus oppressing or condemning gays, what I am saying is that because DJ spoke out against what he believes Obama has done they believe that he went against what they stand for. I would prefer to stand and love the person who is gay but NEVER the lifestyle. So Priya, if you want to blow it out of proportion, go right ahead. That’s your business.
Ben in Oakland, who the hell is you? There are people here that I am helping yes but my question to you is this: What have you been doing in Oakland? how have your life impacted anyone except yourself? And remember this Ben, that even though we have “poor” people here, we aren’t as devious and divided and fake as your wonderful USA
Now Andre, that’s exactly what you’re commenting on, and saying that taking it back is evil.
You people sure are quick to backtrack whenever somebody commits the terrible sin of noticing exactly what you said.
And gay people live exactly the same variety of lifestyles as straight people–so I guess it IS the people and not the lifestyle you’re commenting on, huh?
Ok Pat, you lost me there. Don’t have a clue what you just said.
That didn’t stop you from commenting the first time.
Andre said “I would prefer to stand and love the person who is gay but NEVER the lifestyle.”.
There is no such thing as a gay lifestyle Andre, only bigots say such things. Gays live a diverse array of lifestyles just like heteosexuals do. You obviously do not prefer to love gays, you prefer to hate them. If you loved gays you wouldn’t condemn and oppress them for harmless acts. When you condemn and oppress innocent people as you do, that is hate.
Andre said “Now Priya, I never spoke to Jesus oppressing or condemning gays…”.
You claimed to be a believer in Jesus and yet you spoke against gays. Jesus never spoke against or oppressed gays, if you were truly a believer in him you wouldn’t do so either. You are not a believer in Jesus, you’ve bastardized the name of Jesus by falsely claiming to be his follower whilst abusing gays.
Ok is anybody really reading the article!..so it ok for Obama to issue threats to a Country because of its law to withhold aid because of the ‘assumed’ criminalization of homosexuals, and that is ok!!!…but to enlightened Obama and his followers there no such law in Jamaica that criminalizes homosexuality it talks about sodomy which includes both male and female if penis ‘enters’ anus and it also covers children who have experienced acts of Sodomy…plus second…Iam concern about Exodus Stance on the issue this really sends some redflags, being a Jamaican myself and was apart of the Workshop and seminars and personally know that Dennis never supported violent acts against so called homosexuals…based upon what he said and article confirms this he said:’Dennis shared his belief that President Obama is deceived about homosexual behavior and the biblical morality of it.’…for me that was very christian response and it never implied his view on the buggery law her in Jamaica the poor man may not even know that homosexuality is not illegal in Jamaica.This has really open my eyes to Exodus movement and its leadership it makes no sense making much ‘ado about’ nothing, this just looks like an over ‘exaggerated’ attempt to look Good before the Gay community..Exodus plz WAKE UP! and stop getting in petty conflicts you have more Bigger things to focus on, this should not even be an ‘issue’ so taken out of context all this drama for what Satan certainly knows how spins around like fools….I just really pray for Dennis and his family because some serious things must have been said that are totally out of context for him to feel the need to resign from EXODUS…this sad day in kingdom when believers reach a place like this
Priya, get a hold of yourself, you are talking crap! ok! If you would get your head out of your a*s and listen you would understand what is being said. But because you are so blinded and convinced that I am bashing “gays”, you can’t seem to see anything else. Who died and made you god? Where do you get off deciding who’s saved and who’s not? I believe that it is the LIFESTYLE that is WRONG and you can contest me on this any time. But for now Priya, I suggest that you go again and study the Word of God, but more than that look deep inside you and tell me why you believe what you believe.
Priya and Ben, why don’t you comment on the article of the bisexual “self proclaimed” porn star that chopped up his chinese boyfriend and mailed his body parts to various schools and government offices in Berlin. He is now extradited to Canada. Please comment and let me know what you have to say.
Andre, it has been pointed out that you’re lying about that.
But you go ahead and define what it is you’re talking about. What is this “lifestyle”? Tell us what you’re talking about. The lifestyle you hate is any lifestyle that happens to be lived by homosexual persons–but not that same lifestyle when lived by heterosexuals. But go ahead; make another claim.
As for why we’re not commenting on a totally different article.. actually, perhaps some of us are. We certainly wouldn’t be commenting on it in the comments section for *this* article, of course, so you wouldn’t really know that.
Anyway, I’ve never heard of that article, and you didn’t bother linking it.
Supposing it exists… I have no comment. “That’s bad” kinda goes without saying, doesn’t it?
It has utterly no relevance to anything else that has ever happened or existed, so I’m not sure why you brought it up.
Andre, A wise interpretation of the Bible would include
1-That the many murders and assaults against gays in Jamaica are very great sins.
2-That it it is not a sin to be attracted to someone of the same sex.
3-That if you want to influence someone to follow the Bible you must use Love and not hatred.
[...] This time, however, Chambers acted swiftly to condemn Jernigan’s foreign junket and as a result Jernigan resigned from the Exodus Board of Directors. This was very encouraging and gives hopes that the Exodus [...]