But I did take a little inventory and came up with just a few of my heartfelt contributions to the “cause”

Warren Calls Bill “Unjust’, “Extreme’ and “Unchristian’

NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out thanked Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, today for releasing a YouTube Statement condemning the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009? that is currently before the Ugandan Parliament. Lisa Darden, a talent agent and filmmaker working on a film about reconciling the Christian and GLBT communities, coordinated the statement with Warren’ church.

“We applaud Rick Warren for speaking out with force and clarity on a bill that would lead to the persecution and prosecution of gay and lesbian Ugandans,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Today, Warren showed true moral courage and stood for what is right and just. We urge other leading pastors and world leaders to stand up and condemn Uganda’ Anti-Homosexuality Bill.”

http://www.truthwinsout.org/pressreleases/2009/12/5299/

James Dobson Rebuked By Acclaimed Professor Carol Gilligan For Distorting Her Research

In the video, filmed for Truth Wins Out by videographer Lisa Darden, Dr. Gilligan expressed her extreme displeasure with Dobson and how she was “mortified” by his use of her work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NHdSVknB5Q

In the video, filmed for Truth Wins Out by videographer Lisa Darden
Dr. Kyle Pruett: “James Dobson Twisted My Research”

http://respectmyresearch.org/scientists/dr-kyle-pruett-phd/

In the video, filmed for Truth Wins Out by videographer Lisa Darden
Dr. Robert Spitzer in his own words…

http://respectmyresearch.org/scientists/dr-robert-spitzer/

I’ve been in this “fray” for a while ( 20 years) and have interviewed many of the key players from both sides of the divide. I’ve been working on this project for about 4 years. I think even though Wayne might not be happy with my post today- He would agree that I’m well versed on this issue. Wayne and TWO seems to have appreciated some of my contributions on the issue.

Here’s Wayne’s thoughts about my upcoming Documentary “For Such A Time As this” that is in Post Production: He’s very sweet.

“Lisa Darden’s documentary is one of the most important and eagerly anticipated projects in the nation. She has explored every conceivable angle and adds a startling depth that surpasses other efforts I have encountered. Her knowledge of this subject matter is as impressive as the interviews she has filmed. I enthusiastically await what promises to be a show-stopping, conversation-starting production that will force people on all sides to take a fresh look at this issue and reevaluate strongly held assumptions. ‘For Such a Time as This’ will surely be a groundbreaking and historic moment in cinema.”

Wayne Besen
Executive Director, Truth Wins Out

Thanks Wayne- I hope so! But I gotta tell you ain’t been easy!

Peace and Love!! Be good to each other.

Lisa

As someone who has been working on this topic for many years and is editing countless hours of footage down to a cohesive story-line and message on this topic, I can attest to the difficulty of navigating this issue with both sides of the divide and “getting it right” . Its not easy and Its not a 1 or 2 hour show it is a series in and of itself. I know I have been working on a film and a series myself for several years. This is tough topic and both-sides can be brutal to each other. This is not for the faint of heart. It is hard.

This is another opportunity to educate. Talk to Ling and others and instead of tearing it down and throwing out the baby with the bath water. Highlight the helpful pieces and build from there. Yes point out what was missing but also point out what was there. Constructive criticism is helpful. Turn her and others on to The American Prayer Hour and what is happening in Uganda because of some of these programs.

It is an education process and a new and wider audience is being exposed to it for the first time. Many of us have been in it for years and we know the landscape and the score. Many of us preach to the choir and maybe now there will be some new and unexpected audience members tuning in- but what are they going to tune into? Build on it don’t tear it all down- recognize the opportunity here. Some of the people who tuned in have never heard of any of this before believe it or not.

Make your voice strong, clear and positive. You’ll get more flies with honey and an opportunity to share the facts as you know them. Good luck.

Personally, I was not looking for Ling to be affirming. I was simply looking for her to report facts, not to repeat the unsubstantiated claims that the public has heard from Exodus since it rose to public fame in 1998. I mean, c’mon folks, that was 13 years ago.

I appreciated the attention given to TNP, but much of the crowd that Ling tried to bridge to, will view TNP as a band of pedophiles no matter what she says about them. In fact, Exodus already brands such groups as predators — something that Ling did not mention.

In a 90-minute program (two hours minus commercials) she could easily have included 2 minutes about the Exodus conference seminars and speakers who rally parents and pastors to discriminate, to oppose antibullying programs, to disrupt the relationships of their gay relatives, and to consider less-than-voluntary treatment at Exodus “ministries” in the South. She could have spent another 2 minutes on Janet Boynes’ active support for antigay bullying, defamation, and imprisonment.

Four minutes in a 90-minute show. That’s not too much to expect from someone who presents herself as a professional journalist.

Instead, during both the infotainment program and the call-in show that followed, she consciously excluded experts who could have warned about the politics of Boynes and of Exodus conferences. And she denied callers any opportunity whatsoever to engage with Janet Boynes. Why invite Boynes onto the call-in show if Boynes was unwilling to discuss any facts?