In a blog post on June 1, Exodus International blames the Old Testament for the emergence of a fundamentalist Christian punk-rock music group which espouses Islamist-style genocide against homosexuals. Thomas also denies any responsibility — at headquarters or locally — for the decision by its Exodus affiliate in Minnesota to host that same music group.

Exodus executive vice president Randy Thomas says:

Using Old Testament scriptures to condemn a person to death is not “loving” … it is incomplete theology and powerfully irresponsible.

In other words, Thomas is saying: Don’t blame conservative Christians for the Jewish words of Leviticus — or for preoccupations with the Old Testament that result from Exodus’ own decades-long exploitation of politically selective Old Testament verses. Thomas tries to explain away Exodus’ literalist misuse of the Old Testament by diverting reader attention to the New Testament.

He (Jesus) died and paid the price for all of our sin, including those of us who have or do struggle with homosexuality.

Thomas is speaking of conservative Christians when he says “our” and “us” — not liberal Christians, not Jews, and certainly not atheists, Buddhists or anyone else whom Thomas deems to be spiritually unclean and ostracized.

In rejecting the literalism of music group You Can Run But You Can’t Hide (YCR) as “incomplete,” Exodus is in fact projecting its own incomplete literalism upon YCR. Exodus mandates belief in a literal Bible while averting public attention from the Bible’s numerous literal endorsements of rape, incest, polygamy, slaughter of innocents, bodily dismemberment, stoning, slavery, and ethnic and sexual bigotry. The legalism of YCR reflects the completion of Exodus’ own incomplete and politically neutered fundamentalist theology.

Regarding YCR’s youth outreach events (of which Exodus knew the content), Ex-Gay Watch observes:

At least from this writer’ understanding, there didn’t seem to be any trace of orthodox Christian theology present ‚Äî just constant worship of a nebulous idol called “the law.” These are the extremes of our age, and Dean in particular seems never to have met a conspiracy theory too wild to be considered seriously.

Exodus hosted YCR because it shares much of YCR’s legalism and its abusive “scared straight” attitude toward sinners. How, one may ask, is Exodus legalistic?

• Exodus practices religious legalism when it hosts a punk-rock group that is notorious in Minnesota for its legalism and its arrogant hatred of “sinners.”
• Exodus practices religious legalism when it routinely cites proof-texted Bible verses to justify discrimination and harassment against LGBT people, regardless of what the U.S. Constitution says about individual rights or the freedom of religious minorities.
• And Exodus practices religious legalism when it uses word games to dance around its responsibility for hosting the group — and for its “ministry” guidelines which encourage affiliation with abusive organizations and counselors.

For all his belated and elliptical criticism of the kill-the-gays group, Thomas declines to oppose antigay discrimination and imprisonment. He does not criticize either LWCC or Exodus representative Janet Boynes — a key ally in Exodus HQ’s battle against inclusion of sexual orientation in hate-crime laws — for hosting a notorious hate group, nor does he demand change in Exodus affiliate guidelines for hosted events.

At Exodus, no one is ever held responsible — except, of course, the supposed homosexual sympathizers who expose Exodus’ wrongdoing.

Weekly Column

The war over gay rights in America and other modern nations has been largely won. Too many people have come out of the closet and will never go back in for the clock to be turned back. Most of these out individuals have loyal friends and family members who offer unequivocal love and unqualified support. We have reached a tipping point where LGBT people are even coming out in traditionally conservative bastions where the issue has long been seen as taboo.

For example, in England, 6’3″, 225-pound rugby star Gareth Thomas recently came out. He was featured in a major Sports Illustrated spread detailing his life as the first openly gay male athlete in team sports. While no comparable male star has come out in America, Thomas’ brave journey sets the stage for this breakthrough to occur.

Gospel singers Ray Boltz and Tonex have acknowledged their sexual orientation, blazing a trail in a very homophobic environment. Country music crooner Chely Wright (pictured), who will be working with the LGBT organization Faith in America to combat religion-based bigotry, courageously came out this month.

While Ricky Martin’ announcement that he is gay did not seem to shock many people, it still had a significant impact in the Hispanic community and reverberated across Latin America. And, the recent support of marriage equality by Cindy McCain and Laura Bush gave fair-minded Republican women across this nation a green light to openly embrace their gay friends.

Daily advances suggest that the LGBT community is about fifteen years away from full equality. A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday indicates that 78 percent of the public supports allowing openly gay people to serve in the military, with only one in five opposed.

“Support is widespread, even among Republicans. Nearly six in ten Republicans favor allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military,” says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. “There is a gender gap, with 85 percent of women and 71 percent of men favoring the change, but support remains high among both groups.”

A new Gallup poll released Monday showed that while the number of Americans opposed to marriage equality continues to outnumber those in support of it, the number opposed has dropped to tie Gallup’ all-time low for the number. According to the poll, 53% of Americans oppose marriage equality compared to 44% who support it. The 53% number is tied with 2007′ 53% for the lowest opposition to gay marriage among Americans that Gallup has recorded.

In the next decade or so, a more supportive demographic will fully come of age and replace voters who hail from more conservative generations. During this period, we will witness an increasingly bitter and divisive culture war, as opponents sense defeat and grow desperate. There is no alternative to fighting these battles if we expect to win.

Often, I am asked the question: Why do you spend so much time focusing on religious extremists?

I spotlight these zealots because the only way we can now lose is if America is overthrown by a theo-fascist regime that obliterates the separation of church and state. Let me state clearly that it is highly unlikely that such a takeover will occur.

However, such a nightmare can only take place if we do not pay attention to our opponents. There is no shortage of Americans who desire an intolerant “Christian Nation” that excludes non-fundamentalists from first-class citizenship. I have traveled to rabidly right wing conferences, witnessed their radical vision for America and have seen the determination in their eyes. We should never underestimate their will or doubt their commitment to turn this country into the Christian version of Iran.

The one genuine concern I have is the enthusiastic embrace of fringe anti-gay activists by respectable members of the Republican Party. Strong ideological divisions combined with a weak economy and high unemployment could place in power Republicans beholden to fanatical elements. This could potentially create a dire situation where our opponents have the raw power to reverse the LGBT community’ notable gains.

If you don’t think they can do it, consider that the extreme right took over the Texas School Board and rewrote the history books. These same people would have no qualms about writing LGBT people out of America’ future.

Minnesota is a troubling example of GOP leaders in bed with extremists. According to the Minnesota Monitor, a radical anti-gay ministry, You Can Run But You Cannot Hide (YCR), has solidified ties to the Republican Party of this state. The group is linked to Rep. Michele Bachmann and gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.

YCR recently said on its radio show that Muslim countries that use the death penalty for gays and lesbians are “more moral than even the American Christians”. While this has caused Emmer to tiptoe away from YCR, the question remains, why is the GOP cavorting with crazies?

As we approach the finish line for equality, we must always keep one eye on the prize and the other on the awful surprise our theocratic foes desperately want to inflict on America. If they win, we lose. That is a lesson we don’t have the luxury of forgetting.

(Example in video of the crazy people we must face)