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Dec 6th, 2017
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Joined: Aug 2005
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OP
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This is medieval  A few months before he took a toxic mix of drugs and died on a stranger’s couch, Nicklaus Ellison wrote a letter to his little sister. He asked for Jolly Ranchers, Starburst and Silly Bandz bracelets, some of the treats permitted at the substance abuse program he attended in Florida.
Then, almost as an aside, Mr. Ellison wrote about how the Christian-run program that was supposed to cure his drug and alcohol problem had instead “de-gayed” him.
“God makes all things new,” Mr. Ellison wrote in bright green ink.
“The weirdest thing is how do I come out as straight after all this time?” To his family and friends, Mr. Ellison’s professed identity change was just one of many clues that something had gone wrong at the program, Teen Challenge, where he had been sent by a judge as an alternative to jail.
"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce
"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky
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Joined: Jul 2004
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All of this is dangerous. In the South you are hard pressed to get folks to question these programs. Many times when God is invoked well meaning people turn a blind. I have a deep faith but it is rooted in otherworldly matters rather than a book, doctrine or dogma. I am comfortable questioning where many are not.
sure, you can talk to god, but if you don't listen then what's the use? so, onward through the fog!
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Joined: Sep 2011
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Moderator Carpal Tunnel
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Moderator Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 17,985 Likes: 178 |
I am imagining the outrage that would have occurred had the clause stated that "arbitration will be conducted under Sharia law."
A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.
Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich
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Joined: Aug 2005
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OP
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I am imagining the outrage that would have occurred had the clause stated that "arbitration will be conducted under Sharia law." Exactly! It is astounding how they can take a perfectly good idea (trying to cure young folks of addiction instead of jailing them) and muck it all up with this faux Christianity. I guess as long as there are zealots (of any religion) there will be atrocities like these.
"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce
"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,125 Likes: 250
It's the Despair Quotient! Carpal Tunnel
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It's the Despair Quotient! Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,125 Likes: 250 |
I am imagining the outrage that would have occurred had the clause stated that "arbitration will be conducted under Sharia law." Amid all of the sound and fury over encroaching Sharia Law, most folks have ignored or been unaware of the fact that rabbinical courts have existed in this country for well over a century. No outrage, no dire warnings of "Jew courts" taking over the nation's legal system, not even fears of a matzoh ball riot. I suspect that most rabbinical courts will support "de-gayification" efforts, yes? The real question is, would a Christian based program like Teen Challenge accept a gay Jew in their midst, or would they be too busy checking to see if the kid had horns.
"The Best of the Leon Russell Festivals" DVD
deepfreezefilms.com
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Administrator Bionic Scribe
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Administrator Bionic Scribe
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583 |
This is outrageous! What ever happened to treating those as you would wish to be treated? That is what Christ taught. The way described in this article sounds more like Satan masquerading as a Christian. These centers should be illegal. They are akin to torture. Their methods are cruel and unusual punishment. Isn't there an amendment against practices of these sorts?
milk and Girl Scout cookies ;-)
Save your breath-You may need it to blow up your date.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 17,985 Likes: 178
Moderator Carpal Tunnel
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Moderator Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 17,985 Likes: 178 |
This is my biggest concern with these kinds of things - this was, apparently, being paid for by the State. That being the case, including scriptural anything is contrary to the First Amendment (and as applied to the States by the 14th Amendment). But using the coercive power of the State to force indoctrination is particularly barbaric, and a specific violation of the First/Fourteenth Amendment. I'd hope (but seriously doubt) that the Judge was unaware of the basis of Teen Challenge's "counseling" - if he did, impeachment would be the appropriate result. Again, not that it would ever happen.
A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.
Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388
old hand
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388 |
This is my biggest concern with these kinds of things - this was, apparently, being paid for by the State. That being the case, including scriptural anything is contrary to the First Amendment (and as applied to the States by the 14th Amendment). But using the coercive power of the State to force indoctrination is particularly barbaric, and a specific violation of the First/Fourteenth Amendment. I'd hope (but seriously doubt) that the Judge was unaware of the basis of Teen Challenge's "counseling" - if he did, impeachment would be the appropriate result. Again, not that it would ever happen. Yes, I doubt that the Judge didn't know. But even if he really didn't, some prior investigation might have been in order. This is truly medieval and barbaric and (I would think) qualifies as cruel (hard to know if prison would have been worse).
"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce
"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583
Administrator Bionic Scribe
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Administrator Bionic Scribe
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583 |
I Googled this subject, and conversion therapy(as it is known) is banned in some states for minors. California, New Jersey, Oregon and the District of Columbia are the only four.
Maybe we can get this done nation-wide.
milk and Girl Scout cookies ;-)
Save your breath-You may need it to blow up your date.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388
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OP
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Absolutely! 
"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce
"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky
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