Who defines “hate,” Richard? By classifying the outworking of Christianity and other major religions’ teachings against homosexuality as “hate,” you and fellow pro-homosexual activists become haters of a different sort, though you are blind to your hypocrisy. You despise (hate) the wisdom of Judeo-Christian tradition (on your pet issue) and you abhor (hate) the Bible’s clear teachings against homosexual practice. And then revisionist “gay theologians” cynically attempt to redefine the Word of God by whitewashing the sin of homosexual behavior.

All this leads you to vilify as “haters” those who simply disagree with you — i.e., well-meaning men and women who love God’s teachings on sex and marriage and try their best to follow them.

Your side especially excels at demonizing groups like Americans For Truth and people who counter the well-heeled “Gay” Lobby by defending historic morality in the public square. You regularly smear us as “haters” and homo-”phobes” when we have no hatred or irrational fear in our hearts. That is a mean (and hateful) thing to do to people of faith — even though I understand it as a utilitarian political tactic designed to advance your pro-homosexual agenda.  Many pro-family and pro-traditional-marriage advocates across the country have felt the sting of “gay” activist hate.

As to public policy on homosexuality and transsexuality, it is completely irrational to base “civil rights” on changeable, destructive and unnatural sexual/gender misbehavior — as opposed to unchangeable skin color. (There are zero “ex-Blacks” but thousands of ex-”gays.”) Homosexuality-based “rights” invariably war against religious freedom, as the (hateful) homosexual activist campaigns against the Boy Scouts of America, Prop 8 in California, and other religious organizations and individuals demonstrate. Your intolerant sexual agenda undermines true liberty by using the government to circumscribe Americans’ freedom to adhere to their moral beliefs; this is the un-American end result of “sexual orientation” laws.  Unfortunately for you, religious freedom is sacrosanct in this nation; we hope it will remain so and that the courts will uphold citizens’ constitutional right not to affirm and subsidize behavior they consider immoral.

Do you want to see the face of hate, Richard? Look in the mirror. Let me leave you with this plea: repent of your sins and follow God. He will wipe your slate clean. Jesus Christ loves sinners, but He does “hate” sin, and died in our place so that we could spend eternity with God, and not face the judgment we surely deserve as sinners who constantly fall short of His righteous and holy standard. I will ask AFTAH readers to pray for you.

Peter LaBarbera
Americans For Truth About Homosexuality
www.aftah.org

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Richard’s letter to Americans For Truth:

From: Richard S.
Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2009 1:29 AM
To: americansfortruth@comcast.net
Subject: [AFT Web Site] Freedom to Disagree

The following message was sent from the Americans for Truth Web site:

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Yes Peter, AFTAH and all other hate groups in America have complete freedom to publish, preach, and teach all the hate they choose to publish, preach, and teach. The Constitution holds for all. What hates [sic] groups such as AFTAH can not do is discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender expression, sex, race, or religion in public accomodations [sic], employment, and other areas of public life. It is really rather simple: in public act civilized, in private hate anyone you wish as hatefully as you wish. I note you never publish nor reply to my rational and truthful letters. Odd, that is.

I sent a version of the following letter to Jeff, who wrote Americans For Truth in February urging us to respect the “civil rights” of homosexuals (who he believes are born that way). Jeff’s letter is beneath mine at bottom. — Peter LaBarbera:

Peter LaBarbera’s Letter to Jeff:

…Jeff, I doubt the accuracy of your numbers (I believe 1-3 percent of the population is homosexual), but did you know that there are many men and women who once identified as “gay” or “lesbian” who left that lifestyle and are now living happy lives free of homosexuality?  I respect them and their choices; do you? Have you ever met a former homosexual or read one of their testimonies?  If not, here’s a website for you to visit: www.exodus.to.  (Keep in mind that homosexual activists like Wayne Besen (www.truthwinsout.org) relentlessly demean, ridicule and even harass former homosexuals and the whole idea of “ex-gays” — strange conduct from a group that demands tolerance and respect from others.)

We disagree on the morality of homosexual practice, it’s that simple. I don’t ask you to “respect” all my decisions and behaviors — or my arguments — but I do ask you to respect my freedom to live according to my conscience, in a nation founded on religious freedom. And though as a Christian I respect the dignity of all human beings (who are made in the image of God), I will never respect the choice to embrace homosexual/bi/trans behavior — any more so than I would respect people self-identifying by any other sexual sin. (Of course, there are no Adultery Pride Parades.)

That said, speaking as a sinner myself, I have no use for people who hate homosexuals — who need the hope and grace of the Gospel like everyone else.  Rather, I would ask people practicing homosexuality to consider the possibility that they are wrong about this behavior (and their “gay” self-identity), and to be open to the possibility of leaving it through a relationship with Jesus Christ. (Of course, people can leave homosexuality and other sinful patterns without God, but I have found that the most satisfied ex-gays are those who have embraced Christ; see http://www.redeemedlives.org/index.asp, a ministry led by another ex-gay, Mario Bergner.)

So the gist of this debate is: do I and others like me have the right not to approve or subsidize behavior we consider immoral and changeable — or will that right be stripped from us in the name of “LGBT rights”?  Should a small businessman, say an Orthodox Jew with 25 employees, be required by the state to subsidize the homosexual relationships of his employees against his will?  You see, this is far different from traditional civil rights — based on unchangeable skin color — which perhaps explains why African Americans are the strongest sub-group in opposition to “same-sex marriage.”

Besides, the science isn’t in on the supposed “gay gene” so why do you assume it’s fact? (Check out the American Psychological Association’s recent retreat on the alleged innateness of homosexuality: http://www.washblade.com/2009/7-10/news/national/14849.cfm.)

Since you “care about freedom,” will you stand up strongly for the liberty of all Americans to live by their moral and religious beliefs, even if you don’t agree with or understand them?  I hope so.

Thanks for taking the time to write, and sorry for the late reply. We get thousands of emails a month and many are not as respectful as yours.

Sincerely,

Peter LaBarbera
President
Americans For Truth About Homosexuality
www.aftah.org

July 17, 2009

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Jeff’s Letter to AFTAH:

From: Jeff H. [mailto:--------]
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 12:59 PM
To: americansfortruth@comcast.net
Subject: introduction

Hi,

I am a straight man, married for 30 years. As an entrepreneur and capitalist I have created thousands of jobs. I am no “left wing” radical.

About 5% of the people of the world are gay or lesbian, one out of twenty people. Just as you and I didn’t pick our sexuality, they didn’t pick theirs. Their “agenda” is the agenda of civil rights. It is also my agenda and the agenda of everyone who cares about freedom.

It would be great if you were to respect all humans regardless of what their genes are, and fight for human rights for everyone.

Thank you for your time.

- Jeff

Dear Sir,

…. Are you saying that a holy God made your son to desire and have sex with other men — even though that same God in the Bible clearly and unequivocally condemns homosexual practice (Old and New Testaments)? Do you believe God designed nature so that “men who have sex with men” (MSM), to use sterile CDC terminology, even though MSM suffer disproportionately from all sorts of sexually transmitted diseases? With all due respect, I think that is an untenable position. (See Professor Rob Gagnon’s website, www.robgagnon.net, for more information on the Bible and homosexuality.)

I have met MANY ex-gay men and women who have overcome this lifestyle, and others who still fight homosexual attractions but are living chastely in accord with God’s Word and the teachings of their religion. (See www.sbministries.org, www.exodus.to, or http://couragerc.net/.) Why don’t you hold up those options as available to your son, rather than recasting God and His creation? I urge you to resist the temptation to cave in to the activist “gay” ideological mindset, which is antithetical to God’s revealed guidebook for our lives, the Bible.

Sincerely,

Peter LaBarbera
Americans For Truth About Homosexuality
www.aftah.com

 Letter to AFTAH:
——————————————————————————–
From: [name withheld]
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 12:59 PM
To: americansfortruth@comcast.net
Subject: [AFT Web Site] homosexuals

The following message was sent from the Americans for Truth Web site:

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I am a Christian, and my son is gay. After much prayer and [Pastoral] counseling I have learned the the one true God made my son with love and for a reason that I may not know. But God does have a plan, and [you] or I cannot question God\’s creations.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Gospel of John, 11:26-26)

By Peter LaBarbera

The following are excerpts from a critical note sent to me, and then my response. Note that in the future we will direct people to handy refutations of the ubiquitous homosexual “shellfish” canard, but for now we direct you to Professor Rob Gagnon’s website. “Ms.” writes:

“… God is love. The bible preaches about “loving thy neighbor”, “judge not lest ye be judged” as well as “he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Are you without sin? If you say no, you’re lying, that that would be a sin. .. so if you’re a sinner, and I am a sinner, and the whole world is full of sinful, worldly people, who are you to throw stones? Is it out of fear, or ignorance?

“You might come back and say, well, the old testament says a man shall not lie with another man as he does a woman. But the old testament is very outdated, even saying things such as it’s prohibited to eat shellfish, or wear clothes of mixed fibers. Why aren’t you making a website about the evils of shellfish, and banning the fishing industry from catching seafood other than fish? Or a radical cause to stop people from wearing polyester?

“I challenge you to have an intellectual conversation with a homosexual. If Jesus can talk to whores, I’m sure you can sit down at Starbucks and strike up a conversation. Maybe it’ll help you realize that we’re not out to steal your wives/husbands, molest your children or whatever it is you think is so vile about “us”. We’re just normal people trying to find our own slice of happiness.. what does our right to marry, and living a happy, healthy life, have to do with you?

“Have a great day, hopefully full of revelations and epiphanies.”

- Ms., 25

______________________________________

My reponse to “Ms”:

Today at 8:34am

[Ms.], I have “intellectual conversations” with homosexuals all the time. (See, there you made a false “judgment,” out of ignorance, I’m afraid.) We disagree on the morality of homosexual acts — plain and simple. I’m a sinner in need of God’s grace, but redefining my sins as part of my “proud” identity would be wrong. That’s how we view the “gay” movement. I’ve known and interviewed too many FORMER “gays” like Charlene Cothran and Yvette Schneider to believe that homosexuality is some fixed, innate identity. As for how your (new) “rights” affect me and those who agree with me, there is ample and growing evidence now that “gay rights” and historic American religious/moral freedoms cannot co-exist. Look at the case of the Christian photographer in New Mexico, who did not want to shoot a [lesbian couples'] wedding and was sued — and lost her case (it’s now on appeal). What about HER right to live by her beliefs? What about the right of an Orthodox Jewish small businessman NOT to subsidize homosexual employees’ relationships if he believes those relationships are based on (an egregious) sin?

Gotta go but I hope you can come to see that we merely disagree (yes, strongly) with homosexual behavior. I’d gladly have a cup of coffee with you and enjoy discussing the issues with the other side. Unlike some on my side of the issue, I always do interviews with the gay press. If a truly feared or hated homosexuals, I couldn’t do my job as I feel called to do: responding to the many PRO-GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender] groups.

Lastly, I’d be regretful if I didn’t tell you — on a Sunday no less — that there is a way out of homosexuality. I find that the most confident ex-gays are those who came out thru a born-again conversion to belief in Christ. Yesterday I read in the [Bible's] Book of John (Chapter 11) how Jesus Christ raised Lazarus from the dead. Every time I read that, I am filled with wonder. Surely, that same resurrection power can be put to work in the lives of sinners like us, to help us live in a way that is honoring to the loving God who made us.

May you be blessed. Thanks for the note.

Sincerely,

Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.com

Mr. LaBarbera never was a homosexual, and never struggled with homosexual urges. Your letter is based on homosexual activist misinformation and various ad hominem (and, frankly, childish) attacks against Mr. LaBarbera’s character. We do find it curious that apparently one of the worst charges that “gay” activists can level against their opponents is that they are … homosexuals. Thanks for writing.

– Americans For Truth About Homosexuality, www.aftah.com

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Letter from J. Walters via the AFTAH website

From: j walters
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 11:54 AM
To: americansfortruth@comcast.net
Subject: [AFT Web Site] peter

The following message was sent from the Americans for Truth Web site:

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when did mr labarbera renounce his homosexuality? has he successfully kept his urges at bay? does he think he’s playing with fire by placing himself in temptation’s path, or does he trust the Lord to keep him safe from his lust?

___________________

LaBarbera response to “Kyle”:

Kyle …

…I don’t know where my feelings of lust, etc., came from.  So should I join the Lust Pride Movement and rationalize the embrace of that sin. (I’ll call myself a “Luster,” which is analogous to you calling yourself “gay.”) Grow up, Kyle. This is the cop out of the century –– and then you go on to support “gay marriage” –– an incredible blasphemy against God, who created man and woman for each other.  You are responsible for your behavior –– period. Sodomy and all homosexual acts are deeply sinful, the Bible teaches (see Romans 1), so what does it mean to say your “orientation” is “gay”?  Repent and believe Jesus Christ as so many FORMER “gays” – now born again of God — have done. (See Steve Bennett’s wonderful story at www.sbministries.org.)  Are you born again? Do you deny Jesus Christ has the power to help you heal or at least help you remain out of homosexual sin?  There is NO way a faithful Christian can embrace homosexuality.  You are deeply deluded, but there is hope in the Lord, and He WILL forgive you if you humble yourself and seek him like a child, and repent and accept Jesus’ death on the cross as the penalty for your sin. I suggest you start by reading the Gospel of John.

God bless you –– and try reading the Bible to apprehend who God is, so you can conform yourself to His holiness (a never-ending process) –– rather than seeking to conform God to YOUR image of what YOU think He should be, and what YOU think He should accept. All the best on your journey: www.biblegateway.com.

Sincerely,

Peter LaBarbera
Americans For Truth
www.aftah.org

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Letter from “Kyle” to Americans For Truth:

From: Kyle
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 12:22 PM
To: americansfortruth@comcast.net
Subject: [AFT Web Site] Gay Rights and Religion

The following message was sent from the Americans for Truth Web site:

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I\’m a gay Catholic (yes, it is possible). The Church teaches that for something to be a sin, the person doing the action must fully know what they are doing is wrong and then freely choose to do the action anyway, yet the Catechism teaches that being gay is not a choice. Therefore according to the church being gay is not a sin. If that\’s true, then why do they campaign against it so much? Do they not realize that God made me just as He made you and your family and everyone else you know? And one more thing. I firmly believe that the gay marriage ban in several states is unconstitutional and should be repealed, as there are nearly 1,200 rights that are only guaranteed through marriage. Since gay marriage is illegal in almost every state, the laws banning it are unconstitutional! I can\’t wait for the Supreme Court to rule in favor of our community. And quite honestly, if you have a problem with my arguments, please either respond to me or post it on your webpage.

Jeffrey writes via AFTAH’s website:

I’m a little concerned about your single-minded obsession about the particular sin of homosexuality. Sin is sin, whether its violating the law by speeding, child molestation, or drug dealing, the point is that it is all “missing the mark.” I understand that it’s easier to concentrate on the sins that we don’t have so much trouble with, but sin is sin, and if you can’t accept that you better start taking your own inventory! — Jeffery

Dear Jeffrey,

Americans For Truth is one of a handful of organizations that are merely responding to the many groups — spending tens of millions dollars more than our side — that have a “single-minded obsession” about PROMOTING homosexuality, which they do not regard as sinful. Do you recommend “unilateral disarmament” from our side in this ‘Culture War’ over homosexuality? Would you judge and condemn us for merely trying to put up a response to the “gay” activist juggernaut that is trying to radically redefine marriage, proselytize children in destructive, pro-homosexualist and gender-confused ideologies, subvert Scriptural teachings against homosexual sin, and deny — like so many flat-earthers — the existence of former homosexuals who have overcome this sin through Jesus Christ?

Also, just because we are trying to defend historic Judeo-Christian morality as it applies to this particular sin does not mean that I and other Christians do not take a daily “inventory” of our own sins and shortcomings. We all “fall short of the glory of God and are justified” — not by our own good works — but “freely by his grace through the redemption” of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23). I suggest that until you have a good answer as to why people of faith should merely roll over to the Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, GenderPAC and the hundreds of other homosexuality-celebrating organizations across the USA, you show us a little grace — or even better, help us in the battle to defend truth on this vexing issue.

Sincerely,

Peter LaBarbera
Americans For Truth
www.americansfortruth.org
americansfortruth@comcast.net