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This is the first of a two-part interview with Stephen Black [clik HERE to listen], executive director of First Stone Ministries, and a man who left homosexuality behind. This show aired May 28, 2011, and was taped on May 25, the 25th anniversary of Black’s marriage to wife Robin. Stephen tells of his exposure to pornography at a very young age, and an incident that led to taunts of being “queer.” Then, at age nine, Stephen was molested by an adult man who was visiting the family. Later, he engaged in sex “games” with another boy. Black writes in his bio:
“The reason the Lord has reminded me of the things I went through was to demonstrate that, though many people claim they are born gay, it is childhood influences and not genetics that incline one to homosexuality. Many say that they have had desires for the same sex as long as they can remember. I was a very little boy when all this started in my life. I was opened up to sexual perversion and demonic influences at a very young age . Yet, I had never really thought about all these episodes until the Lord reminded me of them after coming out of homosexuality.”
Part Two of this interview is scheduled to be aired July 2.
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Come out Friday, June 17, 2011 to hear a wonderful testimony of God’s power to change people!
NOTE TO AFTAH SUPPORTERS: We’ve been trying to get ex-lesbian Linda Jernigan — a dynamite speaker wth a heart-warming Christian testimony — to AFTAH for a year, and it looks like it is finally going to happen! This talk was planned for a year ago, but Linda was called away on an emergency, and we never rescheduled it. We apologize for the (long) delay, but are thrilled that Linda will be with us to speak to one of the modern myths taking hold in America: that homosexuality is inherent and even something to be “proud” of. If you live in Chicagoland, come out to hear Linda tell her life story; you will not regret coming!
Linda will also speak on a new Illinois project that AFTAH is supporting: the Illinois Defense of Marriage Initiative (IDMI), which would put a Advisory Referendum on the ballot in 2012 in support of marriage as it really is: betweeen a man and a woman. See www.DefendMarriageIL.org or more details. — Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org
Former lesbian Linda Jernigan (right) presents on “What’s wrong with ‘Gay Pride.” Jernigan, a Christian evangelist (www.rescuinghomosexuals.net), is now 11 years “out” of the homosexual lifestyle. She will share from her life experiences, which include being seduced into the lesbian lifestyle as a preteen by an older woman who was supposed to be her “mentor.”
Location:Americans For Truth offices at 25W560 Geneva Rd., Carol Stream, IL (just west of the intersection of Gary and Geneva Rds. in Carol Stream). Park in the rear of the building.
Details: Casual dinner at 6:00 precedes talk, which begins at 7:00 PM; there will be ample time for Q & A with Linda. Freewill donations accepted to cover costs of the event.
Watch Linda speak at our recent pro-traditional-marriage rally in Chicago:
Listen to Linda’s AFTAH Radio Hour Interview: Jernigan, based in Chicago, was interviewed for the Americans For Truth Hour last year. You can listen to Part One of the interview HERE, and Part Two HERE. All AFTAH interviews are archived on the AFTAH Hour web page.
New ballot efforts seeks voter referendum on “gay marriage/civil unions” in Illinois in 2012
Note: it is outrageous that the State of lllinois would even consider FORCING religious adoption agencies (or irreligious agencies, for that matter) to place children in homes that are motherless or fatherless by design. Adults (proudly) practicing homosexuality are not good role models for impressionable children, who need a mom and a dad. (No, the sexes are not interchangeable.) The new Illinois “Civil Unions” law — rammed through Springfield in a lame-duck session — must be repealed to preserve religious liberty in the Land of Lincoln. “Exemptions” — even if they are strengthened — won’t preserve freedom.
In the meantime, a new movement has been launched to place an Advisory Referendum on “same-sex marriage” (and “civil unions”) on the Illinois ballot in 2012. Almost 300,000 signatures of Illinos voters must be gathered and turned into the Illlinois Board of Elections by April 2012 to make that happen. To get involved, go to www.DefendMarriageIllinois.org and download a petition and instructions. — Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333; tc@tcpr.net; June 7, 2011
Catholic Leaders Take Legal Action Over Risk of Losing Foster Care Services
Catholic Charities in Illinois Seek Remedy for Best Interests of Children, Families
(SPRINGFIELD, IL) Leaders of three Catholic dioceses – the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, Peoria and Joliet – took legal action today as their charities fight to continue their work in serving the best interests of thousands of needy children and families throughout the state.
In March of this year, the Attorney General’s office issued a letter stating that the office “received notice that Catholic Charities … discriminates against Illinois citizens based on race, marital status and sexual orientation” in the provision of foster care and adoption services and demanded that Catholic Charities turn over a wide range of documents in response. The June 1 law authorizing civil unions in Illinois has raised further questions and criticism about Catholic Charities’ longstanding position not to place children for adoption and foster care with non-married couples who live together – regardless of sexual orientation.
This lawsuit, filed in Sangamon County Circuit Court, seeks a declaration that the charities are in full compliance with Illinois law in their current practices and an injunction against further action by Illinois government officials to the contrary. The charities argue both that the Illinois Human Rights Act exempts religious adoption agencies from the provisions relied upon by the Attorney General’s office and that the new Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act includes an express protection for the religious freedom of entities like Catholic Charities.
‘Gay’ “Bullying Tactics” won’t dissuade marriage defenders, says TFP leader
Pro-homosexual "marriage" activist attacks TFP banner that proclaimed marriage as it truly is: between a man and a woman. TFP members shouted "Aggressor!" as the assailant did his dirty deed. Later, a TFP member was hit in the head by a beer bottle thrown from a car passing by.
Folks, we’ve seen this nasty brand of homosexual bullying and intolerance so often that we’re no longer shocked by it. Watch the TFP Student Action video as peaceful TFP members shout “Aggressor!” as this troubled man walks up and destroys their banner, in Fairport, New York. Imagine if a bunch of pro-family activists did this to a pro-“gay banner” banner! (CBS, ABC, NBC, and CNN would be lining up to tell the story.) TFP is a Catholic group that has done yeoman’s work standing up for real marriage across the nation. Watch the TFP Student Action video at their website HERE. — Peter LaBarbera,. www.aftah.org
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Video: Pro-Homosexual Advocate Destroys Traditional Marriage Banner in New York
Contact: Contact: John Ritchie, American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property, 717-495-5427
As young TFP volunteers stood at the corner of Main Street and Church Street with signs, a pro-homosexualist hurled himself against the group’s thirteen foot long banner inscribed with “God’s Marriage = 1 Man & 1 Woman.” The banner, held by three volunteers, was knocked down and violently torn to pieces.
UPDATE: Since AFTAH re-aired her Columbus Truth Academy speech, Prof. Rena Lindevaldsen has published a book, “Only One Mommy: A Woman’s Battle for Her Life, Her Daughter, and Her Freedom: The Lisa Miller Story.” It is available through Amazon HERE; go here for Rena’s blog, “Only One Mommy.” Go HERE for Rena’s Facebook page.
The following presentation [click HERE to listen] is excerpted from a speech by Liberty University School of Law Prof. Rena Lindevaldsen was made at the Truth Academy in Columbus, Ohio, April 1-2, 2011 — sponsored jointly by Americans For Truth About Homosexuality and Mission America. We aired Prof. Lindevaldsen’s talk (edited down slightly from the original, without the ‘Q&A’ session) on the “Americans For Truth Hour” radio program May 21, 2011. Lindevaldsen discusses the escalating “gay” activist campaign to establish homosexuality — and same-sex “marriage” — as a “civil right.” She discusses the growing threat to religious and First Amendment freedoms arising from pro-homosexual court rulings and policies. Lindevaldsen explains how President Obama is undermining the Defense of Marriage Act, and warns that religious liberty will suffer a crushing blow if homosexuals receive favored “suspect class” status in the law. NOTE: All of Prof. Lindevaldsen’t excellent presentations at AFTAH’s Truth Academies are available below:
Order Truth Academy Sets: DVDs of Chicago 2010 or CDs of Columbus 2011— Rena Lindevaldsen has spoken at both of AFTAH’s Truth Academies. Columbus 2011: A 13-CD AUDIO set of this year’s two-day Truth Academy in Columbus, OH — co-sponsored by Mission America — is available for just $49 postpaid. This 13-CD set includes the full talk above by Prof. Lindevaldsen, as well as presentations by Greg Quinlan, Matt Barber, Linda Harvey, Gary Glenn, Prof. Rob Gagnon, Peter LaBarbera and WorldNetDaily’s David Kupelian. Chicago 2010: A DVD-video set of the entire three-day Truth Academy — featuring two talks by Rena Lindevaldsen — is available for $89 (including postage). Other Chicago speakers include: Robert Knight, Barber, Quinlan, Ryan Sorba, Laurie Higgins, Gagnon, Arthur Goldberg, Cliff Kincaid and AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera. Double order discount: Order BOTH Truth Academy sets (the Chicago DVD-VIDEO and the Columbus CD-AUDIO) for a discount price of $129 (postage included). Send your check and specify your order to AFTAH, PO Box 5522, Naperville, IL 60567-5522; or give online at www.americansfortruth.com/donate/ (please use PayPal if possible). Send queries to americans
HOW TO LISTEN: This is an mp3 file, supported in most operating systems by Windows Media Player, Quick Time and/or I-Tunes. Do not use Real Player. It is not supported and there may be difficulty listening with it. Left click once on the link below to play. (Please be patient, depending upon the speed of your internet connection it may take a moment or two to load.) OR right click the link then “save target as” to download the whole show.
Pro-family advocates in Chicago rally against the new "Civil Unions" law in Illinois. The bill, HB 1716, was passed in a lame-duck session and ironically called the "Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act" despite the fact that its passage immediately put Illinois citizens' religious and First Amendment liberties in jeopardy. Photo by Lynn Thomas; click to enlarge.
Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (www.aftah.org); June 1, 2011
CHICAGO–Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans For Truth About Homosexuality and a principal behind the Illinois Defense of Marriage Initiative (www.DefendMarriageIL.org), issued the following statement on the new Illinois “Civil Unions” law that takes effect today:
Homosexual behavior is always wrong, according to the broad sweep of Judeo-Christian history, so it is tragic to behold the State of Illinois – or any government entity – recognizing immoral same-sex relationships and treating them like marriage. Moreover, for the City of Chicago and Gov. Pat Quinn to celebrate homosexuality with a mass Civil Union ceremony June 2nd is an act of hubris and defiance toward the Creator that mocks His wonderful plan for real marriage – the sacred union of a man and a woman to produce children and family. The pandering Quinn – epitomizing the modern Democratic politician –mocks his own professed Catholicism by working tirelessly to undermine its clear moral dictates.
The anti-Christian Civil Unions law must be repealed. It was passed in a lame-duck session that once again revealed the contempt that liberal Illinois lawmakers have for the citizens they are supposed to serve. Ironically, shortly after passage of this bill – mischievously titled the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act –religious liberty for Illinois citizens and religious institutions was immediately put in jeopardy. A homosexual male couple targeted Paxton, Illinois, bed-and-breakfast owners Jim and Beth Walder – who now face prosecution by the State because they refuse – as Christians – to hold “civil union” ceremonies celebrating homosexuality on their own business property. And theRockford Diocese’s Catholic Charities announced that it will halt its state-funded foster care and adoption services rather than be forced by the State of Illinois to place children in same-sex households that are motherless or fatherless by design.
