Core Issues

Download session by Mario Bergner, Christine Sneeringer and Thomas Yap

Brochure here. Statement on D|emonstration here.

Christine and Mario        We welcome dialogue with our friends - here with Pastor Hadden Wilson

Free downloads:

Mario Bergner - Session 1 On Being Human.mp3
Mario Bergner - Session 2 Sin, The Cross and the True Self.mp3
Christine Sneeringer - Session 3 Holy Father Love.mp3
Mario Bergner - Session 4 Sense of Being and Well Being.mp3
Thomas Yap - Session 5: Sexual Addiction.mp3

Christine Sneeringer - Session 6 : Journey out of Lesbianism available on CD (£1.00+postage)

Media

Christian "Homosexual Cure" Conference Sparks Protest - Independent
Protests planned at gay "cure" church forum - Belfast Telegraph
I'm gay and these people claim they can cure me - Irish Independent
Anti gay cure group protest outside convention - Pink News

Statement on Demonstration : February 17, 2010

The organisers of the "Setting Love in Order" Conference thank the LGBT community for its interest in this event. We welcome constructive critical input and transparent debate around the area of sexual identity and the right of individuals to align sexuality to personal values.

We uphold a view that much of the Church of Christ has clear teaching on the subject of homosexuality as falling short of God's intended purpose. Individuals and groups interested in the event this coming weekend should note that on this occasion, the conference is a Christian gathering focussing primarily on Biblical teaching, rather than on therapeutic principles.

CORE does associate itself with therapeutic professionals who respect individual's rights to self-determine sexual identity - by choosing to seek possible pathways to change, who align themselves to accepted therapeutic practices. It cautiously points to emerging evidence[1] that change is possible for some, that human sexuality is fluid and that homosexuality is not innate -although there is some heritable contribution to homosexual feelings.

CORE rejects the dogmatic and unsubstantiated assertion that change is impossible and that psychotherapeutic support is unhelpful or harmful. In the words of the American Psychological Association:

"there is little in the way of credible evidence that could clarify whether SOCE [Sexual Orientation Change Efforts] does or does not [emphasis added] work in changing same-sex sexual attractions"[2]

CORE looks forward to constructive dialogue with the LGBT community around the issues it currently highlights in several media articles, and wishes to contribute in combating prejudice and stigma against people with same-sex attractions.

Mike Davidson Director: Core-Issues Trust
Belfast 17 February, 2010

[1] For example: Jones and Yarhouse (2007) Ex-gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation; and (2009) Ex-Gays?: An Extended Longitudinal Study of Attempted Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation.
[2] Report on the APA Task Force on: Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation (2009)

Posted by: michael

01/05/10

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