The Minnesota Star-Tribune reports that a University of Minnesota professor is demanding that Apple remove from its online store a smart-phone app that he contends distorts his research on homosexuality to support the argument that homosexuality is a behaviour that can be changed. Doctor Gary Remafedi, director of the Youth and AIDS Projects and a professor of paediatrics at the University of Minnesota, sent a letter Monday to Apple founder Steven Jobs and its interim CEO, Tim Cook, writing in part that the Exodus International app "erroneously cites my research in support of claims that homosexuality can be changed. ... Associating my work with that of the ex-gay ministry and other unfounded treatments is professionally injurious and grievous." In an interview Monday, he said Exodus' app falsely cites his research as saying the young people are "confused" about their sexual orientation. The Florida-based Exodus International, which describes itself as "the world's largest worldwide ministry to those struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction," says its app is "a useful resource for men, women, parents, students and ministry leaders." Truth Wins Out said the app directs users to a Web page that answers various questions about homosexuality, among them that "If people are same-sex attracted but don't ever act on it, does that make them homosexual?" In the answers, Exodus "twists the findings of Dr. Remafedi" from 1992 to make it appear homosexuality is "just a transitory phase in youth," Truth Wins Out said in a statement. Remafedi said he has challenged many misrepresentations of his work over the years and has had "100 percent" success in doing so. He said an Apple administrator sent him an e-mail in response to his letter. "They said they are on it," Remafedi said. "I am simply pointing out a problem. I'm sure they will do the right thing."
And Exodus International also insists it – and its app – is being grossly misrepresented, The Christian Post reporting that Jeff Buchanan, Exodus’ International Senior Director of Church Equipping & Student Ministries, said that "In no way shape or form is our message about trying to cure or do we try to promote that type of methodology or message. This is a label (gay cure app) that has been put forth by opponents to the application to serve as propaganda in order to stigmatize and really label the application in a false way and provoking a response such as you are seeing with the application." Buchanan, who worked on the app with third-party developers, and underlines that the app earned a 4+ rating from Apple, meaning there is no objectionable content and it is open to all ages, added “We ask that they would hold true to the initial rating that was given to us. Our message is to promote the love of Jesus Christ to all those who have been impacted by unwanted same-sex attractions," he continued. "Really, the point of the application is to provide the material that is also on our website in a smartphone format. Nothing more and nothing less." Buchanan also denies that Exodus promotes reparative therapy or "pray away the gay,” saying "We are helping those who have unwanted same-sex attractions. Those who are gay or identify themselves that way, in no way, shape or form are we trying to speak to their position or trying to impose anything upon them. Exodus believes the opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality. It is holiness. We promote the belief that one can live a life that is congruent with their faith. That is our mission - period. "
0 comments:
Post a Comment