Summer Camp with a difference

I've read a mind-boggling story recently on a young person's blog. You will notice that I haven't linked directly to the blog. Whilst his blog is in the public domain, he is a minor and I feel uncomfortable in showing his identity. I'm sure you could find it, if you really want to.

The general story is as follows:

A young man tells his Christian parents that he is gay. They ask him what they did wrong in raising him and tell him he is mentally unwell. They tell him that he has to attend a Christian camp.

"At Love In Action International, our belief is based on three foundational truths:

Truth One: There is no such creation as a "gay" or "homosexual" person. There is only homosexual attraction and behavior; accordingly, there can be no "change" from a sexual identity that never existed in the first place.

Truth Two: The truth for most men and women who struggle with homosexual behavior is that they will, at times, continue to experience attractions in large and small ways for a lifetime. It is often misleading and harmful to speak vaguely of "total" deliverance without mentioning the normal, ongoing struggles with temptations all believers have.

Truth Three: God sees homosexuality as sin like any other, and directs us to apply the same biblical model to it that we would to any other sin. His real solution for deliverance and healing is based on repentance and obedience."

The rules for "clients" are very restrictive (obviously I am unable to verify these so I have taken this young man's post at face value), and include such things as permitted hair styles; banned clothing (brands as well as types); limited or no access to secular books, music, television and shops; no outside contact; etc.

Unfortunately, I'm sure this story is all too familiar to many.

Hubby's response to the parents' actions was "they think they're doing the right thing". No he's not defending their actions but, as ever, he is my devil's advocate. I dive headlong with my heart into issues like this. Hubby gets me to step back and see all sides which is always a useful exercise (even if it does annoy me at times).

And yes, unfortunately, I presume his parents do think that they're doing the right thing. They obviously believe that homosexuality is an abomination, an illness of the soul, if you will. It is not my place to judge them as people but I will certainly question their beliefs. Surely they should want their son to be happy, accept him as he is and help him with love and support to grow into a well-adjusted adult. Let's face it being a teenager is hard enough - coming to terms with independence, first forays into adult responsibilities and relationships, making choices about futher education and career, peer pressure, exams, etc.

I would argue that homosexuality is simply a state of being. It's not a deviation from the accepted "norm". Science now knows (roughly) what makes boys boys and girls girls. Perhaps one day they will know why some people are straight and some gay (although in the current climate of intolerance, it's probably a good idea if they can't do that for a while!).

Gender is not a 0/1 or should I say XX/XY issue. At one end of the scale there are strong masculine men, at the other gentle feminine women, and real people in between. In fact, there are some cultures who recognise five distinct genders. Science accepts that the male/female divide is not as clear cut as once thought. By the same token, sexual/gender orientation is recognised as being varied - straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual and intersex.

We're all variations on a theme. A musical piece would be very boring if played on one note.

The human race is beautiful because it contains diversity.