Alan Chambers (activist)

For other people named Alan Chambers, see Alan Chambers (disambiguation).

Alan Manning Chambers (born February 21, 1972)[1] is the former president of Exodus International[2] and co-founder of Speak. Love., headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Before coming to Exodus, Chambers served on the pastoral team at Calvary Assembly of God, one of the largest churches in Orlando.[3]

On June 19, 2013, Chambers repudiated the organization's mission in a nearly hour-long talk at the organization's 38th annual meeting.[4] He co-founded Speak. Love. with two other former Exodus leaders later that year.

Background

Chambers was actively involved in promoting policies that in his view preserve and protect traditional marriage and the family. He testified before the Massachusetts state judiciary committee on same-sex marriage.[5][6] He was also a member of the Arlington Group,[7] a coalition working to pass legislation against same-sex marriage.

Chambers says that he has mostly overcome his attraction to men (although he does speak openly about his own ongoing sexual attraction to men[8]); however, he rejects the term ex-gay.[9][10] He is married to Leslie Chambers and has two adopted children.[3][11] He travels extensively and is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer at conferences, churches and college campuses. He has debated at many university campuses, such as the University of California at Berkeley, Pepperdine University and Reformed Theological Seminary.

Prior to Exodus International's annual conference in 2012, Chambers stated, "I do not believe that cure is a word that is applicable to really any struggle, homosexuality included.... For someone to put out a shingle and say, 'I can cure homosexuality' — that to me is as bizarre as someone saying they can cure any other common temptation or struggle that anyone faces on Planet Earth."[8] In July 2012, while appearing on NBC's Hardball, Chambers stated that he always believed the catchphrase "Pray away the gay" to be a lazy stereotype and one that he never used, as it invalidates the nature of the complex issue surrounding homosexuality. Chambers went on to tell host Michael Smerconish that he has same-sex attraction, and for anyone to say he does not have temptations, or that he could never be tempted, or does not have same-sex attraction is not true.[12][13] He has also come out as bisexual, by admitting to having experienced attraction to both sexes.[14]

In June 2013, he closed the organization with a public apology to the LGBT community, saying that "For quite some time we’ve been imprisoned in a worldview that’s neither honoring toward our fellow human beings, nor biblical." He remarked that he will now seek to create "safe, welcoming and mutually transforming communities.”[15]

Works

Books

Articles

Interviews

He has been interviewed by numerous television, radio and print outlets across North America and Europe, including WORLD, TIME, ABC’s 20/20, MSNBC’s Buchanan & Press and ABC’s Nightline.[19] His editorials have appeared in The Orlando Sentinel and The Boston Globe.[3]

Television interviews

Print interviews

Accolades

In 2011, WORLD named Chambers as their "Daniel of the Year," for his stance on Christian issues.[31] Chambers was listed in Charisma magazine as one of the top Christian leaders who represent the future of the American church.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://twitter.com/AlanMChambers/statuses/171583529090695168
  2. ↑ Exodus International - Board of Directors
  3. 1 2 3 4 Exodus International - Biography of Alan Chambers
  4. ↑ Tenety, Elizabeth, "Exodus International, criticized for ‘reparative therapies’ for gay Christians, to shut down", Washington Post, June 20, 2013. Included link to video of Chambers' talk at Exodus' website. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  5. ↑ A BLOG BY ALAN CHAMBERS: Massachusetts Marriage Affirmation & Protection Amendment
  6. ↑ "Alan Chambers: President, Exodus International". NewsGuests.com. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  7. ↑ Members
  8. 1 2 "Archived copy". Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  9. ↑ A BLOG BY ALAN CHAMBERS: Great Thread at ExGay Watch
  10. ↑ Approaching agreement in debate over homosexuality
  11. ↑ Alan Chambers, God's Grace and the Homosexual Next Door, Eugene: Harvest House, 2006, p36
  12. ↑ http://exodusinternational.org/2012/07/alan-chambers-interviewed-by-msnbcs-hardball
  13. ↑ http://video.msnbc.msn.com/hardball/48126418#48126418
  14. ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/djpeisner/the-man-behind-the-historic-implosion-of-the-ex-gay-movement#.qfarJa2OV
  15. ↑ http://www.kansascity.com/2013/06/20/4303691/christian-group-apologizes-to.html#storylink=cpy
  16. ↑ Pride and prejudice: Montel Williams style
  17. ↑ How Will You Respond To Homosexuality?
  18. ↑ How Will You Respond to Homosexuality?
  19. ↑ Exodus International - Board of Directors
  20. ↑ http://lifeoutreach.httpsvc.vitalstreamcdn.com/lifeoutreach_vitalstream_com/SWF/2007/10/1029.swf
  21. ↑ CNN.com - Transcripts
  22. ↑ Study Says Gays Can Change Orientation - U.S. - CBN News
  23. ↑ YouTube - CNN Paula Zahn Now 06.27.07 - So-Called Gay "Cure"
  24. ↑ YouTube - Mike & Juliet - ex-gays (Pt1)
  25. ↑ YouTube.com - Kara Blizzard Hates Homosexuals
  26. ↑ "God and Gays: Historical Timeline Infographic," OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, 19 June 2013, accessed 8 July 2013.
  27. ↑ The Transgender Moment | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction
  28. ↑ An Older, Wiser Ex-Gay Movement | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction
  29. ↑ WORLD Magazine | Today's News, Christian Views
  30. ↑ New Man eMagazine
  31. ↑ 2011 Daniel of the Year, World Magazine

External links


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