Now I’ve heard everything!!

Picture it: Bridgeport, Connecticut, June 24, 2009.  Yes, 2009!!

Now picture a 16-year-old boy lying on the floor of a small church. Strange you say? In most cases, probably not. But this was no ordinary chruch and no ordinary 16-year-old boy. For you see, this 16-year-old boy was on the floor of this small Connecticut church writhing and convulsing as the church elders were exorcising the “homosexual demons” from his body!!

Yes, I said “homosexual demons”. They were exorcising. From his body!

One woman yelled, “Rip it from his throat!” And, “Come on you homosexual demon! You homosexual spirit, we call you out right now! Loose your grip, Lucifer!”  Now, I would probably find that a sexy pick up line in a bar someplace. I mean, really, “homosexual demon”? I’ve been called worse.  And I DO have a homosexual spirit.  And I’m almost willing to bet my “homosexual soul” that Lucifer has nothing to do with it.

I say these things in jest, only because I find these proceedings particularly horrifying.  A 20 minute video of the exorcism was posted on YouTube by the Manifested Glory Ministries, but the video and account have both been deleted.  I’m sure you can find it on other video sites  if you really look hard enough. It is horrifying to say the least.

The video is being called “abuse” by gay and youth advocates, who are demanding an investigation.  A church official denied this week that the teenage boy was in anyway hurt or that the church is prejudiced. REALLY???

The Reverend (and I use that term very lightly) Patricia McKinney,  co-founder along with her husband, of the Manifested Glory Ministries, reportedly told the Associated Press: “We have nothing against homosexuals. I just don’t agree with their lifestyles.”

I can understand you not agreeing with the homosexual lifestyle. But then in this blogger’s opinion, I don’t think you can also say in the same breath that you have nothing against homosexuals. I mean, especially if you were exorcising so-called “homosexual demons” from this 16-year-old boy.  No?

And of course, the church declined to make the video available for broadcast by the Associated Press.  No big shocker there!! But to give you an idea of what the video contained, picture church members standing the boy up by holding him under his arms while organ music is playing and yelling things like:

“Come out of his belly! It’s in the belly–Push!!”

Now I am really confused. Is he possessed by “homosexual demons” or is he having a friggin’ baby?!?

Later the video shows the boy back on the floor breathing heavily and apparently puking into a bag.  I would be too, if someone was forcing something, “homosexual demon” or not, out of MY belly!!

It is hard to say how often similar exercises occur in churches nationwide, but Kamora Herrington, a mentor at True Colors (an advocacy group for gay youths) says this kind of thing is fairly common and “happens all the time and this was not an isolated incident”.  Robin McHaelin, executive director of True Colors says that the organization is aware of five cases in recent years where youths in the program were threatened with exorcism.

Reverend McKinney denies the ritual was an exorcism, but rather a “casting out of spirits”.  Last time I checked, lady, that was called an “exorcism”.  She said the church took care of the boy, providing him clothes.  “He was dressing like a woman and everything. And he did’nt want to be like that.”  Or maybe YOU did’nt want him to be like that??  McKinney also said the boy was 18. The boy admitted he was actually 16, but would comment no further on the incident on the advice of his pastor.  What a surprise.

Exodus International, a Christian group (that’s bad already) that believes gays can become straight through prayer and counselling, does not advocate the church’s approach, said Jeff Buchanan director of church equipping.   Boy, this just keeps getting better and BETTER!!

McKinney also has a weekly radio show and on Wednesday she talked about being “persecuted” but said nothing about the video specifically.  “I’ts been a hard time for me, but I’m looking good and I’m standing strong because when you have a mandate like mine you’re not going to say what you want without the adversary coming after you,” she said. “If you are a true prophet you’re not going to be popular with the people”.

If you are a true prophet, you WILL be popular with the people.  Gays are included in “the people”.  No amount of prayer, counseling or exorcising can make a gay person become straight. I wish there was a way to exorcise the “prejudiced demons” from a person’s spirit.  Now, that’s a religion I could live with!  How many people walk among us with minds so twisted by their religion that are a danger to others?  I shudder to think.

Until next time!!

God Bless!

MQueenstown

Follow me on Twitter at MQueenstown@twitter.com and at blip.fm/MQueenstown