An apology from a Christian

There are so very few apologies that come from Christians over the way they've treated people over many decades. This is one of them.

Exodus International is one of those horrifying gay repairative therapy organisations that does terrible damage to LGBT people by trying to "cure" them of being gay. It is now closing down with it's director Alan Chambers posting a sincere apology on it's site a day later to the LGBT people affected by it. 

Although the apology makes no mention of setting up another ministry to address the damage done to LGBT people over the years by it and similar organisations, it is never the less a heart felt apology. This is something that all Christians should read.

Some of it, and the link:

Please know that I am deeply sorry. I am sorry for the pain and hurt many of you have experienced. I am sorry that some of you spent years working through the shame and guilt you felt when your attractions didn’t change. I am sorry we promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents. I am sorry that there were times I didn’t stand up to people publicly “on my side” who called you names like sodomite—or worse. I am sorry that I, knowing some of you so well, failed to share publicly that the gay and lesbian people I know were every bit as capable of being amazing parents as the straight people that I know. I am sorry that when I celebrated a person coming to Christ and surrendering their sexuality to Him that I callously celebrated the end of relationships that broke your heart. I am sorry that I have communicated that you and your families are less than me and mine. 

More than anything, I am sorry that so many have interpreted this religious rejection by Christians as God’s rejection. I am profoundly sorry that many have walked away from their faith and that some have chosen to end their lives. For the rest of my life I will proclaim nothing but the whole truth of the Gospel, one of grace, mercy and open invitation to all to enter into an inseverable relationship with almighty God. 

I cannot apologize for my deeply held biblical beliefs about the boundaries I see in scripture surrounding sex, but I will exercise my beliefs with great care and respect for those who do not share them. I cannot apologize for my beliefs about marriage. But I do not have any desire to fight you on your beliefs or the rights that you seek. My beliefs about these things will never again interfere with God’s command to love my neighbor as I love myself. 

You have never been my enemy. I am very sorry that I have been yours. I hope the changes in my own life, as well as the ones we announce tonight regarding Exodus International, will bring resolution, and show that I am serious in both my regret and my offer of friendship. I pledge that future endeavors will be focused on peace and common good. more

At the very least, this is a Christian acknowledgement of the danger of gay "cure" therapy.Obviously the sorry is encased in his god view of the world, which is fine. I haven't rejected god, I just don't believe he exists.

Update:

Comedic analysis of the apology.