Thread by @MattDrapps

Some more detail on the CTES published stories of Conversion Therapy Exorcism Practices, evidencing harm in the UK

TW. Abuse, detail

Vinnie’s Case could also be categorised as Sexual Abuse, and is a familiar, recognisable pattern for abuse survivors

Because the leaders of his Church believe the theology that being gay is wrong, they are empowered to abuse this 18 year old, using their position of power to make him feel guilt, shame and helplessness

Vinnie is 18 (a young person)
He is asked leading, intrusive questions about his sexual feelings, practice and attractions
He is made to kneel in a circle of twelve grown men
He is shouted at

He is forced into “pretending” to be healed of his same-sex attraction which leads him into a season of feeling guilt, which doesn't go away easily

He is used as a “poster boy” - - often churches cite previous cases, but they never "undo" those stories when the people inevitably turn out to still be same-sex attracted (see Exodus International, and I'm looking at your future too #livingout)

Vinnie is able to overcome the odds stacked against him when he is asked to perpetrate the same harm against someone else

Often, survivors can put up with any amount of harm ourselves, but can see the harm when it's moved to others

Unlike the original abusers, Vinnie has enough compassion to choose to Not Harm

He said, "No"

Honestly and forgiveness, not hiddeness, are the things which help him in the end

Noah's Case shows that churches which hold to the theology of binary understanding, "Adam and Eve" literalism, when it comes to bodies can cause harm

It also illustrates the harm which comes from a belief in "Power Healing"

Noah's parents let the church know that Noah has Klinefelter Syndrome, and the leaders react by accusing his parents or ancestors of having sinned, they believe this variation is caused by a "generational curse"

A belief in Power Healing is the theology which empowers them to cause harm to Noah

Noah has learning difficulties but this is not given any regard by the Church team

He is tricked/manipulated into the abusive practices of Coercive Prayer

He is made to feel shame, to feel like everyone is looking at him/judging him

He does not give informed consent to these practices, and is originally abused by the leadership

As a result, he also lost his religion for a time, but was able to reconnect by finding a safe, inclusive space

Both of these cases illustrate the real life impact of harmful theological practice - - both in terms of holding anti-gay, binary views on the body, but also in using “Power Healing” methods and Coercive Prayer on these individuals

Both have their lives ruined by the use of these practices, and Noah also loses his faith.

This is the real life impact.

Full stories are published on the CTES website, and we'd love to hear your stories too if you want to share them

…versiontherapyexorcismsurvivors.co.uk

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