At times I find it difficult to feel much sympathy for "ex-gays for pay" as I call them who allow themselves to be used by anti-gay organizations and/or decide to peddle a lie to make a buck off the suffering of others who shortsightedly buy their fraudulent story line. Indeed, at times it seems the professional Christians deliberately seek the down and out gays who remain conflicted over their earlier religious indoctrination to staff their "ex-gay" poster boy and girl galleries. Personally, I can think of few things more foul than such deliberate use of others and the intentional dissemination of false information for political and monetary gain. Ex-Gay Watch has details on the "ministry" of one such "ex-gay,"Matthew C. Manning, crashing and burning. Here are some highlights on the demise of LightHouse World Evangelism, Inc.” (As the makes clear, Manning seems anything but straight):*
Ex-Gay Watch reported on Matthew C. Manning’s troubling criminal record in June, 2009. Manning claims to have been “delivered from homosexuality in 1989 and miraculously healed from HIV/AIDS in 1994.” He has claimed that this enabled him to help people wishing to be “delivered from homosexuality.” Readers unfamiliar with Manning are invited to read our previous post for background.
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Ex-Gay Watch reported on Matthew C. Manning’s troubling criminal record in June, 2009. Manning claims to have been “delivered from homosexuality in 1989 and miraculously healed from HIV/AIDS in 1994.” He has claimed that this enabled him to help people wishing to be “delivered from homosexuality.” Readers unfamiliar with Manning are invited to read our previous post for background.
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That previous post reveals some disturbing facts and would seem to make it clear that Manning was never "delivered from homosexuality" as claimed. It sounds all too similar to the false "cure" of Michael Johnston, John Paulk and other "ex-gays for pay":
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Manning has also appeared on numerous Christian broadcasts, including at least five episodes of The Joni Show, at various times alongside Exodus President Alan Chambers, former ex-gay spokesman John Paulk, and Focus on the Family ex-gay speaker Mike Haley. More than any other factor, however, an early CBN 700 Club broadcast (video) featuring Manning’s story seems to have made him known to a larger audience.
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We will learn from the summary of a future jury trial (next) that there was an incident in 1998 involving Manning and an officer Martinez at Hansen Dam. Keeping in mind the second count, it may be worth noting that Hansen Dam has a public park and a series of walking trails. These charges are listed as being “dismissed or not prosecuted.”
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On September 2, 2005, a complaint was filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma, accusing Manning of one count of violating CA Penal Code 243.4(e)(1): Any person who touches an intimate part of another person, if the touching is against the will of the person touched, and is for the specific purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, is guilty of misdemeanor sexual battery, punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.
Manning has also appeared on numerous Christian broadcasts, including at least five episodes of The Joni Show, at various times alongside Exodus President Alan Chambers, former ex-gay spokesman John Paulk, and Focus on the Family ex-gay speaker Mike Haley. More than any other factor, however, an early CBN 700 Club broadcast (video) featuring Manning’s story seems to have made him known to a larger audience.
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We will learn from the summary of a future jury trial (next) that there was an incident in 1998 involving Manning and an officer Martinez at Hansen Dam. Keeping in mind the second count, it may be worth noting that Hansen Dam has a public park and a series of walking trails. These charges are listed as being “dismissed or not prosecuted.”
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On September 2, 2005, a complaint was filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma, accusing Manning of one count of violating CA Penal Code 243.4(e)(1): Any person who touches an intimate part of another person, if the touching is against the will of the person touched, and is for the specific purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, is guilty of misdemeanor sexual battery, punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.
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The complainant is listed as “John Doe” but we have since determined his identity. He was approx 22 years old at the time, and still lives in the area. We have contacted him and may provide his personal account at a later date if he allows it. He appears understandably reticent concerning such a personal matter. We should note that he identifies as straight.
The complainant is listed as “John Doe” but we have since determined his identity. He was approx 22 years old at the time, and still lives in the area. We have contacted him and may provide his personal account at a later date if he allows it. He appears understandably reticent concerning such a personal matter. We should note that he identifies as straight.
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I look forward to the day when snake oil merchants like Manning - and more importantly those who set the stage for such false cure claims are a thing of the past.
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