Christian "Crisis line" snares gay youth

The line looks like a real thing in the phone book. It appears to be a government crisis line. It is anything but that. Callers are told homosexuality is a sin and then referred to Exodus, a group run by Focus on the family, America’s leading anti-gay organization. “How would they feel if someone killed themselves thinking they were a sinner after talking to this ‘crisis line’”? Another new low for James Dobson and the Evangelical Christians organizations in their treatment of gay youth. - Rick Barnes (source)

I think if you are a gay or questioning youth and are struggling with issues of sexuality, you have to be very careful who you talk to. If you feel you have to reach out to a crisis line to talk it out, be aware that there are places that will try to make you go against your true nature.

It is ALWAYS bad for anyone to try to make you into something that you aren’t. If you are confused, you need someone who will talk with you on a neutral playing field. You bring your own issues to the board, and you don’t need someone else with their own agenda (such as a Christian activist) trying to tell you that if you don’t change you are going to Hell.

In the same vein, you don’t need someone telling you that being is the best thing since sliced bread. What you need is a friend who will just listen and be honest with you.

I have heard very good things about The Trevor Project, but I haven’t talked with them personally. I was going to make a donation to their cause, however. And remember, under no circumstances should you arrange to meet a stranger from any one you talk with online. Don’t ever do that. If you are a teenager, and someone is trying to meet with you, saying they are another teenager, it’s probably bad news. Just don’t do it.