Responses to Public Issues

Here are some of our responses to various public issues.  For more on those times Cathedral of Hope has been in the news, see “In the News.”

A Note on Reparative Therapy (“Ex-Gay”) Organizations

On July 17, 2008 KFOR Channel 4 did a news story on First Stone, the local Oklahoma City reparative therapy organization.  It included an interview with our pastor, the Rev. Dr. Scott Jones. It was stated that Scott has “no problem” with such ministries. This was a misquote. Here is Scott’s statement:

“I have nothing but compassion for individuals who are unhappy with who they are and, as a result, are in spiritual or psychological crisis. I will not condemn another person’s spiritual journey.

However, I do have a problem with such organizations. They are engaged in activity that is theological unnecessary, medically inappropriate, and even harmful to people. As the American Psychological Association and other medical and psychiatric associations have held for almost forty years, you cannot change a person’s sexual orientation and to try is harmful.”

Anti-Gay Comments by Elected Official

Rev. Dr. Scott Jones’ response to anti-gay and anti-Muslim comments by Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern click here

Hear Sally Kern’s comments click here

Same Sex Couples in Oklahoma

Based on the U.S. Census, in 2005 there were an estimated 89,561 gay, lesbian, and bisexual people living in Oklahoma. Of that group 8,159 were same-sex couples. Learn more in The Williams Report