I don't think it matters that Smid stepped down, that he probably felt remorse, or that he's actually gay. Shouldn't he be prosecuted anyway? Being gay doesn't mean you get a pass on hurting other gay people. He doesn't even deem to regret what he's done, he's more willing to portray himself as a victim.
He cannot live without his soapbox. Believe me, this man has no intention of helping anyone. I’ve seen his ‘love in action’... destroy lives. Mine included. He has no remorse. Be careful with this one.
I’m shocked at this interview. I was in his conversion ministry. I knew him- and I knew his rhetoric. How is he making money helping people? He spoke certainty into so many people’s lives. How can he be off the hook now? Has he contacted any of the people that he hurt? I can remember his teachings and so many of his lessons. I don’t know how to look at this and not feel anger. And then he thinks that people still “need to hear from him”. Why is that his privilege? So many emotions watching this. I’m not even sure what I need to say or how to articulate my thoughts.
Anger is ok and deserved. I wasn’t in John’s group but I had my own journey. I’m trying to figure out how to live with my anger at the way the evangelical church propagated these lies. But there was no one else even talking about it then. 😢
This man should not be given any time, space , energy or a platform. He is truly a vile human being. How could this hypocrite be a leader? He s no leader. He is a coward. Shame on you for what you have done to your own kind. You are not a victim. Do not play the victim. You are potentially one of the most digusting human beings I ve ever witnessed. Anyone who works for you or hires you should be careful. You are broken and people should avoid you like the plague. You are in no place to give advice or be hired by anyone. You are motivated by greed. Immoral and vile person.
"As a gay man, I believe I never should've been subjected to ex-gay therapy." Mr. Smid He should focus more on the gay men he hurt by subjecting them to ex-gay therapy.
Speaking as someone who has gone through conversion therapy, we have to be willing to forgive. We can’t afford not to forgive people for their actions. We’ve all done crummy things. Worry about your own shortcomings before berating everyone else for theirs. John Smid, I forgive you. There will always be consequences that you’ll have to face for what you did, but I know enough to know when a person has regrets and I know first hand how damaging holding onto regrets can be.
This guy was doing it for 22 years. Imagine how many lives he ruined. Imagine how many young man committed suicide because of his words. There are certain things you just can't forgive. This is one of them.
I agree. It’s very easy to judge this man. I don’t blame anyone who doesn’t forgive him but I know john through my partner. John helped pay for my boyfriend’s dad’s gay wedding and John even attended the wedding with his gay partner. As much as it is easy to judge and question why people would do such horrible things what matters is he changed for the better and is doing his best to help others. He even has told my boyfriend that he wakes every day with nothing but shame and guilt. I think about the former Westboro Baptist Church members how they have showed so much hate before leaving the church and now they are doing their best to support human beings regardless of their race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. just like John, they are going to of course live with the consequences but are willing to do what it takes to make a difference and prevent others from following their original path.
It's okay to not believe there is a god. I do not ever want to believe in a cruel God that is depicted in the bible. The only reason so many people choose to believe is because they cherry pick the book to death until they can feel better about believing.
It’s not ok not to believe in God. If you don’t see what he does for you every day than that’s your choice if not believing in him makes you feel good than that’s you, but don’t say it’s ok not to believe in him, come on🤦🏻♀️
Sherri Wilson sorry but faith is a whole different story, and untill you don’t get to know what it is to love God and to really feel his presence in your life, you will never know what it is. People that don’t Love God think it’s impossible for others to love him genuinely just because they can’t experience that love. But I promise we all have the capability to love him☺️🙏
I can understand the hatred for who he was, I can't understand why people are so angry for him speaking out against what he did. If he renounced his former actions and didn't publicly speak out, it seems like people would be angry with him for staying silent as well. I think him speaking out is the best way he can make amends for what he did. It's sad that Conversion Therapy is still legal. But he wasn't committing crimes then. Hopefully, his speaking out is the best way to insure that it is illegal everywhere,.
I think that he has an insatiable need for attention, especially from the media. He is speaking with the identical passion and sense of authority he assumed when speaking for his previous ex-gay affiliations. People need to feel that they are important and that their lives matter. And sometimes that craving affects them in various ways such as we see here. The left has a need for people like John Smid these days. The Marxists (which is what John represents in his current persona) call such people useful idiots; they champion the party line thinking that their lives are significant, when in fact they are simply tools of the left-wing's propagation of Marxist ideology. THAT SAID, John was always kind to me, even if I thought him authoritarian as well as easily swayed by the various zeitgeists which showed up in various Christian movements over the past several decades. I think what bothers me most is his cavalier way of throwing away relationships which were forged over time including marriages, friendships, church/brother alliances and so forth.
@timwarner I agree that I don’t believe there was ever physical abuse at “love in action”. I am concerned that he is still such a figure in the media and in the gay world. He has done so much damage to so many.
What a journey... all the truth... when your spirit knows better than your will, you try harder and harder to 'be better', to 'fit in', to make that belief system, that 'God' fill the hole in your soul... the story is the same for many of us... for many reasons... but now your journey tells the real story, not the forced story... and you can lead others to their own truth through your honesty and heart!! Love you cousin... xo
Why do people say that ex-gay therapy doesn't work when a bunch of guys relapse? It's little saying that AA doesn't work because some people start drinking again, all the while ignoring the countless people who stayed sober.
Because being gay isn't an addiction. Most of the people sent to conversion therapy have never even acted on their thoughts, many are also underaged. AA is to fix a problem that is uncontrollable on your own, actively harmful, and detrimental to your future. Conversion therapy is designed to fix something that is deep within you, completely natural, and you can still have a wonderful life. AA is about helping someone that pretty much everyone agrees is bad, conversion therapy is to help bigoted people think that they raised their kid "right".
@@heatheredgcombe3156 : Everyone (and I mean everyone) has a real difficult time dealing with the truth behind homosexuality; and, of course, a sizable part of the truth about it continues to be shrouded in mystery. In the meanwhile, Heather, I'd like to ask you a few questions: If 'gay conversion or reparative' therapies are supposed to help 'gay' men reconnect intimantly with women, how come women don't run them? Wouldn't women actually do a better job of it then men? Why is that no one wants to acknowledge that if conversion from homosexuality is possible, WOMEN HAVE TO REALLY IMPORTANT TO IT; in fact, 'key' to whole thing? Final question for now: Mr. Smid, in this video, claimed that no 'gay guy' he knew ever really had a 'connection' with the women with whom they had relations. Heather, do you believe he's telling the truth about that?
I don't think it matters that Smid stepped down, that he probably felt remorse, or that he's actually gay. Shouldn't he be prosecuted anyway? Being gay doesn't mean you get a pass on hurting other gay people. He doesn't even deem to regret what he's done, he's more willing to portray himself as a victim.
i agree
He cannot live without his soapbox. Believe me, this man has no intention of helping anyone. I’ve seen his ‘love in action’... destroy lives. Mine included. He has no remorse. Be careful with this one.
He is a victim. But he should still be held accountable. He has blood on his hands.
I’m shocked at this interview. I was in his conversion ministry. I knew him- and I knew his rhetoric. How is he making money helping people? He spoke certainty into so many people’s lives. How can he be off the hook now? Has he contacted any of the people that he hurt? I can remember his teachings and so many of his lessons. I don’t know how to look at this and not feel anger. And then he thinks that people still “need to hear from him”. Why is that his privilege? So many emotions watching this. I’m not even sure what I need to say or how to articulate my thoughts.
Anger is ok and deserved. I wasn’t in John’s group but I had my own journey. I’m trying to figure out how to live with my anger at the way the evangelical church propagated these lies. But there was no one else even talking about it then. 😢
Who else is here because of Netflix Boy Erased?
This man should not be given any time, space , energy or a platform. He is truly a vile human being. How could this hypocrite be a leader? He s no leader. He is a coward. Shame on you for what you have done to your own kind. You are not a victim. Do not play the victim. You are potentially one of the most digusting human beings I ve ever witnessed. Anyone who works for you or hires you should be careful. You are broken and people should avoid you like the plague. You are in no place to give advice or be hired by anyone. You are motivated by greed. Immoral and vile person.
Ugh this guy is the worse. I don’t care if he now advocates for my peeps. I dont want or need it. Who could take any of his hypocrisy seriously
"As a gay man, I believe I never should've been subjected to ex-gay therapy." Mr. Smid
He should focus more on the gay men he hurt by subjecting them to ex-gay therapy.
Speaking as someone who has gone through conversion therapy, we have to be willing to forgive. We can’t afford not to forgive people for their actions. We’ve all done crummy things. Worry about your own shortcomings before berating everyone else for theirs. John Smid, I forgive you. There will always be consequences that you’ll have to face for what you did, but I know enough to know when a person has regrets and I know first hand how damaging holding onto regrets can be.
This guy was doing it for 22 years. Imagine how many lives he ruined. Imagine how many young man committed suicide because of his words. There are certain things you just can't forgive. This is one of them.
I agree. It’s very easy to judge this man. I don’t blame anyone who doesn’t forgive him but I know john through my partner. John helped pay for my boyfriend’s dad’s gay wedding and John even attended the wedding with his gay partner. As much as it is easy to judge and question why people would do such horrible things what matters is he changed for the better and is doing his best to help others. He even has told my boyfriend that he wakes every day with nothing but shame and guilt. I think about the former Westboro Baptist Church members how they have showed so much hate before leaving the church and now they are doing their best to support human beings regardless of their race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. just like John, they are going to of course live with the consequences but are willing to do what it takes to make a difference and prevent others from following their original path.
Disgusting man. I feel no forgiveness.
Being gay is not a sin.....Do not forget this
It's okay to not believe there is a god. I do not ever want to believe in a cruel God that is depicted in the bible. The only reason so many people choose to believe is because they cherry pick the book to death until they can feel better about believing.
It’s not ok not to believe in God. If you don’t see what he does for you every day than that’s your choice if not believing in him makes you feel good than that’s you, but don’t say it’s ok not to believe in him, come on🤦🏻♀️
Sherri Wilson sorry but faith is a whole different story, and untill you don’t get to know what it is to love God and to really feel his presence in your life, you will never know what it is. People that don’t Love God think it’s impossible for others to love him genuinely just because they can’t experience that love. But I promise we all have the capability to love him☺️🙏
@T S if you think it’s a fairly tail than for you it’s a fairy tale, but not for me🤷🏻♀️
this man admits he's confused
I can understand the hatred for who he was, I can't understand why people are so angry for him speaking out against what he did. If he renounced his former actions and didn't publicly speak out, it seems like people would be angry with him for staying silent as well. I think him speaking out is the best way he can make amends for what he did. It's sad that Conversion Therapy is still legal. But he wasn't committing crimes then. Hopefully, his speaking out is the best way to insure that it is illegal everywhere,.
I think that he has an insatiable need for attention, especially from the media. He is speaking with the identical passion and sense of authority he assumed when speaking for his previous ex-gay affiliations. People need to feel that they are important and that their lives matter. And sometimes that craving affects them in various ways such as we see here. The left has a need for people like John Smid these days. The Marxists (which is what John represents in his current persona) call such people useful idiots; they champion the party line thinking that their lives are significant, when in fact they are simply tools of the left-wing's propagation of Marxist ideology. THAT SAID, John was always kind to me, even if I thought him authoritarian as well as easily swayed by the various zeitgeists which showed up in various Christian movements over the past several decades. I think what bothers me most is his cavalier way of throwing away relationships which were forged over time including marriages, friendships, church/brother alliances and so forth.
@timwarner I agree that I don’t believe there was ever physical abuse at “love in action”. I am concerned that he is still such a figure in the media and in the gay world. He has done so much damage to so many.
What a journey... all the truth... when your spirit knows better than your will, you try harder and harder to 'be better', to 'fit in', to make that belief system, that 'God' fill the hole in your soul... the story is the same for many of us... for many reasons... but now your journey tells the real story, not the forced story... and you can lead others to their own truth through your honesty and heart!! Love you cousin... xo
@disciple duSeigneur if my homosexuality kills me early, at least ill die happy with my decisions and not hiding behind the pages of the bible
In the movie I think Cameron was murdered maybe something more sinister and evil was happening in that center.
in the movie it was suicide
@@juliahornback2843 we don’t know
Why do people say that ex-gay therapy doesn't work when a bunch of guys relapse? It's little saying that AA doesn't work because some people start drinking again, all the while ignoring the countless people who stayed sober.
Because being gay isn't an addiction. Most of the people sent to conversion therapy have never even acted on their thoughts, many are also underaged. AA is to fix a problem that is uncontrollable on your own, actively harmful, and detrimental to your future. Conversion therapy is designed to fix something that is deep within you, completely natural, and you can still have a wonderful life. AA is about helping someone that pretty much everyone agrees is bad, conversion therapy is to help bigoted people think that they raised their kid "right".
You're an idiot and I shouldn't have to explain why my man
@@heatheredgcombe3156 : Everyone (and I mean everyone) has a real difficult time dealing with the truth behind homosexuality; and, of course, a sizable part of the truth about it continues to be shrouded in mystery. In the meanwhile, Heather, I'd like to ask you a few questions: If 'gay conversion or reparative' therapies are supposed to help 'gay' men reconnect intimantly with women, how come women don't run them? Wouldn't women actually do a better job of it then men? Why is that no one wants to acknowledge that if conversion from homosexuality is possible, WOMEN HAVE TO REALLY IMPORTANT TO IT; in fact, 'key' to whole thing? Final question for now: Mr. Smid, in this video, claimed that no 'gay guy' he knew ever really had a 'connection' with the women with whom they had relations. Heather, do you believe he's telling the truth about that?
Because being gay is something you are born with. It is not an issue, it is not an illness. Alcoholism is an issue.