Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Evolution -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Greg or e who wrote (4488)	5/7/2010 5:02:22 PM
From: average joe	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 69300

Baptist minister denies homosexual relationship with escort Friday, May 07, 2010 By Martin Barillas Professor George Rekers, a Baptist minister who believes homosexuality is a sin that can be cured, hired a 20-year-old Puerto Rican man as his travelling companion from a homosexual networking website called Rentboy.com. The two companions were photographed at the Miami International Airport in April 2010, while JoVanni Roman was seen pushing their luggage in a trolley. The 61-year-old father-of-three took the escort on a ten-day trip England and Spain. Rekers is a founding member of the Family Research Council, a powerful Christian lobby, and has written books about addressing homosexuality including Growing Up Straight: What Families Should Know About Homosexuality. Pastor Rekers, who has opposed adoption of children by same-sex couples, was confronted with the photo by a reporter of the Miami New Times newspaper. When asked about Roman, Rekers said he hired the young man to help with his suitcases following surgery and a hospital stay. A statement released on his behalf added, “'Professor Reker's family, local friends, and even another university professor colleague have offered to accompany him on trips to lift luggage,” and “He was not involved in any illegal or sexual behavior with his travel assistant.” Roman's Rentboy.com profile listed him as "Lucien" and noted striptease as among his interests. He described himself as 'sensual', 'masculine' and 'up for anything'. 'I will do anything you say as long as you ask,' he said. Rekers is an officer of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), a 'professional, scientific organization that offers hope to those who struggle with unwanted homosexuality.” Telling one blogger who contacted him on Facebook that he had discussed his Christian beliefs with young JoVanni, Rekers wrote “'If you talk with my travel assistant you will find I spent a great deal of time sharing scientific information on the desirability of abandoning homosexual intercourse, and I shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him in great detail.” Reker’s Facebook page, as well as Roman’s RentBoy.com profile, have since been taken down. Roman claims that he did provide services of a sexual nature. In a press release, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council said that the organization has had no contact with Rekers in a decade. Said the release, "While we are extremely disappointed when any Christian leader engages in the very activities that they 'preach' against, it is not surprising. The Scriptures clearly teach the fallen nature of all people. We each have a choice to act upon that nature or accept the forgiveness offered by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and do our best to ensure our actions, both public and private, match our professed positions." Martin Barillas is a former US diplomat, who also worked as a democracy advocate and election observer in Latin America. speroforum.com