… or just lead them to commit suicide?

I posted this at … my other blog. But suddenly I kind of realize the political import of it sort of demands I post it here. Beyond the abstractions and silly donkey-elephant games, the political climate has actual effects on actual people. Thus, we explore the programs set up the religious right to try to eliminate homosexuality.

This is essentially a `brainwashing’ program. Step I in Liftons criteria for such features isolation of the individual from people and information outside the group. This article has that in spades.

Item 9 gets into Liftons `loaded language’ bit – basically the creation of a dialect intended to *constrict* the thoughts of those using it. Gives new meanings to old words.

And the last bit – constructive criticism – is straight out of points three and four of Liftons criteria: cult of purity and internal discipline.

This has to be the most depressing experience you can go through at the age of 16.

No sexual/emotional misconduct. Any temptations, fantasies, or dreams are to be presented to one¹s staff worker only. Sexual misconduct includes viewing pornography, visiting an adult bookstore, emotional dependency, voyeurism, stalking, masturbation, mutual masturbation, or any form of genital or sexual contact with another person. Sexual temptation, as well as the above, is not to be discussed between clients. This includes MI’s (Moral Inventories) written on current sexual struggles or temptations).

Ah, yes. The “Honor System”. A typical hormonal teenager would probably have to go to “one’s staff worker” every fifteen minutes or so…

The clients may not wear Abercrombie and Fitch or Calvin Klein brand clothing, undergarments, or accessories.

Curious to mark out those two companies. They use sex appeal to market their clothing lines, as do many clothing lines. Actually I can almost go with this ban, for my own reasons… Creating Identity through clothing brand always made me squeamish.

It’s in the “Therapeutic & Staff Issues” that things become particularly jackbooted.

10. Absolutely no journaling or keeping a diary outside of the MI process unless directed or approved by staff.

Kill me now.

1. LIA wants to encourage each client, male and female, by affirming his/her gender identity. LIA also wants each client to pursue integrity in all of his/her actions and appearances. Therefore, any belongings, appearances, clothing, actions, or humor that might connect a client to an inappropriate past are excluded from the program. These hindrances are called False Images (FI¹s). FI behavior may include hyper-masculinity, seductive clothing, mannish/boyish attire (on women), excessive jewelry (on men), mascoting, and “campy” or gay/lesbian behavior and talk.

Gender Roles are non-transferable.

Actually, I wonder, if the goal is to turn your gay teenagers straight… why not bring in pornography (or a Maxim magazine of some ilk)? Aren’t we affirming heterosexuality here?

Refuge encourages all clients to first focus internally. Why is the client here? What is broken? What is the core motivation of the client¹s unhealthy behavior? Staff members will work with clients as they learn what is wrong and as they take the steps to articulate it. Second, staff emphasize the need for each client to seek the truth of God. What does He have to say about each client and his/her pain? The rules that follow are designed to both protect the client and facilitate his/her wrestling with God.

I think the client is there because their parents are fundamentalists who follow the preachings of James Dobson. To answer “What is broken” is to face the dark corridors of society.

5. Refuge clients may only read materials approved by staff.

Sigh.

6. No television viewing, going to movies, or reading/watching/listening to secular media of any kind, anywhere within the client¹s and the parent¹s/guardian¹s control. This includes listening to classical or instrumental music that is not expressly Christian (Beethoven, Bach, etc. are not considered Christian). The only exception to the media policy is the weekly movie.

Waitaminute. Beethoven, Bach, etc. are EVIL Secular Satanic megaphones that will lead your teen astray? None of that Jazz, I assume… what with its wonkiness… and lack of “wonderbread”-ees.

16. Total silence time at home begins at 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Refuge clients may use this time for resting, but are encouraged to make a habit of using it for a nightly quiet time with God.

Perhaps you could write down your thoughts in a journa– no wait. Perhaps you could clear your mind through listening to some classical mus– no. Um… How the heck are you supposed to spend “Quiet Time”?

18. Refuge clients are allowed a one-time 15-minute maximum closed bathroom door time for shower/grooming purposes. The only other closed-door alone time allowed is for using the restroom.

It is here that I laugh maniacally. Quietly subvert the dominant paradigm, everyone!

1. Be honest, authentic, and real.

That would require breaking EVERY SINGLE RULE I’ve read here.

9. Say “I love you _____” after each person is finished relating.

So John says to Bob “I love you” and Suzy says to Chrisina “I love you.” Doesn’t sound like we’re making progress here.

Is there any escape? Well, there’s Consequence #3:

Consequences for Rule Violation:

1. Constructive criticism from the group.
2. Ten to thirty-page written paper on rule violation.
3. Program dismissal. This does not need to be addressed with the client (The client may sabotage his/her own program due to purposeful dismissal consequences).
4. Isolation from the group.

Good luck to all involved. Keep on Trucking.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 15th, 2005 at 5:33 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.