After figuring out that electroshock therapy and gay conversion therapy didn’t really work, a Catholic seminary in Wynnewood, PA has come up with yet another suggestion on how to force grown men into changing their sexuality. You know, because they chose it in the first place.
The organization, run by Father Paul Check, is planning the 14th year of a weeklong Catholic “sports camp,” which will help men to shed their homosexual desires through playing contact sports with other barely-clothed, sweaty, and presumably sexy gay men.
Check believes the lack of contact sports at an early age can lead men to develop homosexual tendencies, and hopes to extract the “shame” gay men feel while playing sports with other men. Father Check may be on to something—there aren’t any gay men in major league sports, and if there are, they never win medals or feel accepted.
Something smells fishy, and we’re not the only ones that think it. Ed Coffin, a member of Peace Advocacy Network, tells NewsWorks’ Elizabeth Fiedler he plans to protest the annual hookup mecca:
“It’s very clear what this organization does is focus on turning people who are homosexual–basically trying to change them into heterosexuals or at least get them to live a completely chaste lifestyle–which requires them to not act on any of their homosexual inclinations,” Coffin said. “It falls under the broader realm of conversion therapy. We do feel that this is very detrimental, that’s it’s psychologically damaging.”
And before you knock it, just listen to the satisfaction it brings men who are no longer interested in other men. This testimony, given by “Louis” on the sports camp’s website, proves there’s absolutely nothing homoerotic about sweaty men hugging other sweaty men:
“One time a teammate gave me a sweaty celebratory hug. He was humbly secure in himself, just as he was, selflessly and joyfully showing affection to others. I also liked when one man, whom I’d felt intimidated by, gave me a pat on my belly, meaning “way to go!” His touch made me feel accepted as one of the guys.”
Where do we sign up?
cmandublin
“One time a teammate gave me a sweaty celebratory hug.”
Let it be known, I am willing to take the “sweaty celebratory jockstraps”
🙂
ouragannyc
Funny!
A friend of mine has been going to that camp.
He’s now ex-gay.
Very sad!
J W G
Boy, that sounds like a tough life being ex-gay! Just trying to keep it down every time a hot guy passes by. Putting all jokes aside…I just find this insulting and unacceptable
Cam
If you talk to any of the people who went to these things, it is VERY rare that they weren’t hit on by one of the counselors.
I won’t be shocked when it comes out that this Priest had slept with multiple campers.
Tim
Father Check might be called a presumptous and sanctimonious c*nt…
Chris Vogel
I researched the “ex-gay” movements in the 1980’s for the Council on Homosexuality and Religion, using a combination of interviews, correspondence, and reading their tracts. Virtually all observed that they were continuing to “struggle”, that is, they were not “ex” anything. And, it never lasted; six months was the usual shelf-life, almost exactly the same as the “medical” forms, such a aversion therapy. The tracts lasted longer than they did. They lost some useful time in their life, and generally left a bereft (heterosexual) marriage or relationship partner (or two) in their wakes. It may be cruel to say of those who promote this movement or are its products that they are frauds, but that will be the judgement of history.
kevininbuffalo
How can anyone with half a brain take the church of Rome seriously? I no longer feel any sympathy for people like this. If they are this silly and this stupid they deserve whatever they get. It’s the 21st century, WAKE UP! Live your life and don’t be a slave to superstition.
And I’m sure as sh_t Mr. Check (I will not call these frauds Father) has a camera hooked up to his office so he can keep an eye on the shower. For the good of the campers souls of course.
–
dvlaries
Only a cynic would note that this is also a way a closet-case cleric might corral a male harem to pick off prospects for himself. Bet only what you can afford to lose that that’s never happened before….
Derek Williams
Even the Vatican itself teaches and acknowledges that homosexuals are born gay and cannot be changed. I don’t know how this “camp” is even possible in the name of the Church.
oilburner
Sounds fun 2 me. I. Wouldn’t . Mind. Hangin. Out. & . Getting. Ranked. By. A. Few. Of. These. Fellas.
whatisthis
Interesting, because in my case, sports HELPED my inner gayness emerge. I wrestled for about 4 years and subsequently played soccer for several more years of my childhood. At 12 years old and just starting puberty, being around all of those fit boys my age in hotel rooms during tournaments really helped me realize that chicks just weren’t my cup o’ tea. The boys were really the only things that kept me from quitting.
So I will keep on believing that for every guy “converted” to being straight by playing sports, another will realize how attracted they are to the hot, sweaty, athletic male body in locker rooms. 🙂
MK Ultra
Oh those repressed religious gays –
Always looking to get some good dick under the faint guise of “conversion”.
“Hi, I’m Father Butsecks and I’ve got a great idea to convert those nasty homos. I’m going to suck the gayness right out of their penises (penai?). MMM yeah. Suck it up and swallow all of it…..um for the puposes of conversion, of course.”
If “conversion therapy” wasn’t so tragic, what with all the depression, sexual abuse, suicide etc…, the blaringly obvious dissonance might actually make good sitcom material.
Errol Semple
I suggest wrestling as an appropriate sport.
DarkZephyr
I am not sure how accurate this article is, because the Catholic Church has never officially supported conversion therapy. They have only ever recommended chastity.
Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
Anyway, whoever this guy is, he is not in line with actual Catholic teaching on the subject. Not that I am saying the existing teaching is all that great with the whole “objectively disordered” and “condition” insults, but it certainly has nothing to do with conversion therapy.
2eo
We should be proud that at least a christian isn’t targetting children.
This counts as a step up, must be the 0.00000001% of preachers who isn’t into children sexually.
Harley
“Check believes the lack of contact sports at an early age can lead men to develop homosexual…..”is definitely targeting children. No doubt about it. Nothing but another pedofile priest. No doubt about it.
2eo
@Harley: Ah, it appears I misread. I revide my paedophilia rate in christianity back to 100% instead of 99.99999999%.
Apologies.
2eo
@Harley: Ah, it appears I misread. I revise my paedophilia rate in christianity back to 100% instead of 99.99999999%.
Apologies.
seggerman
Smells fishy? Isn’t that usually talking about the smell of women, not hunky half naked men.
Dionte
“The only good Roman is a decapitataed one.” Spartacus
Nikkidane
Sounds to me like Fr. Paul is running a dating camp where gay people can meet. I’ll bet he’s had a few “ex-gay boys” himself if the truth is known. The whole idea is so ludicrous if you ask me. It seems more plausible that it is a chance for this priest to hang out with cute young gay boys without going to a gay bar.
Cam
Has anybody investigated this priest since the rate at which these anti-gay folks turn out to be predatory or closet cases is about 100%?
JAWIWA
I think this priest just gets off on sweaty teens in locker rooms.
Pewit
Here’s an idea – he should send all his “boys” to the week-long Gay Games in Cleveland+Akron from 9-16 August 2014.
Surrounded by 10,000 other LGBT athlete’s taking part in 34 cultural and sports events, they’re sure to maintain their manly ways and learn just what it’s like to take it like a man – the sports I mean, of course.
Unlike the Olympics, Wrestling is included in the Gay Games, along with other contact sports such as Martial Arts, Water Polo, Ice Hockey, Basketball, DanceSport and Cheer. Plus there’s plenty of other events where you can practice your manly hugs and kisses after every point.
See http://www.gg9cle.com for more.
eatconsciously
We will be holding a protest at the location (City Ave. and E. Wynnewood Rd., Lower Merion, PA) from 4-6 PM tomorrow. All are welcome to join us! https://www.facebook.com/events/414932855268698/
EAFiedler
Plagirism? Did you copy the Ed Coffin quote from the story I wrote 4 days ago? Because it is 100% exactly the same. There is no link and no credit to my original reporting: http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local//philadelphia/54887-athletic-camp-for-men-with-same-sex-attractions-spirited-and-controversial