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Friday, April 03, 2009
Another week, a new album to promote, and more ridiculous statements from the "very single" Donnie McClurkin regarding his homosexuality.
Blogger Carrington Lei of Pearl's Window recently had an opportunity to chat with the "We Fall Down" singer as he begins promotion for his new album "We All Are One"(Live In Detroit), and it wasn't long before the conversation shifted from music to McClurkin's controversial statements on being "delivered" or "cured" from homosexuality. I guess it depends on which articles you've read over the past few years and how many times McClurkin himself has changed his story regarding what he believes to be his "struggle".
In one of his most outrageous explanations for how he was able to suppress his same-sex desires, McClurkin who is a diabetic, compares his craving for sugar and the will power he has developed to abstain to his success in breaking free from homosexuality. I swear I didn't make that up.
CARRINGTON LEI: Now, a part of the reason so many people take issue with you is because you believe that homosexuality is a choice and can be, I’m not sure how to phrase this – is "cured" the right word?
DONNIE McCLURKIN: Cured is what they have said in order to make it more villainous or controversial. Most of the things you read that I’ve said, I have not said. There’s always a spin on it, it’s all according to whose telling the story – it’s not good print if it’s not controversial.
I never said that I was cured from anything, I said that I was delivered, and that’s what God does - He delivers.
CARRINGTON LEI: So, when you say delivered, does that mean that you were delivered from homosexuality – or the ability to act on a same-sex attraction, because there’s a difference.
DONNIE McCLURKIN: Is there a difference?
CARRINGTON LEI: I absolutely believe that there is a difference. You considered yourself gay at one point and now you say that you’re delivered. To me, the term delivered can be pretty ambiguous, depending on how you use it. The difference in saying, “I’m attracted to the same sex, but I’m choosing not to act on my attraction” and not having an attraction at all is vastly different.
DONNIE McCLURKIN: Not at all. The bottom line is that it’s all the same. It’s by not choosing to act that the attraction and the appetite starts to abate and wane.
I’m a diabetic now and I don’t eat sugar, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t want sugar. The more I don’t eat the sugar, the more I lose the taste for sugar and the more my diet starts to change permanently – I can’t stand a regular soda now because it’s too much sugar. So, the more I don’t intake the sugar, the more it leaves out of my desire.
God bless him. I can't even imagine the inner turmoil this man has to deal with on a daily basis. As long as McClurkin continues to tell his audience that he's been "delivered" from the evils of honmosexuality and they continue to support his music it's a win-win for both. His music career will continue to prosper and black straight folks will continue to believe that homosexuality unlike heterosexuality is a choice and can be changed through fervent prayer and reparative therapy.
We all know homosexuality is tolerated in the black church as long as you don't open your mouth and confirm what everybody is saying about you behind your back already. "We fall down but we get up", sure Donnie.
Related Posts:
A Letter To Donnie McClurkin
Obama Embraces Anti-Gay Gospel Singers For Black Votes
A Letter To Mom
An Interview with Donnie McClurkin's Ex-Lover
13 Comments:
I have to say I agree with Donnie on this one. The bible says that temptation will always come. The bible also states that we should resist the devil and he will flee, but we are also warned that these temptations in our flesh will come from time to time. I can relate to the example of sugar because my father was a diabetic. The longer you abstain from sugar and change your will and craving of sugar, it will go away and when/if you taste sugar again, it would be hard to bare. Does God have the power to deliver? Yes, because if He has power to raise the dead, heal the sick and change lives, He certainly can honor the cry of a man or woman to change from the ways of their sexual nature they feel is impure. Flesh, the soul is carnal and it will always crave that which is perverse and deviate to the true nature of the design of God.
April 03, 2009 9:35 PM
You know if Donnie chooses to give up his sexual desires for God, well more power to him. I may choose to give up red meat, he chooses to give up men. I am not one however, to believe that God ever asked Donnie to be more than who he is, but if he thinks that it's a worthy sacrifice to God, so be it.
However, this personal struggle he himself has chosen must be rough. Where is the happiness in this struggle? Or is that too part of the sacrifice?
April 03, 2009 9:58 PM
As I interviewed Pastor McClurkin, I can honestly say that I believed him when he said that his taste for men is waning.
If you'll notice, he was very forthcoming in choosing not to deny that his attraction to men still exists - he clearly said that the longer he chooses to abstain from same sex, sex - the easier it is to not miss intimacy with men.
I can't say that I blame him for his diligence and desire to choose God, don't we all wish that we had the strength to abstain from the things that are the most natural to us? Honestly, it's like being so faithful to God that one could give up the ability to walk, or talk - would you be willing to do that?
I'm not hatin' on Donnie McClurkin because I don't have it in me to give up shopping, much less sex.
I feel sorry for him because I can't imagine what that daily struggle must be like, for a man with homosexual desires to forgo those feelings is no different than a heterosexual man choosing to give up his attraction to women... he has my support for that reason alone.
April 03, 2009 10:45 PM
**Wraps shawl around neck, hums a good ol' hymn, and proceeds to READ**
You know what, for once I have to concede. I thought I was going to go in, but after really getting into what was said, I believe I understand where Donnie is coming from. You know, this struggle he deals with is SO interesting. I really wish he would come out on a huge media platform and speak on it. I believe that if someone conditions themselves to follow the Bible in the way Donnie has, to interpret it in the way he has, that person could actually will away the DESIRE to sleep with men. I have seen religious "FAITH" do some amazing things for people. I am no HOLY roller, so I do think all of that is psychological and speaks of one's mental strength. What I get from Donnie is that he doesn't act on his NATURAL desires. He has them, he represses them, but they won't ever just go away. Do I agree with his EX-gay status, NO. I believe that Donnie will always be gay, meaning I do not agree with his EX-gay stance. Homosexuality is innate, genetic, there is no EX-ing it, unless your God goes inside of your body, manipulates your genetic structure, and in turn, makes you straight.
Again, BRAVO to Donnie for admitting he is gay and he has the urges to make love in the natural state, like so many of us do. I don't believe he has ever done that before. Well, I have never read it.
April 04, 2009 4:54 AM
What he's doing is not that different from Catholic Ministers and Nuns who take vows of celibacy. Is it not the same thing? The longer you live without physical intimacy, the less the compulsion or desire is there. I'm sure he is still sexually attracted to men, wants to kiss or hold men. But after so long of not doing anything with another person the pressing desire lessens. Some physical sensations will probably even be forgotten. What does kissing feel like and whatnot. Eventually you find other things to replace those feelings and emotions.
Because let's be real here. God didn't make Eve so Adam could just make babies. He made Eve because Adam was lonely. If Donnie doesn't surround himself with people to love and who love him, even if it's not physical, he will probably end up caught in a bathroom stall somewhere with an undercover cop.
Our needs are our needs and while being an active sexual creature isn't a need. Having and sharing emotional relationships with others is. To deny yourself that could result in some pretty self destructive activities to himslef and potentially others. Just ask Catholic Nuns and Priests.
April 04, 2009 5:01 PM
can I call Donnie an ass?
April 04, 2009 6:35 PM
Uh, I have to agree with Donnie.
People have a right to live whatever lives they feel they must live.
Certainly he is not significantly different to your average transsexual who feels they were "born in the wrong body" and who try to change something (their sex) that is way more biologicall fixed than sexual orientation will ever be.
Maybe he feels he was "born witht he wrong sexual orientation".
April 05, 2009 1:30 PM
When you go without something for so long naturally you lose the desire for it.
I'm a vegetarian. At first I didn't believe I could ever live without meat. However, after several weeks and a healthy diet change the intensity has abated.
Anyway, Donnie is doing the samething a married couple does when the passion leaves. They just retreat into defacto celibacy. They still like sex but it's no longer dire that they have it.
Gloria Steinhem, on an episode of Oprah (about a year ago), said that she loved sex...But at 74 years of age she could take it or leave it.
Whoever said that sex is as important as air was a liar. You take away air and you'll die, right on the spot. You take away sex and you may think you wanna die but you gradually learn to deal.
Anyway...
Donnie McClurkin is still gay (the interview just proved that sexual orientation is hardwired...regardless of what they say about demons and spirits and all that jazz); however, he just doesn't have the insastiable urge to partake in sexual behavior.
It is really sad that he's going into a life of celibacy simply because he believes he was born broken. A vow of celibacy should be taken because you truly want to be devoted to the God (or Goddess) of your choosing.
Furthermore, I would respect his stance if he stopped castigating the LGBT community on the regular. Until then I view him as an enemy of gays and lesbians and I'll never support him.
April 07, 2009 9:40 AM
Those of you, especially Chaz who believe Donnie McClurkin is gay are humorous. He NEVER said he was gay. Stop twisting his words. He was raped by gay people. There's a difference. If you were born gay, then why do you need someone else to justify it? McClurkin is trying to get gays to change, proving his point, that IT'S A CHOICE! He CHOOSES NOT TO EAT SUGAR.
To Carrington Lei, I don't believe any of your additional comments, because it didn't make the "quoted" interview. Roll the tape. He never said he wants men. McClurkin is a father, and you need to respect his family.
Child rape and abuse is an epidemic and people are getting away with it because you focus on being gay. Write an article about stopping pedophilia, and you have a point for talking.
April 14, 2009 1:03 AM
I know I am months late but just ran across this. Carrington, may I call U by your name? Until U have experienced God's true deliverance from anything-something that had U bound …being in it cause turmoil not the trying to live w/o it or outside/away from it…U will not understand it. IF one has never been tought on what deliverance truly is and how to live it out they can’t don’t understand it.
I 1st would like to address your statement "wish that we had the strength to abstain from the things that are the most natural to us".
"Natural" provokes many thoughts and definitions 1)produced by nature 2)not man made 3)not supernatural or divinely inspired 4)w/o restraint, unaffected 5)having a physical existence, may have man/human influences 6)what 1 is born w/ or inborn, by (not from) mere birth but not legally recognized/illegitimate 7)what 1 is susceptible to 8)based on/resulting from facts/acts of other input from nature (gravity-what goes up must come down 9)happening/occurring/developing/resulting thru/over a course of time (often) based on other inputs (Grand Canyon, a water fall) 10) felt to b right/fair though not by/according to law 11)based on what is learned, experienced based on human reason rather than on supernatural/divine revelation, 12)out of necessity (nature calls-going to bathroom)
I am not a hater nor do I dislike homosexuals. Sin is sin. Whether a thief, liar, fornicator, adulterer, pride, homosexuality, vanity - He hates sin - loves us (people) but hates sin because it self focused -personal appetite/desires/nature.
HE didn't desire robots so He gave each of us a FREE WILL (soulish - mine/thoughts, will and emotions) and it is from this place that we make our choices. And He allows us to make choices that r are against His perfect holiness - in hopes that (I will use your statement) we will have the "...diligence and desire to choose God.
God was not and is not bio polar or sycophantic. When He said, man w/ man (woman w/ woman) was sin, that it was/is an abomination - He meant/means that. He was so serious He destroyed a whole city and said whoever tries to rebuild it - they would be destroyed.
Every human being (unredeemed, undelivered, unsaved, untransformed) will always lean to their own understanding-nature. And even once saved, delivered-set free from whatever our struggle is thru our confession of faith-salvation - until we allow our mind and heart 2b renewed by the Word of God (and the Word is Jesus) and our obedience/submission to that Word we will walk by, live by, be controlled by our nature/flesh. I do believe a person who recognizes that what they are doing is against God and His Word (Christian or not) – God thru Jesus Christ can and is willing and able to deliver them
One Greek definition of delivered is saved, redeem, made/set free/strengthen. So w/o knowing it U just answered your own? We don't have to 'wish to have the strength to abstain from the things that are the most natural to us' - the answer to this is in Christ. U can stop shopp'n excessively - out side of necessity (natural) - it is a choice - it is not natural to excessively shop and thus over speed, not be able to help/give 2 others, be in debt, not save (more) or not pay your bills (put more on them) b/c U want/desire (a whole bunch of) something(s)(now) - that is greed, vanity, lack of self control, etc. I can say that b/c it use to be me. OMG!!. But w/ your analogy it would suggest that homosexuality - it is something more than natural.
God nor His son Jesus Christ is not looking for or expecting us to give up walking - ONLY sin. That we allow Him thru the acceptance of what His son Jesus died for and receive Him as saver (deliverer) and Lord. If U give up walking, U wouldn't b able to turn (walk away) from devil (sin) and turn back to HIM. If U give up talking, how will U praise Him and witness for Him to bring others (in)to the truth.
November 07, 2009 2:31 PM
Jesus came that we would have life and life more abundant - that we would be free (delivered - no longer struggling in or w/ a lie=what is against Him and His Word - truth - and this can be a process) - that we might be called the righteousness (seeing it, doing it, living it, desiring it God's way which is the right way) of God in/thru Christ Jesus. He died that we would have internal life w/ Him and God in heaven.
I was a thief, a liar, fornicator, committed adultery (whether I knew he was married or not doesn't married - he was and thus that was adultery). Now Carrington (hope still ok to call u by name), it took years even after salvation (which is immediate) to stop lying and stealing but I kept coming to God and more I sought Him in His Word, thru prayer and yes, fasting it diminished. Can I still be tempted, yes, do I give in no because b/c I love God more than myself (my desires, nature), and desire to obey HIM more than my fleshly-natural desires. Now the day I asked God to deliver me -help me to not give in to the sin of fornicating - the next man I am w/ I desire for it to be my husband - HE answered and that was 13 yrs ago and I am not in anyway tempted. Have dated, been engaged but this temptation does not come nigh me. God did it.
As sure as HE did that He did the other but for whatever reason (some things will only make sense later or when we get to glory w/ Him as believer in JC) that lying and stealing thing to a minute.
Not perfect still a work in progress - a good shoe sale can still catch a sista up. :)
As a believer, child of God. Minister of the Gospel, anointed, called - we all still (may) have something, yet, He still blesses us, uses us and allows us access to HIM thru His Son Jesus Christ and desires to be in relationship and fellowship w/ us. Now that’s LOVE and GRACE - that's God. Amazing. B/c He knows and hears our heart - He continues w/ and in us. For the heart crying out to be kept from sin, to be FREE-delivered, to obey Him and His Word, to please Him - He answers.
Turmoil or struggle only exists where there is not peace - where there is lack of truth. So a person can be living their life grand but living it w/o Jesus thus they are living a lie but having a ball doing - and it is ok with them - because they believe/feel that what they are doing is right/fair/natural though not by/according to law - hence let's legalize marriage and get the laws change because it will then make what is "natural" though not divine/Godly/ legal. And the need to legalize it is because there is struggle and maybe even turmoil but b/c I like what I am doing and do not desire to change/submit to God's Way/Word (which is Jesus - who brings salvation and deliverance) - I will continue in what I am doing and let the law be my fix. IT won't work. God meant/means what He (His Word) said.
Now there is another way a person can find themselves struggle and turmoil - when they know what they are doing is against God and they do care and desire to change but feel like they can't or don't know how. This is where the love of God and His Word, prayer, good Biblical counseling, etc. comes in. We have to work out our salvation (deliverance) which is the sanctification process - can be immediate or over time but keep seeking and walking with God and one day the struggle will be gone -over. This requires letting go of guilt, shame, the past & people, healing (emotional, psychological, etc.), forgiveness, patience w/ self and process, trusting God and receiving His love and forgiveness.
November 07, 2009 2:35 PM
Jesus paid it and did it all. He paid for every sin. We have to choose to recognize and accept the things that we do that are against God and the Word that they (and the Bible says sex outside of marriage - which the Bible defines as man and woman (husband and wife) it is against your own body).
He took it all - go be set FREE - delivered, made whole. For whom the Son (not man or even U yourself trying to walkout some false freedom) - whom the Son of God has set free is free in deed. So none of that once a homosexual always a homosexual. Same thing with alcoholism or a liar, or a thief or a fornicator. If U are in Christ, U are free – deliverance was apart of your benefits package – not start walking it out and seek Him and others (the right others) for help if (when) U need it – no matter what your vice, habit, struggle, stronghold – sin is.
God loves U and me - He sent His son to die for the world and the sins of the world. All HE is asking that we make a choice to receive HIS love, His sacrifice His freedom and deliverance and allow Him to show us and help us walk it out.
God bless.
November 07, 2009 2:38 PM
Seriously... everyone.... get OFF the cross. This man is damaging. Living a deceit and trying to cloak his deceit under the "glory of god". Sexuality = Diabetes, really? Everyone likes to talk of how unnatural homosexuality is.... have you all not been paying attention to the repeated cases of homosexuality in the natural world? Didn't "God" make them to? Also, have you all fallen asleep at the wheel regarding the fact that your holy book is a book filled with holes? It has been written and re-written by those in power. It is not the truest word of God... at least, not anymore and hasn't been for a long, long time. Wow. Just wow.
November 12, 2009 7:50 PM
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