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Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:51:31 -0800

You might find it interesting to know that I have been researching the accusations against YWAM San Fran (and have thoroughly researched YWAM's history and current practices/beliefs). First, the accusations against YWAM San Fran are largely false- either "creative" reinterpretation of events or complete fabrications. They are not anti-Catholic (in fact, they once dismissed a student from their own program for expressing repeated anti-Catholic ideas). While they hold to what most conservative Evangelicals believe about homosexuality, this in itself does not qualify them as being cult. As a matter of policy, they do not initiate conversations regarding homosexuality and will only pray/advise people who first come to them requesting it. YWAM San Fran has been exemplary in their selfless service of the poor (though by no means perfect). As anyone who works with the homeless will attest, you often find yourself serving the mentally ill. As a result, there are frequent false accusations. I have discovered that this is in part what is happening to YWAM San Fran (the posters misusing the COH as a prime example). Rick Ross is not a trust-worthy "cult expert". YWAM will offend many people (at times myself included), but it does not qualify as a cult by the vast majority of academic and sociological terms. As for the "Path To 9/11" film, despite the fact that it was a very poor representation of facts, the only connection to YWAM is that the son of the organizations founder was the director. YWAM in no way funded the film or shaped the script. In fact, it is a matter of public record that the script was determined long before the director was on board. This is the stuff of tabloids and conspiracy theorists. So, YWAM may be questionable to many, but I assure you that it is neither a cult nor a threat to homeless, Catholics or homosexuals (or any combination thereof). Hope that helps!

Seattlest: Elsewhere in the Ist-a-verse

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