As a therapist that works with men dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction, it was inevitable I would give a response to the new Netflix documentary, "Pray Away," which is touted as a "definitive documentary" on "conversion therapy." Though neither myself nor any of my colleagues use the term, our opponents would label us "conversion therapists" because we offer counseling to people struggling with their sexuality in a way that facilitates the potential for change. So, if you want to hear from someone who's worked for a former Exodus member ministry (as an intern and later therapist), attended Restored Hope Network conferences, read the books by all the major leaders in the field, gone to ministry trainings, attended NARTH (now Alliance for Therapeutic Choice & Scientific Integrity) conferences, and is being trained in authentic Reintegrative Therapy (the new version of Reparative Therapy) by Joe Nicolosi, Jr, this video is for you. I'm splitting my commentary into two parts. Part 2 will focus on the stories of the individual participants, then inside information on what really led to the collapse of Exodus in 2013, and my final thoughts on the film and ministry to sexual identity strugglers. #PrayAway #Netflix #Exodus #ConversionTherapy #SOCE #ReparativeTherapy #ReintegrativeTherapy #RestoredHopeNetwork #FreedomMarch #Changed #ExGay #ExExGay #ExGaySurvivors #Homosexuality #LGBT #Transgender Part 1: https://youtu.be/wrCZqCrwag8 References: Black, Stephen. (2017). Freedom Realized: Finding Freedom from Homosexuality and Living a Life Free from Labels. Stephen Black's 8/13/21 video commentary on Pray Away: https://youtu.be/Cftx0GFNsWs Stephen Black and First Stone Ministries Panel Discussion on Pray Away: https://youtu.be/Hkzmex74o0o Becket Cook's video response to Pray Away: https://youtu.be/8do7KS_G1PU and his The Gospel Coalition article: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/netflix-pray-away/ Jones, Stanton L., & Yarhouse, Mark A. (2007). Ex-Gays?: A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation. Sean McDowell's Interview with George Yancey on the Difference Between Conservative and Progressive Christianity: https://youtu.be/BoTim3-j7d8 Anne Paulk, Joe Dallas, and Elizabeth Woning's Response to Pray Away Part 1 (primarily their backgrounds): https://youtu.be/jZDeCtQE7tw Part 2 (commentary): https://youtu.be/KN8Zg5NPqWc Part 3 (commentary): https://youtu.be/fz40Y_ZOxVk Samuel Perez interview with Jeffrey McCall about Pray Away: https://youtu.be/WeU_JatkVfg Samuel Perez's experience with Exodus: https://youtu.be/5a-khxTJThc Stolakis, Kristine (director). (2021). Pray Away. Netflix Original Documentary. For further learning, check out these videos by me: The Gay Agenda IS Real: https://youtu.be/RFcla9tW4 ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvkWUoEpKkA

I just finished watching the current two seasons of the Karate Kid spin-off show, Cobra Kai, and I was pleasantly surprised by its relevance to today. It goes against the tide of wokeness, "social justice," and political correctness, and it's totally refreshing. And there are some deep lessons in the characters and the story concerning the crisis in masculinity, fatherhood, and the culture war. I include some thoughts from Jordan Peterson, Grace Church's teaching series The Quest for Authentic Manhood, Paul Coughlin's book "No More Christian Nice Guy," Larry Crabb's book "Fully Alive," and honor-shame culture dynamics. #CobraKai #Masculinity #Fatherhood #JordanPeterson #PaulCoughlin #AuthenticManhood #Assertiveness #Passivity #ToxicMasculinity #HonorShame References: Coughlin, Paul. (2005). No More Christian Nice Guy: When Being Nice--Instead of Good--Hurts Men, Women, and Children. Bethany House. Crabb, Larry. (2013). Fully Alive: A Biblical Vision of Gender that Frees Men and Women to Live Beyond Stereotypes. Baker Books. Peterson, Jordan B. (2018). 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. Random House Canada. Note: Clips from others' videos are used for commentary and fall under Fair Use. Pastor Matt Williams at Grace Church's Quest for Authentic Manhood session 1: https://resources.gracechurchsc.org/teaching/mens-roundtable/quest-for-authentic-manhood/the-problem-and-definition-of-manhood/ Jordan Peterson - Maps of Meaning 2016 lecture #5: https://youtu.be/cFS6fPLQ024 The Best and Worst of Johnny Lawrence from Cobra Kai: https://youtu.be/tzNYAtz8TNo Thanks for watching! Please Like, Comment, Share, and Subscribe (hit the bell for notifications)! If you would like to support the work I do, you can send a donation via Google Pay or PayPal to mr.andrew.rod@gmail.com or mail me at Andrew Rodriguez, PO Box 1364, Pottstown, PA 19464. God bless! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4DAb3Rs3z4