News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

smartphone-main_article_image.jpg
cc
World News

Apple bans 'homophobic' app for same-sex attracted Christians

iPhone and iPad users can no longer download the software, which was produced by Living Hope Ministries (LHM) - a Texas-based group offering one-on-one pastoral counselling and mentoring.

A petition was started by the gay rights group Truth Wins Out which accused the app of saying gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are "sick".

The organisation's executive director Wayne Besen said: "We thank Apple for exemplifying corporate responsibility and taking swift action to remove a dangerous app that stigmatizes and demeans LGBT people.

"Ex-gay programmes are consumer fraud and cause significant harm to the people they purport to help."

Google (creenshot)

Founded in 1989, LHM describes its mission as to "proclaim God's truth" and promote "sexual and relational wholeness".

Its website goes on to say: "LHM proclaims a Christ-centred, biblical world-view of sexual expression rooted in one man and one woman in a committed, monogamous, heterosexual marriage for life.

"Anything less than this ideal, falls short of God's best for humanity."

Apps found to contain "defamatory, discriminatory, or mean-spirited" content - including such references to sexual orientation - face being penalised under Apple's app rules.

Ricky Chelette, the executive director of LHM - which is not related to a UK-based church of the same name - told NBC News the app - which has been available for years - is a "discipleship ministry" and "very much like a church."

CC Ludovic Bertron

He added: "We help people understand who they are in Christ. We only help those individuals who are seeking us."

Truth Wins Out is now urging Amazon and Google to remove Android versions of the app.

Premier has contacted Amazon, Apple, Google and LHM for a comment.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate