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Apple approves iOS App that 'cures homosexuality' photo

I'm still picking pieces of my jaw up off the floor as I write this, but Apple has come under fire for allowing an App that claims to "cure" people of homosexuality. I can hardly believe this is the year 2011.

Exodus International is a ministry group that aims to "teach gay people that they have a choice when it comes to their sexuality." According to these guys, it's a simple case of selecting "freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus."

There is an online petition to have the game removed. It currently has over 125,000 signatures because, well, there are a lot of gay people out there -- people who didn't choose to live a life where they need to put up with this kind of stupidity.

I have to applaud Exodus International -- I didn't think there could be an App more pathetic than the "lol fart noise" or "Stewie Griffin says things" crap, but through the power of YAYZOOS, this group has managed to make the most despicable bit of mobile shit yet. 

As for Apple ... I'd respect its right to publish what it likes if it didn't already ban political comedy Apps and other such items. Apparently, being an ignorant, homophobic c*nt is okay, so long as you're not trying to be funny and you really, really mean it

Apple, Steve Jobs under fire for approving app that claims to cure homosexuality [Yahoo]








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194 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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next 50 comments

ShotgunDiplom4t's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:03
ShotgunDiplom4t
This is why organize religion is bullshit.
Francisco Sauceda's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:06
Francisco Sauceda
Being gay is a choice. Regardless if you subside to a religion or not, it's just not right.
UntidyDubs's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:09
UntidyDubs
"people who didn't choose to live a life where they need to put up with this kind of stupidity."

Thank you Jim. As a gay guy that has to deal with his fair share of shit for no apparent reason, lines like what you just wrote at least remind me that people with rationality exist. How Apple approved this, in THIS day and age is absolutely beyond me.

I need to go and get drunk.
amtalx's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:09
amtalx
I wouldn't care if Apple hadn't exercised draconian content restrictions in the past. Now they approve this? So yeah...fuck Apple.
ObiwanCanoli's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:09
ObiwanCanoli
Who cares. Tired of people with a sexual perversion thinking they have special rights.
drewski's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:09
drewski
Splendid. Does it offer electroshock therapy too?

Thank Christ I have these moral guardians to look out for me...
samuraiedward's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:10
samuraiedward
Damn Apple. Y'all just lost some respect points from me.
spuhgeddi's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:11
spuhgeddi
Where the fuck did these trolls come from?
TheStripe's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:14
TheStripe
Had Apple declined to allow this crap into the store, there'd be a much smaller, but far more vocal set of protestors complaining about infringement of their free speech. The App will come down in the face of controversy, Exodus will issue a ridiculous press statement about the horrors of man-on-man love, and the whole thing will just go away.
CBunn's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:15
CBunn
I've heard that it just disables the apple products you have. Cured!

/run
HEL105's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:15
HEL105
These comments are going to turn really ugly, really fast. I'm getting my ass out of here.
Sexualchocolate's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:15
Sexualchocolate
i agree entirely.

If Apple allowed anything on there, it would be fine. But to disallow ANYTHING and then allow something so clearly and agressively discriminatory is ridiculous.

Religious people, YUMAD? just don't be ghey yourself if that's what the totally unbiased, human mouth piece of your imaginairy deity says. But don't try to push YOUR rules onto everyone else.

Christians really need to realise that not everyone else is Christian too.
Bobthecatlol's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:16
Bobthecatlol
First comment by Shotgun the ignorant troll as always. >.>

From the article some have argued in favour of the app citing freedom of speech. People still don't understand that these are private and international markets, Apple are well within their rights to delete the app if they wish.
Enzi's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:16
Enzi
I think it perfectly fits in the Apple picture. Is anyone really surprised by this?
zhadoba's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:16
zhadoba
Ok, I know its the apple marketplace so the normal rules don't apply (ie seemingly random mixed with very targeted censorship) but isn't this a choice to download or not? Why does
spuhgeddi's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:17
spuhgeddi
Oh look, and both obiwan and francisco both just joined, just to make their dumbass comments. Fuckwads.
Nightsama's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:17
Nightsama
Jesus there's a lot of homophobia going on in the comments for the source story.
~JnRx Teh Jokester~'s Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:17
~JnRx Teh Jokester~
hahahahhahah xD that is all I have to say is LOLz
ErbilT's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:18
ErbilT
Hey Francisco... not that I believe that a person could choose to be gay... but if it was, what business is it of yours if people choose to have sex with each other?

Actually, don't strain yourself too hard with that question because I already have the answer for you.... because it's a personal choice and it's none of your fucking business. Regardless if you believe if it's "just not right"
jawshoeuh's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:18
jawshoeuh
@ObiwanCanoli

die in a fire
Gamernerd101's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:19
Gamernerd101
Utterly pathetic, and some of the responses are even more pathetic. Hasn't anyone been taught to respect anyone else here, or in the world?
Fear No Darkness's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:19
Fear No Darkness
@ Sexualchocolate.

Not all Christians impose their views on everyone else. Isn't that being as ignorant as this app?
Mikular's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:21
Mikular
Signed it. Fucksake.
wickedsickzombie's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:21
wickedsickzombie
There's always going to be something people are going to be offended from. Gay people AND religious people have a right to think whatever they want. Nobody agrees with everything out there so you just kind of have to deal with....life. :P
Sonvar's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:22
Sonvar
Not sure I understand the huff on this. Are they forcing homosexuals to download and use this app? And I guarantee this most likely got approved not because of what it does but that it doesn't go against terms of service because it doesn't contain anything offensive. The worst thing it probably does is quote scripture to you.
w7w7w7w7w7's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:23
w7w7w7w7w7
Happily Signed the petition! I hope Apple can manage to pull there head out of there ass on this one.....
Shadowiii's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:23
Shadowiii
I consider myself pretty hardcore Christian, and I have no problem with gay people whatsoever.
Live your life the way you want to. I won't judge you for it; I have enough problems keeping myself in check, I don't need to go forcing my ideals on other people in some sort of self-righteous crusade.
This app is horrid and Apple should take it down.
KilgoreTrout XL's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:27
KilgoreTrout XL
As asinine as the so-called app is, I believe in free speech, and the lead poisoned bigots have to have their say too. I mostly feel sorry for the horrible lives those "ex-gay" morons lead.

Also

@Francisco Sauceda: get fucked.
AtomicBanana's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:29
AtomicBanana
You know what else has just as good a track record as "curing" homosexuality?

Porn. You're hypocrites, Apple, for getting rid of our porn apps and giving us this shit instead. I SWEAR I'LL TURN GAY WITHOUT MY HARDCORE.
zhadoba's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:30
zhadoba
@ Typhonic sorry your logic is flawed but I doubt you were making a strong case for your side right? If I'm agoraphobic then what that makes me bigoted agaisnt large gatherings of people or being outside?
MuddBstrd's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:30
MuddBstrd
Considering that this is the second time Apple has gotten nailed for allowing a blatantly homophobic app onto their app store, I keep feeling better and better about my desire to switch an Android phone soon.
boomfasa's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:30
boomfasa
@cbunn hahahahaha. Seriously though, if apple said "No we wont support an app that diminishes one of our target markets" they wouldn't have to do any political dancing about it.

@Francisco No. Being ignorant is a choice.
Fear No Darkness's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:30
Fear No Darkness
@ Shadowii. Well said sir.

@ Typhonic. See that's not cool man, you just slammed the app for being the garbage it is then you slam all Christians. :(
Twosixteen's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:33
Twosixteen
@ShotgunDiplom4t Done in one.
SirNinjaFace's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:33
SirNinjaFace
Let's make an app to cure humanity!
Kaggen's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:34
Kaggen
Woah , just ... woah
Sexualchocolate's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:34
Sexualchocolate
@Fear No Darkness - My bad, didn't mean to generalize. There are non-converting obsessed Christians out there too.

Still though, Christians are almost seen in the West as "The Good Guys" when in reality, they've been trying thier level best to convert the rest of the World for what, like, all of human existance....

....generally.

;)

I will bow down to Christian rules when we all eat Kosher AND Halal and we all stick to all the Buddhist, Sikh, Musilm, Jewish and fucking JEDI rules too, all at the same time.

My point is, your beliefs and values are personal to you. it's not your place to try to impose them on others. - Something that Christians, generally, seem to overlook.

Also, it sucks to see the Haters in here. This is a nice gaming community fuckwits, we don't need yo homophobic trolling up in here.
smoger's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:35
smoger
did i accidentally come to kotaku?
302mike's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:36
302mike
They're not forcing anyone to download the app. It may be the dumbest app ever conceived, but they have every right to make it. Apple on the other hand needs to be more consistent with what it allows on the app store. That's the real problem here.
IdlePye's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:37
IdlePye
So whats the problem? As you said gay people dont have a choice in being gay and this game (supposedly) gives them the option. Not that I am supporting this game, just the right for it to exist and be available, personally I would release an app that cured them of the belief in Jesus.
Occams electric toothbrush's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:39
Occams electric toothbrush
Don't know what's more dismaying, this story or some of the comments.
The Silent Protagonist's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:39
The Silent Protagonist
Its always funny how people that want to take a higher moral position resort to bigotry the fastest. So sexual discrimination is bad but making fun of a religion is OK because you don't believe in it. Hypocrisy sure is fun, ain't it?

This is why topics including politics and religion really have no place on a gaming site.
TheToiletDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:39
TheToiletDuck
ooh religion AND homosexuality, i see this comment thread blowing up!
My bet is on 165 comments? Anyone other punters?


I think you guys should give the ex-gay thing a chance, it's a fantastic way to meet non-scene guys.


I hate to be 'that guy' and i respect the way you didn't attempt to pretend it was video game related but there are various other more appropriate* places where this story is posted where destructoid readers will see it. Is it really necessary to post this on destructoid?

*not because of the gay content but not appropriate because of the absolutely not linked to video games or video game culture at all.

But fuck it, you're a blog, post what you want but be careful not to become as much about video games as gizmodo is about gadgets.
Kaggen's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:39
Kaggen
@Enzi Haha perhaps xD Signed btw !
Fear No Darkness's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:40
Fear No Darkness
@ SC HA! I'll let it slide this time, but next time I'm converting you to Christianity whether you want to or not! Then I'm going to teach you the ways of the Force because Jesus was the first Jedi. XD
CrawlingChaos's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:41
CrawlingChaos
@Fear No Darkness

Christianity is a missionary religion as Jesus essentially instructs his followers to "make disciples of all nations." So, saying "not all Christians impose their views on others" is somewhat wrong. An inherent underpinning of missionary work is the mindset that the mission you are performing is to replace any heathen and lesser belief with your superior belief of eternal salvation.

Are all Christians evangelical/missionaries? No, but the religion in and of itself inspires a precedent for such mentalities.
TheToiletDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:41
TheToiletDuck
any other punters?*

my kingdom for an edit button
LittleBigD's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:42
LittleBigD
I'd like to throw my hat in with Fear No Darkness, and Shadowii. Half the comments in here are just as ignorant as this app is. I'm not carrying a bible in my coat pocket, but I consider myself a spiritual person with a Christian background. Not everyone with a little faith is out hunting for gay people every night the way a lot of you drippy fuckwits seem to think they are. The people who whipped up this app are a minority.
EmptySilence's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:42
EmptySilence
I'm Christian, and this app makes me angry. "Curing" homosexuality? Please.....
Humtuk's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/22/2011 09:44
Humtuk
this issue here for me is not so much the whole "gayness cure". honestly if you support freedom of choice and speech you have to support the rights of a church to publish something like this no matter how ridiculous it is. that being said, what if there are people that think something like this would help them? I would probably say that being happy with who you are is the most healthy way for a person to handle being gay (i am sorry that i could not think of a way to word that without making homosexuality sound like an illness, i didn't mean it that way), but who says that a person that is wanting to try this method shouldn't be able to?

the problem here is not with the content of the app, it is with the hypocrisy of apple approval process. please do not confuse the two.

and i stand by my belief that if you believe in freedom of speech and expression, you HAVE to let things like this app exist. otherwise you are just supporting free speech of your ideals.
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