Apple Under Fire For Approving App That ‘Cures’ Homosexuality
Apple come in for a bit of flack after approving an iPhone and iPad app that claims to ‘cure’ homosexuality. The Exodus International app is targeted at ‘homosexual strugglers’ and sets out to teach people that they have a choice when it comes to their sexuality. Gay rights groups have slammed the decision and are campaigning for it to be pulled from the App Store.
The app was created by Christian organisation Exodus, which claims to be the largest ministry for individuals and families ‘impacted by homosexuality’. They say that the controversial app gives users a ‘chance of freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus’. It’s free to download and Apple has rated the app with four out of five stars, deeming it to have ‘no objectionable content’, but campaigners couldn’t disagree more.
US gay rights group Change.org is heading up the opposition saying that Exodus’ claims ‘send out an appalling message’ and have subsequently drawn up a petition to have it withdrawn from the App Store. The petition states: “Apple doesn’t allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its app store, yet it gives the green light to an app targeting vulnerable LGBT youth with the message that their sexual orientation is a ‘sin that will make your heart sick’”
The petition has so far clocked up 35,000 signatures and App Store customers also expressed their disgust at the app being available for download. Keith Hopster wrote: “As a straight man, I find this app offensive and totally inappropriate, we have young gay people around the world killing themselves as a direct result of religious beliefs and Apple allows this.”
This isn’t the first time Steve Jobs and Co have got themselves in hot water over this issue; they were also presented with a 7,000 signature petition last year to remove an app called the Manhattan Declaration that criticised gay people.
Exodus has defended its app claiming that it’s a useful resource and should be allowed to remain on the App Store because they are “committed to encouraging, educating and equipping the Body of Christ to address the issue of homosexuality with grace and truth.”
