One Nation Under God

“Curing” homosexuality is the mission of Exodus International, a Christian reparative therapy organization profiled in the documentary One Nation Under God. Believing that homosexual activity is sinful and that a gay or lesbian sexual identity is a psychological disorder which can be healed, such recovery programs have set out to turn unhappy gays into “ex-gays.” Of course, it doesn't take into account that what might be making gays unhappy is the lack of self-acceptance that occurs as a result of living in a homophobic society. One Nation… visits an annual Exodus International conference attended by both organizers and clients and interviews the participants. Recovery techniques such as prayer, outdated psychological practices, exorcism, and beauty makeovers are revealed and candid reactions of failure and anguish experienced by the unsuccessful participants are voiced. All in all, Exodus International has a high attrition rate. Also documented are two of the group's original co-founders, Michael Bussee and Gary Cooper. Both have since renounced the organization as a sham and, after years of working together, found themselves in love and moving in together. Interwoven with the history of the organization are historical reviews and archival footage of various psychotherapeutic techniques, such as electroshock and drug therapy, employed and current political perspectives on the futility of changing sexual identities.////Following the 7pm screening on Friday, May 6, Pastor Martin of the MCC Church will lead a discussion group on gays and the church.