GYC Presenter Offers Public Apology
Michael Carducci was among the speakers at the Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC) “Before Men And Angels” convention in Orlando, Florida last month. Carducci spoke about homosexuality in his presentation, saying in part, “For anyone who believes that homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle, I am truly a testimony to let you know right now that you are under demonic control.” He added later, “If we allow homosexuals to bring their lovers into church, and we start letting teach them Sabbath School, you’re allowing demons to come in with them and to engage with your children…”
After Eliel Cruz, the president and co-founder of the Intercollegiate Adventist Gay-Straight Alliance Coalition, wrote a lengthy critique of the GYC presentation, Carducci contacted Spectrum asking to be given space to issue an apology. That apology is printed below. -Editor
To the LGBT men and women who are believers of the Seventh-day Adventist message and to those who were offended by my statement in a presentation that I gave at GYC, I apologize and ask for your forgiveness. In no way would I ever want anyone to feel that they were isolated or in any way outside of the very focus of Jesus’ love and compassion. We are all in this together and as a delegate for the truth and compassion of Jesus Christ, I would never want anyone to feel that they were outside or separated from the merits of a risen Savior. I believe I have a solemn responsibility to make sure that everyone is entitled to love and belonging in the arms of Jesus. In the statement that I made, if anyone felt that they were worthless or undeserving, please forgive me and let me humbly say that I am truly sorry.
In the context of that isolated statement I was referring to my addiction to pornography and masturbation which many struggle with in Christianity. This is not limited to homosexuals, it is something that many straight men and women struggle with too. Please let me clarify that we are all under demonic control if we are given over to lust.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is not law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25)
“Often He met those who had drifted under Satan’s control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side and would give them the victory.” (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, page 26)
Let me conclude with a quote from the movie A Hiding Place:
When the prostitutes with venereal diseases, were added to the inmates of the concentration camp, they were treated like the outcasts of the outcasts. When a Christian woman spoke to one of the prostitutes, the woman replied something like: “You know you’re talking to ‘trash’?, and the Christian said in reply as she laughed at the situation that they were both in: “Honey, we’re all trash!”
