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Catholic Confession iPhone app condemned as anti-gay spiritual abuse

Catholic Confession iPhone app condemned as anti-gay spiritual abuse

A leading LGBT activist group has condemned a new iPhone App, designed to guide Catholics through confession. Among one of many offensive questions asked on “Confession: A Roman Catholic App” is, “Have I been guilty of any homosexual activity?”

“This is cyber spiritual abuse that promotes backward ideas in a modern package,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of “Truth Wins Out,” a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism.

“Gay Catholics don’t need to confess, they need to come out of the closet and challenge anti-gay dogma,” said Besen. “The false idea that being gay is something to be ashamed of has destroyed too many lives. This iPhone App is facilitating and furthering the harm.”

Three young men in South Bend, Ind., designed the app with the help of two socially conservative priests. According to iTunes, the App is ranked No. 22 in sales worldwide.

“When a person feels his or her most innate feelings of sexuality and love are sinful, it denies them a healthy connection to humanity,” said Besen.

“This app is helping to create neurotic individuals who are ashamed of who they are. The creators of this device are the true sinners and they need to confess for the damage they are doing in the name of religion.”

The app also tailors the questions if you sign in as a priest or a “religious.”

For example, under the Sixth Commandment, men and women are asked: “Have I been guilty of any homosexual activity?”

Interestingly however, priests are not asked that question — they are instead asked if they “flirt.”

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