Prayers for Ian Thorpe - Life Ministries

Posted June 5, 2014

Many people have warmly welcomed champion swimmer Ian Thorpe’s decision to come out as a gay man, but is it really a good thing?” FamilyVoice national president Dr David Phillips said today.

Ian had previously said he was attracted to women, that he loves children, and he wants to have a family one day. Should we really be celebrating his decision to embrace gay sexuality?

Ian claims he has never had sexual relations with a man. He may find that the gay scene, which will now pursue him relentlessly, may not be all that he is hoping for. Monogamy and fidelity are the exception rather than the norm in same-sex relationships.

A fact sheet issued just weeks ago by the US Centers for Disease Control shows HIV infections are soaring among men who have sex with men.1 Syphilis rates2are also on the rise. Condoms are not foolproof — especially when used while depressed or intoxicated or both.

On Sunday night Michael Parkinson asked Ian if his depression was caused by his homosexuality, but Ian said no. His depression has been lifelong.

We know from authoritative studies of identical twins3that homosexuals are not born that way, but life experiences may give rise to same-sex attraction later on.

I would encourage Ian Thorpe to consider the experience of some other young men who have had homosexual feelings. Sometimes, some of them change – such as Luca di Tolve, who once was gay, but is no longer that way. Luca’s story is told in a rap song.4

I and many others are praying for Ian’s wellbeing and healing from his chronic depression.