A U.S. Christian group that once promoted therapy to encourage gays and lesbians to overcome their sexual preferences has closed its doors and apologized to those who underwent treatment, acknowledging its mission had been hurtful and ignorant.
美國一個曾推廣以治療來鼓勵男女同性戀者戰勝自己性取向的基督教團體已關門大吉，並向那些接受過治療的人致歉，該組織承認其任務造成傷害，且是愚昧的。
Exodus International billed itself as the oldest and largest Christian ministry dealing with faith and homosexuality, operating since 1976.
「走出埃及國際」自許是著墨信仰與同性戀議題最久、最龐大的基督教組織，其運作始於1976年。
The Irvine, California-based group’s board unanimously voted to cease operations, Exodus International said in a statement on its website on Wednesday.
這個總部設在加州爾灣的組織，其董事會無異議投票決定結束運作，「走出埃及國際」週三在其網站上的聲明指出。
"We have made a number of mistakes with how we treated people, based on our beliefs," President Alan Chambers said. "I recognize that our beliefs have to change, but I’d never distance myself from the church."
「我們在如何治療人們上，基於我們的信念，犯了一些錯誤，」該組織主席錢伯斯說，「我承認，我們的信念必須改變，但我絕不會疏離教會。」
Chambers declined to estimate how many people underwent therapy, saying it was impossible to calculate because it was practiced by some 260 Exodus International-affiliated ministries across North America.
錢伯斯拒絕估算有多少人接受治療，表示因為相關作法在北美約260個「走出埃及國際」附屬機構施行，所以不可能統計。
"I am sorry for the pain and hurt that many of you have experienced," Chambers said in the statement. "I am sorry we promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents."（Reuters）
「我對於你們許多人經歷的痛苦與傷害感到抱歉，」錢伯斯在聲明中說，「我對於我們宣傳性取向改變的努力，以及讓父母蒙受恥辱的性取向拗直理論感到抱歉。」（路透）
新聞辭典
convert︰動詞，使改變信仰（觀點、態度等）。例句︰The explanation converted him to our point of view.（經過說明讓他轉而支持我們的觀點。）
orientation︰名詞，方向、方位。例句︰The winding trail caused the hikers to lose their orientation.（彎曲小徑使健行客迷失方向。）
stigmatize︰動詞，給…帶來恥辱、污辱。例句︰His past record stigmatized his parents.（他過往的經歷讓他的父母蒙羞。）
資料來源 http://iservice.libertytimes.com.tw/Service/english/english.php?engno=691405&day=2013-06-26
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