Interstate 35 Evangelicals Accused of Exploitation

Evangelicals behind the Highway of Holiness, a prophecy movement that claims to find biblical proof that Interstate 35 holds spiritual significance to Christians have come under criticism for a "purity siege" outside a Dallas, Texas,  gay bar. The group has held events along Interstate 35 in the Minnesota cities of Albert Lea, Minneapolis and Duluth.

James Stabile, son of Dallas pastor Joseph Stabile, was featured in a 700 Club report about the Highway of Holiness movement and the "purity sieges" held outside gay bars, porn shops and abortion clinics. Stabile, according to the report, had been instantly transformed as purity siege members lit a "fire" inside him by screaming, "Fire," and pushing the inebriated Stabile. The group, Heartland Ministries, claimed success when Stabile said he was converted and his homosexuality had left his body.

Except there was no success, according to reports.

Stabile suffers from bipolar disorder and had not been following his medical regimen in September when the purity siege caught him.  His father told the Dallas Voice that his son was prone to being less than truthful and tended to seek attention when he was not taking his medication. His father said that his family accepts Stabile's  sexual orientation and they never heard him say he wanted to stop being gay.

Nevertheless, Stabile was taken to a treatment center to help him "cure" his homosexuality. He allegedly was told by church members to stop taking his medication, as God would cure him, and not to contact his family.

Stabile's parents said Heartland "manipulated and exploited" their son for publicity. Stabile told the Dallas Voice that his experience at the "straight camp" was "horrible." His mother was equally critical. "None of that experience was Christian, helpful, loving or supportive," Suzanne Stabile said.

A group that monitors "ex-gay groups" called the experience "predatory." Wayne Besen, executive director of TruthWinsOut.org, said: "This was predatory coercion, rather than a legitimate conversion. The overzealous preachers were so intent on proving that gay people could change that they never considered the damage they were doing to James Stabile and his family. Pat Robertson, Heartland World Ministries and Pure Life Ministries ought to apologize for dividing this family and fraudulently claiming that Stabile had become 'ex-gay.'"

Stabile's family has called on The 700 Club to retract the story about their son.