Over 150,000 people signed an online petition demanding that Apple remove the Exodus International iPhone app which claimed to help people with unwanted same-sex attraction to live a life congruent with biblical teaching.

In a statement released on their website, Exodus International said Apple originally gave the App a 4+ rating, but has caved in to the gay activist groups who launched a petition to remove it.

"We are extremely disappointed to learn of Apple's decision to deny equal representation in the public square," said Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International. "Discrimination of thought and belief obstructs essential dialogue and authentic diversity," said Chambers noting that Apple provides hundreds of apps specific to the GLBT community and has made the Gay Christian Network's podcasts available on its iTunes store.

"Ultimately, this issue comes down to what we, as a culture, believe about equality and the freedom to express our beliefs," said Chambers. "It is our hope that Apple will reconsider its decision and allow our organization to be part of the ongoing conversation about the challenging issues many face today."

Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr confirmed the App's removal from the App Store because "it violates our developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people."

TWO and Change.org both praised Apple today.

"Apple made a wise and responsible decision to dump an offensive app that demonized gay and lesbian people," Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out, said in a statement. "The real winners today are LGBT youth who are safer and less at risk for receiving Exodus' malice and misinformation."

Exodus International is an interdenominational not-for-profit Christian organization, founded by Michael Bussee, Gary Cooper, Frank Worthen, Ron Dennis, and Greg Reid. The free App encouraged people to read prescribed reading material, attend events and to donate to Exodus International.

Sources
Exodus International
Truth Wins Out
cnet News

The App by the organisation of the same name Exodus International has been widely criticised both for it's functionality and content.

• "Just tried using it... but it kept crashing halfway through...guess I'm bi now."
• "Boring app which hasn't changed me."
• "I'm still Gay, and God loves me."
• I can't understand why Apple would allow such a thing. Being that just about every Gay person I know owns at least one of their products.
• "Biblehumper" labelled the app as "shameful" and "disgusting"

Of 27 ratings in the Australian iTunes store, only one gave it 5 stars. 25 people rated the App as 1 star. Substantially more votes have been cast in the US iTunes store. Of the 586 ratings, 154 rated it 5 stars, and 413 rated it a 1 star app.

The New Zealand iTunes store registered one vote, the voter giving the App a 1 star rating. His comment "not even his most Christian friends would accept this Gospel".

At Change.org, around 35,000 people have signed an online petition for Apple to remove the App.

Exodus International claims over 35 years of ministry experience and to be "the world's largest ministry to individuals and families impacted by homosexuality". Exodus states that it "upholds heterosexuality as God's creative intent for humanity, and subsequently views homosexual expression as outside of God's will".

An interdenominational not-for-profit Christian organization, founded by Michael Bussee, Gary Cooper, Frank Worthen, Ron Dennis, and Greg Reid. The free App encourages people to read prescribed reading material, attend events and to donate to Exodus International.

Apple has been asked whether it intends to take any action in respect of this app, but so far there has been no response.

Unfortunately for Apple, it may have to chose between offending its Christian base or its gay base. Both have significant spending power.

However, when faced with an app created around the Manhattan Declaration, which is hostile to gay marriage, Apple removed the app.

Sources:
Huffington Post
The Register
Exodus International