Apple iPhone App Approval Aberration

Approving an app designed by a right wing religious group that seeks to 'cure' guys so they become heterosexual? Apple is usually smarter than this.

The lesson for even the savviest, hippest companies on the planet is that the offense is in the eye of the beholder and that any controversial subject, no matter what the context, probably needs several levels of review, if only to eliminate inadvertant biases, cultural misunderstandings, inappropriate senses of humor and basic mistakes.

HuffPost has the story:

"Apple is under fire for approving a controversial iPhone app created by a religious organization that seeks to help gay individuals become heterosexual.

The application, "Exodus International," was created by a ministry of the same name that says its mission is to "[mobilize] the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality."

The app's description notes, "With over 35 years of ministry experience, Exodus is committed to encouraging, educating and equipping the Body of Christ to address the issue of homosexuality with grace and truth."

It received a "4" rating from Apple, which indicates the company considered the app to contain "no objectionable material."

Yet many disagree with Apple's assessment and are demanding that it be removed.

"No objectionable content? We beg to differ," wrote TruthWinsOut.com. "Exodus' message is hateful and bigoted."

Change.org has launched an online petition calling for Apple to remove the app that has garned over 21,000 "signatures."