Why does loving thy neighbour have to mean 'healing' them of being gay?

The recent reports of a Bloemfontein training centre that claims to heal homosexuality have been a hot topic this week.

As a Christian myself, I hold a different point of view when it comes to the issue of gay rights. Not all Christians think that all gays need to be 'cured' of homosexuality.

People have the right to choose what kind of lifestyle they lead, whether it's wrong or right in biblical terms. God gives people that right, what right is it of mine to want to 'cure' people if they don't choose to live how I would have chosen?

Not everyone is Christian, so not everyone needs to adhere to the Christian way of life.

Whether or not people lead 'wrong' lifestyles is between them and God. It is not for me to judge, but love everyone, regardless of who and what they are.

I know as a Christian I work on my own sinful, human nature on a daily basis. None of us are perfect, homosexual or not!

I do think God can change people, but people have to want this change, if they see a need. This applies to everything, not just homosexuality. As to how it happens, that's for God to worry about.

I have a few questions when it comes to the particular healing centre that started this whole debate:

Are people being committed to these healing centres by their friends or family, or are they there of their own free will?

Is everyone coming to the healing centre a Christian, or required to convert to Christianity?

I have no idea what other religions say with regards to homosexuality, I don't really care. What I know is that I'm a Christian who subscribes to the Bible, and as much as it says I should not practice homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), it also says to not judge others (Matthew 7:1) and to love people unconditionally (Mark 12: 31).

Why does it matter if someone is gay or not? Unless someone is unhappy with living a homosexual life, I don't think people should try to play God and make people be the way they see fit.

This whole subject gives Christianity a bad name. We are persecuted enough on a daily basis just for being Christian without having to now defend practices not all of us believe in.