Hundreds of people attended a controversial question and answer session held by “ex-gays” at the weekend.

The event, at the Southampton Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, featured panellists who claimed to have “found redemption, victory, healing and freedom from homosexuality”.

The speakers — Mike Carducci, Wayne Blakely and Danielle Harrison — are part of the Coming Out Ministries.

They addressed a range of questions about homosexuality, and told the crowd how to tell whether someone was gay, which measures could be taken to avoid attraction to the opposite sex, and how to interact with homosexuals.

When the speakers were asked if it was possible to tell whether a person was homosexual by their looks or actions, Mr Blakely replied that this was a “judgment call”, and that while masculinity or femininity might be clues, it was necessary to try not to make assumptions.

Another member of the audience asked whether people were born with homosexual tendencies.

Mr Carducci replied: “Someone can be born with homosexual tendencies but that doesn’t have to be the path they choose.”

When asked how to help someone who was gay, Mr Carducci said: “One thing you can’t do is get the hammer out. God is not forceful and will not make someone agree with him.”

The question and answer session concluded a weeklong event organised by the Southampton Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Church regards homosexuality as a breach of God’s Commandments and considers the practice a sin.

The event has been heavily criticised by the Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer rights organisation.

When asked why focusing on a gay lifestyle was still important in 2015, Mr Blakely said it was not just about gay culture but sexual purity.

Quizzed about how best to behave towards gay married couples, Ms Harrison said: “Make yourself available, show you care, and wait for the Holy Spirit to move their heart. Information won’t be absorbed until it is wanted.”

“Anything that looks like approval or endorsement can send the wrong message,” Mr Blakely added.

He said gay people should be treated with love, and that people should get to know them as human beings.

Other topics covered during the weeklong event included “the causes of homosexuality” and “how to treat a family member, friend, or co-worker that is gay”, as well as the personal testimonies of the three panellists.