Ex-Gay Therapy: A Healing Path

By Dr. Richard Swier | 06/14/09 | 07:31 AM EDT | 5 Comments

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If homosexuals can change and become heterosexual, the foundation for their claims to "civil rights" protection on the same basis as race or sex would crumble. This is why they stubbornly insist that such change never happens, despite the testimony of thousands of people who have experienced its benefits. Today, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) released a comprehensive overview of 125 years of scientific literature on this topic. The evidence overwhelmingly refutes the claims made by factions within the American Psychological Association (APA)--claims that change is impossible, attempting change is damaging, and there is no reason to change anyway, because homosexuality is harmless.

The opposite is the truth on all three counts. The evidence shows that some people who are motivated to change sexual orientation can do so, and there is no evidence that such attempts to change are damaging. And there is every reason to be concerned about living a homosexual lifestyle, because it is clearly associated with higher risks of medical, psychological, and relational pathology--about three times higher, in many cases. This publication--121 pages long, including 27 pages of references--should lay to rest several of the myths of the homosexual movement.

Additional Resources
NARTH, Journal of Human Sexuality, Vol. 1: 'What Research Shows: NARTH's Response to the APA Claims on Homosexuality'

 

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Comments

 
Bull

Your source: National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) - An organization with the explicit goal of furthering the claim that homosexuality is a choice.

The opposition: American Psychological Association (APA) - The largest and most highly respected independent assocation of psychologist in the United States.

Your sources speak for themeselves.  As an educated man, you should be ashamed. 

 

Submitted by Adam G on Sun, 06/14/09 - 08:05 AM » | Print
 
 
Science is about the truth

Adam, Truth is truth. Speaking the truth to the APA is just fine with me. Remember the APA changed its mind and may again if they really looks at this issue from a scientific standpoint rather than political perspective. Thanks for reading my column.

Submitted by Rich Swier on Sun, 06/14/09 - 12:22 PM » | Print
 
 
I appreciate your response

I appreciate your response and your civility.  Unfortunately, the content of the response is little more than a tired truism.  "Truth is truth."  "Green is green."  "Pigs are pigs." and "You are wrong."  A halmark of good science is objectivity.  I've read the literature and seen the studies.  The science is against you. 

Submitted by Adam G on Sun, 06/14/09 - 06:27 PM » | Print
 
 
Great discussion

Adam, I am glad we are discussing this issue, as it needs to be discussed in an open and rational way. The hallmark of good science is questioning existing theories. That is the basis of science. The social sciences, unlike the physical sciences, tend to forget the lessons of the past. Many societies have experimented with homosexuality and all have failed. The fundamental issue boils down to homosexuality being either a lifestyle choice or wired into our genes. Science has not found we are hard wired to be homosexual, as a matter of fact the research in this article shows just the opposite. Just as bestiality is not hard wired into the human genome, neither is homosexuality. Incompatible species or same gender sex is against Darwinism and the entire theory of evolution. If we disprove evolution of species then you have a scientific argument. Experience and observation says not.

Submitted by Rich Swier on Mon, 06/15/09 - 08:48 AM » | Print
 
 
Biology

First off, I really apreciate the oportunity to discuss this issue so openly.  I also ask that you please forgive my awful spelling (it's not one of my strong suits).  In addition, I fully accept and applaud the ascertion that scientific theories should be questioned as that is the only way to refine them properly.  I'm also pleasantly surprised that you have bucked the conservative trend to disbelieve evolution.  However, I would like to point out some flaws in your reasoning.  First, all societies fail.  Although I would argue that there has never been a society without homosexual members, it is highly unlikely that the prevelance or acceptance of homosexuality had anything to do with any individual societies failure.  Failure is a function of time, not homosexuality.  I would also argue that you have mis-stated the fundamental issue.  The issue that you posit would be better stated as "Is homosexuality a lifestyle choice."  If it is not a choice, then it must have biological origins.  Now, biological does not necessarily mean only genetic.  I am aware that at this time there has not been a definitave link established between a singel gene or gene sequence and homosexuality.  It's important to understand that this doesn't mean that homosexuality isn't biological.  As with many complex traits and behaviors, homosexuality is likely linked to a number of genetic, epigenetic (having more to do with gene expression), and hormonal (both in-utero and after birth) factors.  For more on this point, please see:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080628205430.htm or http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080617151845.htm.  As for evolution, I would first point out that simple Darwinian evolution, while still important, is not the only accepted model of evolution.  Like any good theory, it has undergone extensive scruitany and has therefore been reshaped and refined along the way.  Now, I understand how it may be counterintuative that a trait such as homosexuality could persist in a population.  We know that 2 men or 2 women can't produce offspring so how is the trait passed down.  For one, homosexuals have been persecuited for so long and to such a degree, I think that you'll agree that there has been considerable motivation for them to hide who they are and try to blend into society.  In many cases, this likely involved marriage and the obligitory children.  Other explinations include different models of evolution ( http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080617204459.htm).  Regardless, the evidence points to a biological origin.     

Submitted by Adam G on Tue, 06/16/09 - 12:16 PM » | Print
 

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