The new book Ex-gays? discusses a very thorough longitudinal study on ex-gay therapy, and confirms that
- therapeutically impressive results are provided by such therapies, and
- the therapies do no harm
I think this puts the nail in the coffin for the argument that such therapies should be suppressed or labeled as abusive. Here’s a review from EO, plus an excerpt from the first review at Amazon:
This study demonstrates with convincing scientific evidence that the Christian ministry interventions of Exodus International produced strong and clinically meaningful changes in homosexual orientation in a large percentage of individuals. Furthermore this careful clinical research investigation of a significant number of individuals yielded no evidence to support the common assumption that attempts to change sexual orientation causes harm or psychological distress.
–George A. Rekers, Ph.D., FAACP
Distinguished Professor of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science Emeritus
University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Yes, the disease must be eradicated and society cleansed, right seeker? One book written by two Christian authors with an obvious ax to grind (I looked them up) provides nothing new. The vast majority of scientists and psychologists (including their professional groups) refutes this view. It is only xian conservatives who still cling stubbornly to myth and scorn science (witness the I.D. vs. science imbroglio).
It matters not if vast majorities of people dispute a view with opinion – for years the opinion was that homosexuality was an illness, but does that make it so?
This issue is fraught with political beliefs, but not scientific ones.
This is a presentation of data done in a scientific manner. That gives it more weight than the opinions of many. Doesn’t make it right or overwhelmingly conclusive, and while the authors’ perspective may be questioned, the challenge should go to the science, not to their bias. If the science is good, then complaining mouths must put up data and logic.
In this matter I’ll trust the scientific establishment over christianists. The scientific data I’ve seen indicates that sexual orientation is unchangable and attempting to change it is harmful. Of course, you will parade anecdotal evidence of “ex-gays” you know, but this indicates nothing at all. Gays have been trained from early childhood to hide their true feelings and activities, especially if they come from religionist backgrounds. Who knows what you’re friends and other supposed ex-gays on doing on the down-low? And, since their shame and self-loathing is so pronounced, who knows what they have allowed others to convince them of?
Frankly, I don’t trust anything that comes out of xianity on this subject. And especially not books written by avowed xianists. You sneer at science while simultaneously appealing to it. It all reminds me of Nazi pseudo-science in their malign pursuit of racial purity.
Of course, you will parade anecdotal evidence of “ex-gays” you know, but this indicates nothing at all.
I agree, anecdotal evidence means nothing. But while you merely allude to studies, I have provided this one, as well as the spitzer study which I believe is a study of the literature. You may have the politics of science on your side, but not science itself.
Here's a few citations for you. However, I am aware that, whatever the science is, you will reject it as "political." This is how the xian right tries to weasel its way around the facts. It's kind of like the "teaching the controversy" tactic used to sneak creationism into school science classes. You are dependent on fringe elements, mostly xian, for your "studies." I'll stick with mainstream science. http://www.psychologymatters.org/hooker.html http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c… http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general…