Over the past several decades western society has changed in the acceptance of same-sex identity and practice.  This change has been promoted and promulgated by the Gay movement through certain assertions and teachings.  What are the assumptions behind these teachings? Do they have substance?  Biblical teaching concerning homosexuality has been understood for many centuries to be very different than what current western culture and society now accepts and promotes.  How do we discern what is truth?  Has understanding of Biblical morality been wrong all this time?  If we want to be faithful servants of God and disciples of Jesus, we need to answer these questions; we need to know what the basic assumptions are behind this change.

In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association decided to strike homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses to be treated by therapeutic procedures. As Gabriele Kuby notes in The Global Sexual Revolution“… this blocked scientific discussion of the longstanding inquiry into the causes of homosexuality. The APA’s decision was not the result of scientific discussion, but of political pressure on individuals who could not withstand it.”^[1]

One of the basic teachings of the Gay rights movement is that same-sex attraction is inherent and unchangeable, that it is natural and normal for some people and that no healing should be pursued. The political pressure that was used to remove homosexuality from the APA list of mental illnesses was based on this assumption of the inherent nature of same-sex attraction. Is this assumption correct? We need to know since this assumption leads to some serious outcomes. For example, the pursuit of the development and use of therapies to overcome same-sex attraction has been made illegal in some places.  In addition, because these teachings lead to adopting homosexual practices, many are made vulnerable to the devastating health consequences of this behavior.^[2] Those with same-sex attractions become labelled as “homosexual” without hope of any change that could mean being part of a heterosexual marriage with possible outcomes such as children and grandchildren.  

Another outcome of this basic assumption is the insistence that same sex attraction is not a choice but an identity: like race or skin color it is part of who the person is and therefore should be protected from any form of discrimination; in fact, anyone who disagrees due to religious beliefs, for example, is homophobic and breaks the law.

Is same-sex attraction inherent without possibility of change or healing? What is the evidence for this assumption?    Interestingly, even after several decades no real evidence has been found to support this assumption. The American Psychiatric Association states: “There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.”^[3]  

Thus, although no real evidence or information has been found for the causation for same-sex attraction, the assumption is still the basis for discrediting religious teaching, limiting research into healing therapies, and insisting on full culture acceptance of homosexual behaviors.  

Kuby’s book also notes: “All major national mental health organizations have officially expressed concerns about therapies promoted to modify sexual orientation. To date, there has been no scientifically adequate research to show that therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation (sometimes called reparative or conversion therapy) is safe or effective.”^[4] In other words, concerns exist about therapies because no adequate research to support therapies has been done and yet the professionals will not allow research to be done. How could therapies be found if no research is allowed?

Many people are born with inherited conditions and yet therapies and treatments are developed to help with reducing symptoms and overcoming the condition.  Why is it not possible to develop therapies for people who have same-sex attraction (whatever the reason), but wish to overcome it?  Should it not be their choice to find therapies? People may not have chosen their sexual attraction but why can they not choose to find therapies to help develop opposite-sex attraction?

There are many “ex-gays” who have found help, at least to a certain extent.  It’s hard to find this information because of the efforts by the gay and lesbian activists to deny these possibilities but consider these quotes:

From Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D.

“Reparative therapy is not the same as ‘conversion therapy.’ It has nothing to do with shaming the client, forcing any kind of change, alienating families, or giving clients ‘shock treatments and nausea-inducing drugs,’ as activists claim. Also, reparative therapy was never intended for people who identify as gay and are content with their gay-self-identification. It was aimed at people who do not identify with their same-sex attractions.”^[5]

From American Psychological Association Past President, Nicholas Cummings, in a USA Today editorial in 2013–before the media blackout on discussion of such ideas became virtually complete:^[6]

“The Southern Poverty Law Center has done amazing service for our nation in fighting prejudice. But it has gone astray in its recent New Jersey lawsuit charging JONAH, formerly Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, a group that offers to help gay people change their orientation, with committing consumer fraud. The sweeping allegation that such treatment must be a fraud because homosexual orientation can't be changed is damaging. The lawsuit is the opening salvo of a wave of activism intended to discredit therapy offered in 70 clinics across 20 states, according to the SPLC.

"When I was chief psychologist for Kaiser Permanente from 1959 to 1979, San Francisco’s gay and lesbian population burgeoned. I personally saw more than 2,000 patients with same-sex attraction, and my staff saw thousands more. We worked hard to develop approaches to meeting the needs of these patients.

"They generally sought therapy for one of three reasons: to come to grips with their gay identity, to resolve relationship issues or to change their sexual orientation. We would always inform patients in the third group that change was not easily accomplished. With clinical experience, my staff and I learned to assess the probability of change in those who wished to become heterosexual.

"Of the roughly 18,000 gay and lesbian patients whom we treated over 25 years through Kaiser, I believe that most had satisfactory outcomes. The majority were able to attain a happier and more stable homosexual lifestyle. Of the patients I oversaw who sought to change their orientation, hundreds were successful…

"Since then, the role of psychotherapy in sexual orientation change efforts has been politicized. Gay and lesbian rights activists appear to be convincing the public that homosexuality is one identical inherited characteristic. To my dismay, some in the organized mental health community seem to agree, including the American Psychological Association, though I don't believe that view is supported by scientific evidence.

"Gays and lesbians have the right to be affirmed in their homosexuality… but contending that all same-sex attraction is immutable is a distortion of reality. Attempting to characterize all sexual reorientation therapy as ‘unethical’ violates patient choice and gives an outside party a veto over patients' goals for their own treatment. A political agenda shouldn't prevent gays and lesbians who desire to change from making their own decisions. Whatever the situation at an individual clinic, accusing professionals from across the country who provide treatment for fully informed persons seeking to change their sexual orientation of perpetrating a fraud serves only to stigmatize the professional and shame the patient.”

Peter C. Kleponis reviewed a book entitled Shame and Attachment Loss: The Practical Work of Reparative Therapy by Joseph J. Nicolosi, Ph.D:^[7]

“Recently the American Psychological Association released a statement declaring that reparative therapy is ineffective and that therapists should not inform patients that change in sexual orientation is possible. Unfortunately, the task force assigned to evaluate reparative therapy was comprised of advocates for gay rights. Because of its composition, it did not review much of the research on the positive effects of reparative therapy. One pertinent work that was overlooked was Dr. Joseph Nicolosi’s new book Shame and Attachment Loss: The Practical Work of Reparative Therapy. This seminal work is backed by over two decades of clinical research, and it cites numerous resources. The book is endorsed by many prominent professionals in the field of psychology…”

Just because “everyone” is saying something doesn’t make it so.  It is hard to sort out truth from falsehood but with something this important we need to seriously consider whether what the news media, many professionals, and other leaders are teaching concerning the immutability of same sex attraction is true.  There seems to be evidence to the contrary.

The Bible does condemn homosexual behaviors and calls for change and repentance, but every single human being is in need of repentance and change. We are all born with the tendency to follow our own desires instead of obeying God. To single out certain people or certain behaviors for hatred and condemnation is one of the things that we all need to repent of. 

Why does a loving God condemn homosexual behaviors especially if same-sex attraction is not a choice? Please see “Risks and Consequences”^[8] for some thoughts on this subject. We need to remember, however, that without Jesus we are all condemned. All need to reach out in love to everyone.

It is important that we carefully consider any teaching with discernment, learning what the assumptions are and what the outcomes are. Please see “Learning Discernment and Abounding in Love”^[9] for some thoughts on this. Being discerning, finding the truth, and listening to those who find themselves with same-sex attraction all take time and love for those in need. What are the answers?  What can we do to help?  May our Lord help us to do this. Please see the list of resources for several books and articles that address this.

References

1. ^ The Global Sexual Revolution by Gabriele Kuby, page 141

2. ^ See “Risks and Consequences” in attached article.

3. ^ APA “Understanding sexual orientation and homosexuality” 2008, paragraph: What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation? https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/orientation

4. ^ Ibid, APA , paragraph: What about therapy intended to change sexual orientation from gay to straight?

5. ^ https://www.josephnicolosi.com/about/

6. ^ Sexual reorientation therapy not unethical: Column by Nicholas A Cummings, president of the American Psychological Association 1979-80.

7. ^ Book review by Peter C. Kleponis, M.A., L.P.C. February 2010, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5527394ae4b0ab26ec1c196b/553007bde4b0d72dc645b769/553007bde4b0d72dc645b76d/1281973610523/lq_77_kleponis.pdf

8. ^ See “Risks and Consequences” in attached article.

9. ^ See “Learning Discernment” in attached article.