February 8, 2013

Statement from Christian Concern’s Christian Weekly News: “Di Hodgson of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) has admitted that the organization’s opposition to therapy for those with unwanted same-sex attraction is not simply based on scientific evidence. She said on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme: ‘We have taken a view in a way which is regardless of the scientific findings. We still believe that it is unethical to seek to agree or to work towards changing someone’s sexual orientation through psychotherapy’ (you can listen to it here at 3m 4s in).”

“The disregard for science and emphasis on ethical opposition is worrying for both those who want the therapy and those who want to be able to provide it. It threatens to sideline people with Christian views on sexual ethics in this area.”

February 7, 2013

The story was covered by the Washington Examiner. Here is an except: “Prince George’s County Public Schools has pulled from six middle-school health classes a controversial video that discusses therapy as a tool to help gay teens become straight. The video, called “Acception,” is part of a bullying-prevention curriculum crafted by Washington-area filmmaker and psychologist Christopher Doyle.”

“The 20-minute film features four teenagers’ struggles with bullying: One boy is bullied in the locker room, a second boy is rejected by his family after telling them he is gay, a girl comes out of the closet and a second girl describes overcoming feelings of attraction toward women and eventually getting married to a man. A roughly five-minute segment also discusses whether people are born gay and describes reparative therapy as an option for gay people who want to be straight.”

February 7, 2013

CBS affiliate WUSA in Maryland interviewed ex-gay Christopher Doyle. Here is an excerpt: “Christopher Doyle asks, ‘Why would we want to withhold information to students, isn’t that’s what America’s about?’ Doyle’s production company’s video is called ‘Acception,’ and it’s been playing for middle-schoolers in Prince George’s County Public Schools for the last year, until this week.”

“The district says the video was pulled not because it included the concept that, with therapy, it’s possible for a teen to switch from gay to straight, but rather because the video didn’t focus enough on anti-bullying. Doyle says this all came as a surprise to him, and that the video is centered on anti-bullying messaging.”

February 7, 2013

Excerpt from an Associated Press article in the Leader-Telegram: “IRVING, Texas — Caught in an ideological crossfire, the Boy Scouts of America is putting off a decision on whether to ease its policy of excluding gays. Whatever the organization eventually does, it’s likely to anger major constituencies and worsen schisms within Scouting.”

“The delay, which the Scouts attributed to ‘the complexity of this issue,’ was announced Wednesday after closed-door deliberations by the BSA’s national executive board. Under consideration was a proposal to ease the longstanding ban on gays by allowing sponsors of local troops to decide for themselves on the membership of gay Scouts and adult leaders.”

February 6, 2013

Excerpt from the Americans for Truth About Homosexuality website: “Americans For Truth reiterates its call for the two corporate CEOs who reportedly are the strongest advocates for the pro-”gay” policy change — AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson and Ernst & Young CEO Jim Turley — to resign from the BSA’s Executive Board immediately. Regrettably, these two advocates of homosexuality have undermined the organization they are supposed to be serving. Through their ongoing pro-LGBT advocacy, they have instigated a massive and unnecessary public controversy that has already damaged the reputation of the Scouts. ‘Out and proud’ homosexuality may be the current rage in the corporate world, but it is not a Scouting value.” The list of the coalition as of February 6, 2013 is in the article. PFOX is part of the coalition.

February 5, 2013

Excerpts from Dr. Joseph Nicolosi’s article on the NARTH website: “Reparative Therapy posits two fundamentally distinct self-states in unwanted same-sex attraction (SSA) for males: The Assertive Self- State within which the client finds his true self, and the Shame Self-State within which he experiences his false self.” …

“The Self-State distinction essential to Reparative theory finds theoretical support in the writings of Joyce McDougall. In her clinical studies, she confirms Reparative theory’s understanding of homosexual enactment as a gender-based self-reparation; i.e., a means of “repairing” a wound in gender identity.” (more…)

February 4, 2013

Excerpt from the ad: “Every American who believes in freedom of thought and religious liberty should be alarmed by the attacks upon the Boy Scouts, who have had core convictions about morality for 100 years. Every Scout takes an oath to keep himself ‘morally straight.’ The Boy Scouts have every right to include sexual conduct in how they define that term. Many of our organizations stood with the Boy Scouts when the Supreme Court of the United States upheld their right to maintain their membership standards. To compromise moral principles under political and financial pressure would teach boys cowardice, not courage.” The ad can be linked here.

February 1, 2013

Excerpt from Christian Concern: “A Christian psychotherapist is the subject of a professional conduct inquiry in London for supporting therapy for those with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction. Dr Davidson is a trainee with the British Psychodrama Association (BPA) and also a director of Core Issues Trust, a non-profit Christian ministry supporting men and women with homosexual issues who voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression. He took part in a BBC local radio broadcast in January 2012. As a result of comments he made about homosexuality, the BBC interviewer – among others – complained to Dr Davidson’s professional body. In response to a question, Dr Davidson said: ‘yes I do believe homosexuality is a sin.’”

February 1, 2013

On January 30, 2013 advocates on both sides of the debate over reparative therapy presented their positions in Committee Room 11, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London. Christian Concern reported that those opposing reparative therapy argued that the nature of homosexuality was innate. Disputing the innate view of sexual orientation was Dr Berger, Consultant Psychiatrist and practitioner of the therapy, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Canada. Christian Concern interviewed representatives on both sides of the debate and posted their responses in a YouTube video.

January 29, 2013

Excerpt of Greg Quinlan’s letter to the Boy Scout board of directors: “As a former homosexual who was sexually molested as a child, I urge the Boy Scouts of America to reinforce their policy prohibiting homosexuals as Scout leaders entrusted with the care of impressionable young boys and teens.”

“Boy Scouts leaders are exactly that – leaders. Boys watch them very closely. … A homosexual who gently eases boys and young men into exposure of homosexuality by his own personal example promotes homosexual behavior as normal, natural and healthy. This paves the way for youth to question their own sexuality and be affirmed into homosexuality. Promoting homosexuality to youth is also a political ploy to further homosexual approval.”