The research and work of Dr. Nicolosi and NARTH offer a hearty witness to freedom lived authentically in a secular world.

Christian Freedom in a Secular World: Responding to Claims of “Homophobia”

By Don DeMarco, Ph. D.

Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D, a Catholic, is a clinical psychologist at the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic in Encino, California. In 1992, he and two psychiatrists founded NARTH (the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality). The organization’s membership now exceeds 1,000 worldwide. Dr. Nicolosi’s successes with Reparative Therapy are documented in his books, Reparative Therapy of Male Homosexuality and Case Stories of Reparative Therapy. His interviews with men and women who have left homosexuality, together with testimonials on his behalf are available online.

There are two explanations, Nicolosi reasons, why so many men continue to feel “dis-eased” by their homosexuality: “Either society and the Judeo-Christian ethic have coerced these individuals into thinking they have a problem; or, the homosexual condition itself is inherently problematic.” Dr. Nicolosi finds abundant evidence that the latter is the case. Nonetheless, his work has been made more difficult by social forces that stand firmly by the former position, one that tends to marginalize anyone who adheres to the Judeo-Christian ethic concerning homosexuality.

In contrast with Dr. Nicolosi’s position, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has produced a policy statement, “Office-Based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth,” that appeared in the June 24, 2013 issue of Pediatrics. It states that “referral for ‘conversion’ or ‘reparative therapy’ is never indicated; therapy is not effective and may be harmful to LGBTQ individuals by increasing internalized stigma, distress, and depression.” This, of course, is a rather sweeping statement and is at variance with the thinking of other scientists in the field.

The statement also strongly opposes “abstinence-only” approaches to sexuality education: “This expected standard may serve to further isolate and alienate many sexual minority youth [LGBTQ] and contributes risks of personal violence, mental health issues, substance abuse, and risky sexual behavior.” It is at least counter-intuitive, one might say, to think that advising against certain practices would increase their frequency. The policy statement does not note any harmful effects an abstinence-only approach has on heterosexuals.

.................

Read more: www.truthandcharityforum.org