Don’t Play Russian Roulette with Marriage (Part 2 of 3)

Continuation from 29 April blog

 

II. Homosexuals were born that way; and therefore should have the right to marry.

 

The typical definition of “sexual orientation” includes the status of being or the perception of being heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transsexual or even the most recent label, “questioning youth.” The definition itself includes the entire spectrum of human sexuality. Homosexual groups are lobbying to amend laws to include such terms as “gender identity” and “gender expression.” Homosexuals have attempted to point to certain “genetic” studies touting the idea that homosexuality is a genetically inherited characteristic. However, many of these studies are fraught with methodological flaws and are not replicated by reputable scientists. 

 

In contrast to these flawed methodological studies, more than 70 years of therapeutic counseling and case studies suggest homosexuality is a gender identification issue that is environmentally influenced. Homosexuals can change their behavior. There are numerous examples of changed sexual behavior documented in many studies, including the landmark research of Masters and Johnson. (From 1968 to 1977, the Masters and Johnson Institute ran a program to convert or revert homosexuals to heterosexuality. This program reported a 71.6% success rate over a six-year treatment period.  At the time of their earlier work, homosexuality was classified as a psychological disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, a classification which was repealed in 1973.)  A new website has since been launched by the American College of Pediatricians that cautions educators about the management of students experiencing same-sex attraction or exhibiting symptoms of gender confusion.  (It was created by a coalition of health professionals to provide accurate factual information to educators, parents, and students about sexual development.) The college further advises that schools should not teach or imply to students that homosexual attraction is innate, always life-long, and unchangeable. Research has shown that therapy to restore heterosexual attraction can be effective for many people.

 

Bottom line: There is no scientific evidence that homosexuality is genetic and, therefore, immutable. It is noteworthy that Dr. Robert Spitzer, the man who was instrumental in pushing the American Psychiatric Association to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder, has now acknowledged that homosexuals can become heterosexual. His (2003) treatment-outcome research concluded that change, though of unknown frequency, does occur for some individuals and that reorientation therapy should not be dismissed as a treatment option.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel