Changes

New research may change the terms of debate. Psychologists Stanton Jones of Wheaton College and Mark Yarhouse of [[Regent University]] released today a book detailing their findings from the first three years of an ongoing study. They are investigating participants in 16 different ex-gay programs associated with Exodus, the largest ex-gay ministry group.<ref>[http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=26429 Study on reparative therapy - Baptist Press]</ref>}}

New research may change the terms of debate. Psychologists Stanton Jones of Wheaton College and Mark Yarhouse of [[Regent University]] released today a book detailing their findings from the first three years of an ongoing study. They are investigating participants in 16 different ex-gay programs associated with Exodus, the largest ex-gay ministry group.<ref>[http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=26429 Study on reparative therapy - Baptist Press]</ref>}}

The study started out with 98 people with 72 of them being men and 26 of them being women.<ref name="bp26429">http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=26429</ref>  Some of the participants quit the study because they believe they had positively changed and didn't see a need to continue while others quit because they decided they didn't want to change from a homosexual to a ex-homosexual. <ref name="bp26429" />  As a result, 73 subjects completed the study.<ref name="bp26429" />

The study started out with 98 people with 72 of them being men and 26 of them being women.<ref name="bp26429">http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=26429</ref>  Some of the participants quit the study because they believe they had positively changed and didn't see a need to continue while others quit because they decided they didn't want to change from a homosexual to a ex-homosexual.<ref name="bp26429" />  As a result, 73 subjects completed the study.<ref name="bp26429" />

According to the Baptist Press, here are the results: 15 percent of subjects experienced substantial change; "23 percent said their conversion was successful and that [[homosexual attraction]] was either missing or "present only incidentally or in a way that does not seem to bring about distress." They were labeled "success: chastity."; 29 percent of subjects experienced modest success; 15 percent of subjects experienced no change and were undecided about what to do next; "4 percent had not changed and had quit the change process, but had not embraced the "gay identity."; "8 percent had not changed, had quit the process and had embraced the "gay identity."; and malfunctions in the taping of the interviews accounts for the remaining 5 percent. <ref name="bp26429" />

According to the Baptist Press, here are the results: 15 percent of subjects experienced substantial change; "23 percent said their conversion was successful and that [[homosexual attraction]] was either missing or "present only incidentally or in a way that does not seem to bring about distress." They were labeled "success: chastity."; 29 percent of subjects experienced modest success; 15 percent of subjects experienced no change and were undecided about what to do next; "4 percent had not changed and had quit the change process, but had not embraced the "gay identity."; "8 percent had not changed, had quit the process and had embraced the "gay identity."; and malfunctions in the taping of the interviews accounts for the remaining 5 percent.<ref name="bp26429" />

Previously,  Dr. Robert Spitzer published a study in the journal ''Archives of Sexual Behavior'' performed using reparative therapy had some subjects experiencing change.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/evidencefound.html</ref>

Previously,  Dr. Robert Spitzer published a study in the journal ''Archives of Sexual Behavior'' performed using reparative therapy had some subjects experiencing change.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/evidencefound.html</ref>

== Conservative Criticism of Reparative Therapy ==  

== Conservative Criticism of Reparative Therapy ==

Although many conservatives approve of reparative therapy there are many that do not which will be elaborated on shortly.  Conservative Christians believe that a homosexual can choose to become an ex-homosexual, however, the point of difference is whether it was chosen in the first place.  The Pew Research Center states the following regarding Americans' views on how homosexuality first originates:

Although many conservatives approve of reparative therapy there are many that do not which will be elaborated on shortly.  Conservative Christians believe that a homosexual can choose to become an ex-homosexual, however, the point of difference is whether it was chosen in the first place.  The Pew Research Center states the following regarding Americans' views on how homosexuality first originates:

{{cquote|Asked why some people are homosexual, 42% say it is "just the way that some people prefer to live," compared with 30% who think homosexuality is something people are born with and 14% who believe it develops because of the way people are brought up. The view that homosexuality is innate is more prevalent now than in 1985, when 20% believed that homosexuality is something people are born with.<ref>http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=764</ref>}}

{{cquote|Asked why some people are homosexual, 42% say it is "just the way that some people prefer to live," compared with 30% who think homosexuality is something people are born with and 14% who believe it develops because of the way people are brought up. The view that homosexuality is innate is more prevalent now than in 1985, when 20% believed that homosexuality is something people are born with.<ref>http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=764</ref>}}

A therapist reports that, after conversion, a previously homosexual man tends to be physically attracted to only his girlfriend or wife.  A heterosexual male is typically attracted to women in addition to his wife, while a converted former homosexual is typically physically attracted to only his girlfriend or wife.

A therapist reports that, after conversion, a previously homosexual man tends to be physically attracted to only his girlfriend or wife.  A heterosexual male is typically attracted to women in addition to his wife, while a converted former homosexual is typically physically attracted to only his girlfriend or wife.

Homosexuality is highly correlated to someone's activities and culture.  For example, training in baseball and figure skating begin when a boy is only about six years ago.  After years of engaging in those activities, often for hours each day, upon reaching adulthood fewer than 1 in 1000 baseball players are homosexual, while estimates are that 33% of male figure skaters are -- a 300-fold difference after doing different activities.

Homosexuality is highly correlated to someone's activities and culture.  For example, training in baseball and figure skating begin when a boy is only about six years ago.  After years of engaging in those activities, often for hours each day, upon reaching adulthood fewer than 1 in 1000 baseball players are homosexual, while estimates are that 33% of male figure skaters are—a 300-fold difference after doing different activities.

In some cases, the therapy addresses hatred a male patient had for his father while growing up.  By repairing that relationship (see also the [[Prodigal Son]]), the therapist can be successful in enabling the patient to become heterosexual.  Paul endorses the equivalent of [[Christian]]-based conversion therapy in [[1 Corinthians 1-8 (Translated)#6:11|1 Corinthians 6:11]].

In some cases, the therapy addresses hatred a male patient had for his father while growing up.  By repairing that relationship (see also the [[Prodigal Son]]), the therapist can be successful in enabling the patient to become heterosexual.  Paul endorses the equivalent of [[Christian]]-based conversion therapy in [[1 Corinthians 1-8 (Translated)#6:11|1 Corinthians 6:11]].