Changes

:''See also: [[Homosexuality and the Bible]]'' and ''[[Mystery:Do Sports Affect Sexual Preference?]]''

:''See also: [[Homosexuality and the Bible]]'' and ''[[Mystery:Do Sports Affect Sexual Preference?]]''

'''Conversion therapy''', also known as reparative therapy or Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE), consists of counseling or treatment to change someone's sexual attraction from homosexuality to heterosexuality.  In 2019, [[New York City]] repealed its politically motivated ban on this, just two years after trying to prohibit it. On November 20, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the [[Eleventh Circuit]] struck down bans on conversion therapy in [[Florida]].<ref>[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca11/19-10604/19-10604-2020-11-20.html ''Otto v. Citi of Boca Raton'' decision]</ref>  The [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Bishops of [[Poland]] officially endorsed conversion therapy.<ref>https://www.newwaysministry.org/2020/09/01/polish-bishops-claim-church-teaching-on-homosexuality-is-infallible/, translating the key paragraphs of the original document at [https://episkopat.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Stanowisko-Konferencji-Episkopatu-Polski-w-kwestii-LGBT.pdf]</ref>  [[Leftist]] [[Canada]] has banned conversion therapy and some [[free speech]], which underscores their effectiveness.<ref>https://www.tbnewswatch.com/following-up/following-up-city-looks-to-bar-conversion-therapy-hate-speech-5315659</ref>  The [[Texas]] [[GOP]] platform supports conversion therapy, and [[AI]]-based programs may help individualize this therapy for even greater effectiveness.

'''Conversion therapy''', also known as reparative therapy or Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE), consists of counseling or treatment to change someone's sexual attraction from homosexuality to heterosexuality.  In 2019, [[New York City]] repealed its politically motivated ban on this, just two years after trying to prohibit it. On November 20, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the [[Eleventh Circuit]] struck down bans on conversion therapy in [[Florida]].<ref>[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca11/19-10604/19-10604-2020-11-20.html ''Otto v. Citi of Boca Raton'' decision]</ref>  The [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Bishops of [[Poland]] officially endorsed conversion therapy.<ref>https://www.newwaysministry.org/2020/09/01/polish-bishops-claim-church-teaching-on-homosexuality-is-infallible/, translating the key paragraphs of the original document at [https://episkopat.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Stanowisko-Konferencji-Episkopatu-Polski-w-kwestii-LGBT.pdf]</ref>  [[Leftist]] [[Canada]] has banned conversion therapy and some [[free speech]], which underscores their effectiveness.<ref>https://www.tbnewswatch.com/following-up/following-up-city-looks-to-bar-conversion-therapy-hate-speech-5315659</ref>  The [[Texas]] [[GOP]] platform supports '''conversion therapy'''.

The [[Bible]] and [[Christian]] [[faith]] are powerful methods of becoming a [[heterosexuality|heterosexual]], as are participation in activities like [[baseball]] and [[chess]].  Because [[ex-homosexuals]] exist -- thereby proving conversion is possible -- homosexual activists have sought laws prohibiting conversion therapy in many states, and [[liberal]] California, Oregon, New Jersey, Illinois, and the District of Columbia have banned this therapy for minors as additional liberal states also did.  But on February 24, 2015, an Oklahoma House committee passed a bill to protect the right to conversion therapy, and '''''this therapy is fully lawful for those aged 18 and older everywhere in the [[U.S.]]''''' [[Liberal]] [[Dem]] Governor [[Andrew Cuomo]] has tried to ban it for minors by issuing an unusual executive order in [[New York]].<ref>Gov. Cuomo's executive order purports to prohibit health insurers in New York from reimbursing for "conversion therapy services provided to an insured under the age of 18 years" and "to require behavioral health providers to certify that they will not provide conversion therapy to minors or seek reimbursement from the insurer for such services."  In addition, the executive order purports to make it "unlawful for any mental health facility licensed, funded or operated by the New York State Office of Mental Health to provide conversion therapy to minors" such that "[f]ailure to comply with these new regulations could result in the revocation of license and/or funding for any entity found to have engaged in these practices."  Medicaid was also prohibited from reimbursing for it in New York. [https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-executive-actions-banning-coverage-conversion-therapy Feb. 6, 2016 executive order]</ref>

The [[Bible]] and [[Christian]] [[faith]] are powerful methods of becoming a [[heterosexuality|heterosexual]], as are participation in activities like [[baseball]] and [[chess]].  Because [[ex-homosexuals]] exist -- thereby proving conversion is possible -- homosexual activists have sought laws prohibiting conversion therapy in many states, and [[liberal]] California, Oregon, New Jersey, Illinois and the District of Columbia have banned this therapy for minors.  But on February 24, 2015, an Oklahoma House committee passed a bill to protect the right to conversion therapy, and the therapy remains fully lawful in the vast majority of the [[United States]]. [[Liberal]] [[Dem]] Governor [[Andrew Cuomo]] has tried to ban it for minors by issuing an unusual executive order in [[New York]].<ref>Gov. Cuomo's executive order purports to prohibit health insurers in New York from reimbursing for "conversion therapy services provided to an insured under the age of 18 years" and "to require behavioral health providers to certify that they will not provide conversion therapy to minors or seek reimbursement from the insurer for such services."  In addition, the executive order purports to make it "unlawful for any mental health facility licensed, funded or operated by the New York State Office of Mental Health to provide conversion therapy to minors" such that "[f]ailure to comply with these new regulations could result in the revocation of license and/or funding for any entity found to have engaged in these practices."  Medicaid was also prohibited from reimbursing for it in New York. [https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-executive-actions-banning-coverage-conversion-therapy Feb. 6, 2016 executive order]</ref>

'''''Successful approaches are aided by a change in someone's activities, such as certain sports or even playing competitive online [[chess]], and an elimination of animosity that someone might be harboring, such as a man's anger towards his father'''''. As explained below, several activities correlate with the development of homosexuality, while others correlate with reinforcing heterosexuality.  Conversion to [[Christianity]] and regular church attendance can help; Paul referenced converts from [[homosexuality]] to Christianity in the [[New Testament]].  [[Aversion therapy]], by which someone is averted from an unwanted activity or attraction by associating it with something mildly unpleasant, is a long-established additional approach.

'''''Successful approaches are aided by a change in someone's activities, such as certain sports or even playing competitive online [[chess]], and an elimination of animosity that someone might be harboring, such as a man's anger towards his father'''''. As explained below, several activities correlated with development of homosexuality, while others correlate with reinforcing heterosexuality.  Conversion to [[Christianity]] and regular attendance at church can help; Paul referenced converts from [[homosexuality]] to Christianity in the [[New Testament]].  [[Aversion therapy]], by which someone is averted from an unwanted activity or attraction by associating it with something mildly unpleasant, is a long-established additional approach.

Studies show that 25% of teenagers experience ambiguity in orientation at some point.  Central to the [[homosexual agenda]] is to recruit as many of those teenagers as possible into the movement, without telling them that they can choose heterosexuality instead.

Studies show that 25% of teenagers experience ambiguity in orientation at some point.  Central to the [[homosexual agenda]] is to recruit as many of those teenagers as possible into the movement, without telling them that they can choose heterosexuality instead.

== Notable study on reparative therapy reported in the Baptist Press ==

== Notable study on reparative therapy reported in the Baptist Press ==

There have been several studies regarding homosexuals becoming ex-homosexuals. For example, on September 13, 2007 [[Christianity Today]] published an article entitled ''An Older Wiser Ex-Gay Movement'' and below is an excerpt from that article which focuses on [[Reparative Therapy|reparative therapy]]:

There have been several studies regarding homosexuals becoming ex-homosexuals. For example, on September 13, 2007 [[Christianity Today]] published an article entitled ''An Older Wiser Ex-Gay Movement'' and below is an excerpt from that article which focuses on [[Reparative Therapy|reparative therapy]]:

{{cquote|Since its beginnings in the 1970s, the ex-gay movement has engaged gay advocates in a battle of testimonies. Transformed ex-gay leaders are the best argument for their movement. Likewise, those who've left the ex-gay movement in despair and disgust are the best counterargument. Discussion about this issue continued when Exodus International held its 32nd annual conference in Irvine, California, featuring dozens of speakers and seminar leaders who have quit homosexuality. Down the road outside the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, a news conference featured three former Exodus leaders saying "ex-gay" is a delusion.

{{cquote|Since its beginnings in the 1970s, the ex-gay movement has engaged gay advocates in a battle of testimonies. Transformed ex-gay leaders are the best argument for their movement. Likewise, those who've left the ex-gay movement in despair and disgust are the best counterargument. The debate continued this June, when Exodus International held its 32nd annual conference in Irvine, California, featuring dozens of speakers and seminar leaders who have quit homosexuality. Down the road outside the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, a news conference featured three former Exodus leaders saying "ex-gay" is a delusion.

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:  72 men and 26 women.<ref name="bp26429">http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=26429</ref>  Some of the participants quit the study because they believed 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 an 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 an 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 account 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>

''See also:'' [[First Stone Ministries]] and [[Stephen Black]] and [[Ex-homosexuals]] and [[Overcoming homosexuality]]

''See also:'' [[First Stone Ministries]] and [[Stephen Black]] and [[Ex-homosexuals]] and [[Overcoming homosexuality]]

Reverend [[Stephen Black]] was ordained through International Ministerial Fellowship in 1994.  Stephen left a [[homosexuality|homosexual]] lifestyle in 1983 after spending 8 years gay-identified. Stephen is now the executive director of [[First Stone Ministries]] which is a [[Christian]] discipleship pastoral care ministry offering support groups, literature, educational seminars and public speaking. First Stone Ministries was also a member ministry of [[Exodus International]] which was, until closing its doors in 2013,  the largest network of agencies dedicated to ministering to the issues of homosexuality from a Christian perspective. Stephen Black has been ministering full-time with First Stone Ministries since 1993 and became the executive director in 2000.

Reverend [[Stephen Black]] was ordained through International Ministerial Fellowship in 1994.  Stephen left a [[homosexuality|homosexual]] lifestyle in 1983 after spending 8 years gay identified. Stephen is now the executive director of [[First Stone Ministries]] which is a [[Christian]] discipleship pastoral care ministry offering support groups, literature, educational seminars and public speaking. First Stone Ministries was also a member ministry of [[Exodus International]] which was, until closing its doors in 2013,  the largest network of agencies dedicated to the ministering to the issues of homosexuality from a Christian perspective. Stephen Black has been ministering full-time with First Stone Ministries since 1993 and became the executive director in 2000.

He married his wife, Robin Dawn in 1986, they have three children and one grandchild; they have always resided in the Oklahoma City area.<ref>http://www.stephenblack.org/</ref>

He married his wife, Robin Dawn in 1986, they have three children and one grandchild; they have always resided in the Oklahoma City area.<ref>http://www.stephenblack.org/</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>}}

{{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>}}

Author and ex-lesbian [[Alma Kramer]] take the position that [[Homosexuality and Choice|homosexuality is a sin and sin is a choice]] when she wrote the following:

Author and ex-lesbian [[Alma Kramer]] takes the position that [[Homosexuality and Choice|homosexuality is a sin and sin is a choice]] when she wrote the following:

{{cquote|I made a choice in my life that put me in bondage for 20 years. While it is true that there were certain things in my childhood that happened or didn't happen that influenced my choice, I still made a choice.

{{cquote|I made a choice in my life that put me in bondage for 20 years. While it is true that there were certain things in my childhood that happened or didn't happen that influenced my choice, I still made a choice.

I Corinthians 6:9-11 proves that sin is a choice and that you can change. The New International Version says, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." WOW!! I am so glad we can change. I can remember the time when I thought that there was no way out.<ref>http://www.setfree1.com/2.html</ref>}}  

I Corinthians 6:9-11 proves that sin is a choice and that you can change. The New International version says, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." WOW!! I am so glad we can change. I can remember the time when I thought that there was no way out.<ref>http://www.setfree1.com/2.html</ref>}}  

Dr. [[James Dobson]] and other advocates of reparative therapy do not believe that homosexuality first originates as a result of choice.<ref>http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20061125_james_dobson_identifies_homosexuality/</ref>

Dr. [[James Dobson]] and other advocates of reparative therapy do not believe that homosexuality first originates as a result of choice.<ref>http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20061125_james_dobson_identifies_homosexuality/</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 begins 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 the 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]].

Predictably, advocates of the [[homosexual agenda]] oppose and even seek to prohibit reparative therapy, analogous to how some countries prohibit conversion to [[Christianity]].  But conversion therapy remains fully legal and effective in most of the United States, except recent laws concerning minors that passed in [[liberal]] California, New Jersey, and some additional [[liberal]]-controlled states.

Predictably, advocates of the [[homosexual agenda]] oppose and even seek to prohibit reparative therapy, analogous to how some countries prohibit conversion to [[Christianity]].  But conversion therapy remains fully legal and effective in nearly all of the United States, with the exception of recent laws concerning minors which passed in [[liberal]] California and New Jersey.

== See also ==

== See also ==