Changes

:''See also: [[Homosexuality and the Bible]]''

:''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 In 2019, [[New York City]] repealed its politically motivated ban on this, just two years after trying to prohibit it.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]].

'''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. '''''On March 31, 2026, the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] invalidated bans on conversion therapy''''' in its decision captioned ''Chiles v. Salazar'' (Sup. Ct. No. 24-539), which applies nationwide.

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>

Homosexuality is highly correlated with someone's activities and culture.  For example, training in baseball and figure skating begins when a boy is only about six years old.  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. This is a 300-fold difference in sexual preference based on a boy's sports activities (or lack thereof).

The successful approaches are aided by a change in someone's activities, such as sports, or an elimination of the animosity that someone might be harboring, such as anger towards his father.   

Even [[liberal]] [[New York City]] has repealed its politically motivated ban on this, in 2019. 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> Meanwhile, [[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.

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 an 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.

==Homosexuality and sports activities==

==Homosexuality and sports activities==

{{cquote|Another factor from my experience as a close observer of the “ex-gay” phenomenon is that many former homosexuals do not linger in “reparative therapy” programs, or participate in them at all. They attribute their dramatic and (relatively) rapid transformation to the power of God, and likely would not show up in a study of this kind. In fact, these “unstudied” overcomers would appear to be the most successful ex-homosexuals because they’ve moved on with their lives — as “reborn” Christians move on after overcoming any besetting sin.<ref>http://www.americansfortruth.com/news/landmark-study-change-for-homosexuals-is-possible.html</ref>}}  

{{cquote|Another factor from my experience as a close observer of the “ex-gay” phenomenon is that many former homosexuals do not linger in “reparative therapy” programs, or participate in them at all. They attribute their dramatic and (relatively) rapid transformation to the power of God, and likely would not show up in a study of this kind. In fact, these “unstudied” overcomers would appear to be the most successful ex-homosexuals because they’ve moved on with their lives — as “reborn” Christians move on after overcoming any besetting sin.<ref>http://www.americansfortruth.com/news/landmark-study-change-for-homosexuals-is-possible.html</ref>}}  

Peter LaBarbera's statement above concerning [[Overcoming Homosexuality|overcoming homosexuality]] certainly has [http://www.conservapedia.com/Ex-homosexuals#Reparative_Therapy some evidence supporting it].   

Peter LaBarbera's statement above concerning [[Overcoming Homosexuality|overcoming homosexuality]] certainly has [http://www.conservapedia.com/Ex-homosexuals#Reparative_Therapy some evidence supporting it].   

In addition, in 1980 a study was published in the ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' and eleven men participated in this study. The aforementioned study stated that eleven homosexual men became heterosexuals "without explicit treatment and/or long-term psychotherapy" through their participation in a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church.<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7435713 E.M. Pattison and M.L. Pattison, "'Ex-Gays': Religiously Mediated Change in Homosexuals," American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 137, pp. 1553-1562, 1980]</ref> This is far better results than any secular form of attempting to solve someone's homosexuality problem. The [[Atheism|atheist]] [[Sigmund Freud]] was [[determinism|deterministic]] and mistakenly believed that some forms of homosexuality are difficult or impossible to change.

In addition, in 1980 a study was published in the ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' in which eleven men participated. The aforementioned study stated that eleven homosexual men became heterosexuals "without explicit treatment and/or long-term psychotherapy" through their participation in a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church.<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7435713 E.M. Pattison and M.L. Pattison, "'Ex-Gays': Religiously Mediated Change in Homosexuals," American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 137, pp. 1553-1562, 1980]</ref> These are far better results than any secular form of attempting to solve someone's homosexuality problem. The [[Atheism|atheist]] [[Sigmund Freud]] was [[determinism|deterministic]] and mistakenly believed that some forms of homosexuality are difficult or impossible to change.

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

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

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 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 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" />

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>

== Isolated criticism of reparative therapy ==

== Isolated criticism of reparative therapy ==

Nearly all conservatives support the right to reparative therapy. Conservative Christians believe that a homosexual can choose to become an ex-homosexual. The Pew Research Center states the following regarding Americans' views on how homosexuality first originates:

Nearly all conservatives support the right to reparative therapy. Conservative Christians believe that a homosexual can choose to become an ex-homosexual. 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>}}

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>

==Anti-science criticism of conversion therapy==

==Anti-science criticism of conversion therapy==

Political adherence to the [[homosexual agenda]] results in refusal even to consider the possibility that conversion therapy is effective. Politics may explain the American Psychological Association's refusal to cooperate in a proposal to study the effectiveness of conversion therapy: "NARTH offered to join with the American Psychological Association (APA) in conducting a detailed study of the effectiveness of reparative therapy. The APA refused to cooperate."<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_nart.htm#study Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance]</ref>

Political adherence to the [[homosexual agenda]] results in refusal even to consider the possibility that conversion therapy is effective. Politics may explain the American Psychological Association's refusal to cooperate in a proposal to study the effectiveness of conversion therapy: "NARTH offered to join with the American Psychological Association (APA) in conducting a detailed study of the effectiveness of reparative therapy. The APA refused to cooperate."<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_nart.htm#study Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance]</ref>

 

In 2021, the APA published a resolution condemning SOCE (Sexual Orientation Change Efforts).<ref>American Psychological Association et al. ''APA resolution on sexual orientation change efforts''. American Psychological Association, 2021.</ref> However, the document presents severe theoretical and methodological limitations by disregarding recent research and treating correlational data as causal.<ref>Rosik, Christopher. "A Critical Review of the “2021 APA [American Psychological Association] Resolution on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts”." ''Noble International Journal of Social Sciences Research'', 2022.</ref> It also relies on the controversial minority stress theory and groups into a single category everything from aversive and traumatic 20th-century techniques—such as electric shocks, nausea induction, and physical or verbal coercion—to voluntary talk psychotherapies focused on value clarification, which is the type of therapy people actually refer to when defending "SOCE" today.<ref>Rosik, Christopher. "A Critical Review of the “2021 APA [American Psychological Association] Resolution on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts”." ''Noble International Journal of Social Sciences Research'', 2022.</ref> In reality, the outcomes of this practice vary significantly depending on the individual's profile: while non-voluntary participation under external pressure from non-religious individuals tends to produce reports of harm, the strictly voluntary engagement of highly religious individuals motivated to align their behavior with their spiritual values is associated with positive mental health outcomes, without an increase in distress or suicidal ideation.<ref>Rosik, Christopher. "A Critical Review of the “2021 APA [American Psychological Association] Resolution on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts”." ''Noble International Journal of Social Sciences Research'', 2022.</ref>

The opposition to conversion therapy is sometimes ideologically based, and it directs attention away from the harm that gay affirmative therapy can cause.

The opposition to conversion therapy is sometimes ideologically based, and it directs attention away from the harm that gay affirmative therapy can cause.

The ''American Journal of Psychotherapy'' published a case study about a client who was supposedly harmed by treating him for "[[internalized homophobia]]".<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/lcreview.html]</ref>

The ''American Journal of Psychotherapy'' published a case study about a client who was supposedly harmed by treating him for "[[internalized homophobia]]".<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/lcreview.html]</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.

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 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]].

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.

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.