Would
a concentration camp be a pretty place if it had a view of the Adriatic Sea or
would it have been picturesque if nestled somewhere on the Monaco coastline? Unanimous
no. Right?
In
this world we have euphemisms aplenty. For example: somebody isn’t in an insane
asylum, they are institutionalised.
Another
example: “reparative therapy” is offered to those with “unwanted same-sex
attraction”. Note that the adherents of this ideology do not believe that
people are actually gay but suffer from some affliction despite the fact the
American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of
official diseases and disorders in 1973.
I
was thus unfazed when I received a very amicable email from an
organisation that offers “reparative therapy” under the guise of a fluffy new
image.
My
letter with the very amicable letter I received hereunder:
---
From: Cobus Fourie
To: New Living Way Ministry
Dear Mr Bekker
Thank you for your communique.
We note the more positive attitude of the organisation. Thank you for
the welcoming nature of the letter.
I have to vehemently disagree with the aspect of the organisation that
will deal with treating "unwanted same-sex attraction" though.
Basically every reputable medical (psychological/psychiatric)
organisation has denounced so-called "reparative therapy" in the
strongest terms. Below excerpts from leaders in the field of psychiatry:
---
In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from
the DSM and declared that it is not a disease of any kind. The American
Psychological Association and various other medical associations followed suit
not long after.
In 1997/1998 and again in 2000 the American Psychiatric Association
denounced “Reparative Therapy” saying inter alia:
“[There] is no published scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of
reparative therapy as a treatment to change ones sexual orientation”
“The potential risks of reparative therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behaviour”
“The potential risks of reparative therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behaviour”
“Therefore, the American Psychiatric Association opposes any psychiatric
treatment, such as reparative or conversion therapy which is based upon the
assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a
priori assumption that the patient should change his/her sexual homosexual
orientation.”
http://www.psych.org/Departments/EDU/Library/APAOfficialDocumentsandRelated/PositionStatements/200001.aspx
http://www.psych.org/Departments/EDU/Library/APAOfficialDocumentsandRelated/PositionStatements/200001.aspx
---
The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) has issued the
following position statements:
“SASOP Position Statement on Homosexuality
SASOP acknowledges that in the past, use of diagnostic systems that
classified homosexuality as a disorder, may have caused patients distress. SASOP
actively distances itself from this previously held position and endorses the
equality clauses in the present constitution.
SASOP endorses the stance of the American Psychiatric Association that homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgement, stability, reliability, or general social, vocational capabilities or increased psychopathology. (The APA removed homosexuality as a mental disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1973 after reviewing evidence that revealed it did not fit necessary criteria to be categorized as a mental illness.) SASOP undertakes to do all that is possible to decrease the stigma related to homosexuality wherever and whenever it may occur.
SASOP opposes any psychiatric treatment such as "reparative" or "conversion" therapy designed to change a person's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual and supports the opinion of the APA that "there is no scientific evidence that reparative or conversion therapy is effective in changing a person's sexual orientation. There is, however, evidence that this type of therapy can be destructive." In fact reparative therapy runs the risk of harming patients by causing depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior...
SASOP recognizes that bias-related incidents such as acts of violence or harassment, arising from anti-gay and lesbian prejudice are widespread in society and continue to be a source of individual suffering and trauma. These incidents result in emotional and physical trauma for individuals, as well as stigmatization of affected groups. SASOP deplores such bias-related incidents and encourages its own member psychiatrists to take appropriate actions in helping to prevent such events, as well as to respond actively in treating the victims of such events.”
SASOP endorses the stance of the American Psychiatric Association that homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgement, stability, reliability, or general social, vocational capabilities or increased psychopathology. (The APA removed homosexuality as a mental disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1973 after reviewing evidence that revealed it did not fit necessary criteria to be categorized as a mental illness.) SASOP undertakes to do all that is possible to decrease the stigma related to homosexuality wherever and whenever it may occur.
SASOP opposes any psychiatric treatment such as "reparative" or "conversion" therapy designed to change a person's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual and supports the opinion of the APA that "there is no scientific evidence that reparative or conversion therapy is effective in changing a person's sexual orientation. There is, however, evidence that this type of therapy can be destructive." In fact reparative therapy runs the risk of harming patients by causing depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior...
SASOP recognizes that bias-related incidents such as acts of violence or harassment, arising from anti-gay and lesbian prejudice are widespread in society and continue to be a source of individual suffering and trauma. These incidents result in emotional and physical trauma for individuals, as well as stigmatization of affected groups. SASOP deplores such bias-related incidents and encourages its own member psychiatrists to take appropriate actions in helping to prevent such events, as well as to respond actively in treating the victims of such events.”
---
I thus have to implore you to rather focus on the positive aspects of
your organisational goals (which I welcome) and to refrain from possible
destructive "therapies" however well-intentioned.
Feel free to write us to debate these issues.
Kind regards
--
Cobus Fourie
Board Member
SA GLAAD
The South African Gay & Lesbian
The South African Gay & Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation
www.facebook.com/SAGLAAD
www.facebook.com/SAGLAAD
Twitter: @SA_GLAAD
---
---
On 6 February 2012 08:33, New Living Way Ministry <Info@caringforgays.co.za> wrote:
Good Day
I want to thank you for your support to
International Healing Foundation (SA) over the past two years. God has guided
us to register a non-profit company that has a broader vision than what we had
for IHF (SA). New Living Way Ministry will replace IHF (SA) witch will close on
29 February 2012. On the “welcome page” of our new website www.CaringForGays.co.za you
will read the following:
Welcome to New Living Way Ministry
New Living
Way Ministry is a Non Profit Company and an interdenominational Christian
organization that serves and reaches out in love to the gay community and their
loved ones. Our vision is to have a care centre from where we will serve those
suffering with HIV and AIDS, and where a residential program will cater for
people with unwanted same-sex attraction. Temporary accommodation is envisioned
for men and woman who are homeless and destitute due to a variety of
circumstances, and those involved in prostitution are also close to our hearts
to be reached out to. A chapel on the premises will enable us to meet some of
the spiritual needs of those we are serving. We believe in serving a person as
a whole - spirit, soul and body and will provide the necessary means to do so.
Being also an
educational and counselling organization, we endeavour to empower men, women,
and children to heal from past and present wounds, releasing them to live a
powerful life, and to fulfil their destiny. We also aim at educating the
religious and secular communities about same-sex attraction and early
intervention. We work to promote healthy individuals and relationships, healing
communities, families, and churches.
We value the
right of individuals to live life as they desire, and love and accept them just
as they are. We will accompany everyone on their journey to wholeness and
affirm their right of self-determination, self-acceptance, and self-discovery,
while respecting their faith and values and how it might impact their choices.
Not being
ignorant of the fact that some terms like "homosexual,"
"homosexual community," "homosexual lifestyle" or "he
is a homosexual," etc. might be offensive to some readers, I want to
highlight that it is not our intention to offend anybody, should such terms be
found on this website. Because our articles are obtained from many different
sources, it's not always possible to avoid these terms. However, please know
that it is not used with malicious intent.
As followers
of Christ, it is appropriate for us at New Living way Ministry to repent and
ask the gay community for forgiveness for the way individual Christians and
Christian organizations have often treated you. We publicly apologize to those
of you within the Gay community for the hate you have felt and experienced from
the Christian community. That has been our sin against you, and we ask for your
forgiveness. We want you to know that you matter to us and you matter to God.
God loves you, He cares about you, and He has a plan for your life.
Please note that all our contact details remain the
same except for the email address which will be Info@CaringForGays.co.za and
the website which will be www.CaringForGays.co.za.
We are looking forward to continue serving you and
our community.
Kind Regards
André Bekker
New Living Way Ministry
Mobile: +27 (0)71 326 8034
Office: +27 (0)11 394 3031
CARING FOR
GAYS THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES
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