North Texas Skeptic - Vol 21 No 05 - 2007

Magazine Overview

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, dated May 2007, Volume 21, Number 5, focuses on the controversial topic of 'ex-gay' or reparative therapy. The cover headline, "Pray Away the Gay? No Way! Part II," sets the tone for an investigative piece by Kristine Danowski that scrutinizes the organizations and individuals behind these therapies.

"Pray Away the Gay? No Way! Part II"

Kristine Danowski's article delves into the pseudopsychology of 'ex-gay' therapy, examining who promotes it and why. It begins by discussing Love In Action (LIA), founded in 1973 by Rev. Kent Philpott and John Evans. LIA aimed to promote Christianity by helping gay men change their sexual orientation. The article notes that Philpott's book, "The Third Sex?," was withdrawn after a libel suit, and that Philpott himself was removed in 1980 due to "moral indiscretions." LIA, which has chapters nationwide, is criticized for targeting adolescents and their homophobic parents. Gay activists have exposed LIA's methods, which include full-time residential programs with "man monitors" to prevent masturbation. The teen program is described as a "boot camp," and participation is often coerced. LIA's programs are presented as a significant source of income, with adult programs costing at least $1200 per month plus a $2000 initiation fee, and adults expected to surrender their earnings. The adult program can last 2-7 years, while the teen program is shorter.

The article then discusses Exodus International, described as the largest and most influential 'ex-gay' ministry, founded in 1976. Despite past controversies, including its male founders renouncing the movement and marrying each other, Exodus remains profitable and holds national conferences. It is noted for reaffirming fundamentalist anti-gay dogma and increasingly focusing on political agendas with far-right speakers. The movement is also seeking to rebrand terms like 'ex-gay' to 'post-gay.'

John Paulk is presented as another infamous 'ex-gay' leader with "moral indiscretions." A former board member of Exodus, Paulk was a prominent speaker who claimed to have changed from gay to straight. However, in 2001, he was photographed in a gay bar, leading to his public downfall. Exodus removed him from its board, and Paulk sought intensive counseling, admitting he "still struggles" with homosexual urges.

The article lists numerous other groups and individuals who endorse reparative therapy, including the American Family Association, Christian Coalition, Coral Ridge Ministries, "Doctor Laura" Schlessinger, Focus on the Family, and Traditional Values Coalition. It emphasizes that these groups are religiously and/or right-wing politically motivated and often oppose equal rights for women, lesbians, and gay men.

Several individual practitioners are highlighted for their role in the 'ex-gay' movement. Charles Socarides, M.D., is described as an original opponent of removing homosexuality as a mental illness, whose flawed studies reinforcing homophobic stereotypes have been discredited. Paul Cameron, labeled "the most dangerous anti-gay zealot," is a fundamentalist Christian who uses pseudoscience to justify his beliefs, despite his "studies" being discredited and his expulsion from professional associations.

Joseph Nicolosi, who founded the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic, is also discussed. Despite posing as a secular psychologist, he is a devout Catholic. The Catholic church has since severed ties with him. Nicolosi, along with Socarides and others, founded NARTH in 1992 to lend respectability to fringe reparative practitioners. NARTH is described as masquerading as a scientific group while adhering to discredited theories and adopting a political agenda.

The "ex-gay" movement is credited with inventing the "Same-Sex Attraction Disorder" (SSAD), which legitimate professional associations consider bogus. Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, a NARTH member, outlines risk factors for SSAD, such as weak masculine identity and mistrust of women.

Richard Cohen, author of "Coming Out Straight," is mentioned for being permanently expelled from the American Counseling Association for ethical violations. His background includes converting to fundamentalist Christianity and involvement in a religious sex cult.

The article criticizes NARTH, Exodus, and LIA for their lack of uniform guidelines, professional standards, and practitioner qualifications. It points out the absence of clear definitions for "treatment" and "success," with claims ranging from complete conversion to celibacy or achieving a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The issue of success rates is questioned, with 'ex-gay' proponents claiming rates from 40%-90%, while others suggest subliminal tapes or self-hypnosis. LIA claims 12-24 months for a gay person to become straight, while Nicolosi suggests 6.7 years. The article accuses these groups of fabricating claims, exaggerating, contradicting themselves, conducting fraudulent studies, and misrepresenting legitimate science.

It is noted that James Dobson deliberately misrepresented Dr. Carol Gilligan and Dr. Robert Spitzer in Time magazine, leading to press releases from Gilligan and Spitzer decrying his tactics.

The article argues that anti-gay groups like NARTH have a vested interest in suppressing science that suggests a biological or genetic component to sexual orientation, as this would undermine their existence.

Scientific and Technical Advisors

The North Texas Skeptics lists its Scientific and Technical Advisors, including professors of philosophy, sociology, physicians, science teachers, counselors, engineers, and attorneys, indicating a commitment to a scientific and rational approach.

Events Calendar

The "Events Calendar" section promotes upcoming events in May 2007. These include a program on "Morgellon's Disease: A New Illness or Delusional Parasitosis?" by Erling Beck, which will explore the symptoms and the role of the internet and media in propagating hysteria. A "NTS Social Dinner" is also scheduled.

Web News

This section, by John Blanton, covers "Dutchman's Noah's ark opens doors," detailing a half-sized replica of Noah's Ark built by a Dutch creationist, and "Rumors of cell phone deaths greatly exaggerated," discussing a viral rumor in Pakistan about a deadly virus transmitted via phone calls.

MIOS Meeting

This section announces a meeting of the Metroplex Institute of Origin Science (MIOS), featuring Dr. Don R. Patton presenting on "Revisiting The Dead Sea Scrolls." Patton, a geologist involved in the Qumran Plateau excavation, will discuss how the scrolls have changed views on the Bible and compare modern versions with ancient manuscripts.

ID Claims Don't Hold Up

This segment features an op-ed by Dr. John Wise and Dr. Pia Vogel, critiquing Intelligent Design (ID). They argue that ID proponents like Jonathon Wells and Philipp Johnson falsely claim a lack of transitional fossils. The authors provide examples of transitional forms, such as fish-to-amphibian and bird-like reptile fossils, to refute ID claims. They also criticize Michael Behe's argument of "irreducible complexity."

Skeptic Ink

A cartoon by Prasad Golla and John Blanton satirizes the "teach the controversy" approach to evolution, showing a school board agreeing to teach "both sides" but then deciding to teach "evidence against immaculate conception."

Amazon Links

This section explains the NTS's "associates" relationship with Amazon.com, where product links are placed on their website, earning a commission on sales. It describes how "context links" work and how they are displayed.

Future Meeting Dates

A list of future meeting dates for the North Texas Skeptics is provided for September through December 2007.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of pseudoscience, irrational beliefs, and religiously motivated agendas that masquerade as legitimate science or therapy. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, advocating for evidence-based reasoning, scientific rigor, and the rejection of claims not supported by empirical data. The magazine actively debunks topics like 'ex-gay' therapy, Intelligent Design, and sensationalized rumors, positioning itself as a defender of critical thinking and scientific literacy against what it perceives as harmful or misleading ideologies.