Homosexual pressure forced noted psychiatrist to change stand on therapy
June 01, 2012
Relentless pressure from gay activists forced Dr. Robert Spitzer to back away from his scientific judgment that therapy can help homosexuals change their sexual orientation, another leading therapist has charged.
Spitzer, who in 1973 was instrumental in removing homosexuality from a list of recognized psychological disorders, later came to believe that “reparative therapy” was successful in helping some homosexuals change their sexual preferences. His claims made him the object of relentless pressure from gay activists. Finally Spitzer—now 80 and suffering from Parkinson’s disease—renounced his controversial views and issued an apology to homosexuals.
Gerard van den Aardweg, a Dutch psychologist who has also worked extensively on homosexuality, says that Spitzer’s apology was issued under duress. “He had nearly broken down emotionally after terrible personal attacks from militant gays and their supporters,” he says. “There was an outpouring of hatred.”
Van den Aardweg observes that the journal which original published Spitzer’s work on reparative therapy, Archives of Sexual Behavior, has not withdrawn the work, because the study was scientifically sound. “His retraction does not change his results and his results are the only thing that counts,” the Dutch psychologist argues.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: John J Plick -
Jun. 02, 2012 1:23 AM ET USA
"And the people who hounded this poor man need to repent..." No, they are NOT the ones who need to repent, not in that way, for they were already in darkness. Who really "failed" here? This man appears to be a scientist not familiar with "spiritual warfare" and the vicious attacks of demons both directly and indirectly. Where were the Bishops, where were the Catholic laity that should have been protecting him with their prayers???
-
Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Jun. 01, 2012 6:22 PM ET USA
Anyone who plays the role of enabler to practitioners of homosexuality should apologize for facilitating their continuation in acts that are intrinsically disordered. And the people who hounded this poor man need to repent. The truth provokes anger among those who can't stand to hear the truth. And bravo to the Archives.
