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Christianity Today, October, 2007 |

The Best Research Yet

Two psychologists show that homosexuals should not be discouraged from seeking change.

Tim Stafford | posted 9/13/2007 02:20PM

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Will the Jones-Yarhouse study dramatically change the way the ex-gay movement is regarded? That seems unlikely, given the firm ideological commitments of opponents and the limited changes observed. But Jones and Yarhouse have a more modest goal: respect for "the autonomy of individuals who, because of their personal values, religious or not, desire to seek change of their sexual orientation as well as those who desire to affirm and consolidate their sexual orientation." Without evidence of harm, and with substantial evidence that some can find help on the basis of their religious values, on what professional or scientific basis can they be discouraged from seeking such help?

Tim Stafford is a CT senior writer.

Related Elsewhere:

Ex-Gays?: A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation is available from ChristianBook.com and other retailers.

InterVarsity Press held a press conference on the book today in Nashville.

This article appears as a sidebar to "An Older, Wiser Ex-Gay Movement" in our October issue.

Previous articles on ex-gays and reversing homosexuality are available in our special section.

Mark Yarhouse is professor of psychology and director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity (www.sexualidentityinstitute.org) at Regent University

Stanton Jones's articles and reviews for Christianity Today include:

Homosexual Healing | Review of Coming Out Of Homosexuality (August 15, 1994)

The Incredibly Shrinking Gay Gene | By Stanton L. Jones, provost at Wheaton College, and Mark A. Yarhouse, assistant professor of psychology at Regent University. (October 4, 1999)

The National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality published an interview with the authors about their previous work.

PATH (Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality) lists studies on reparative therapy and links to organizations, such as Exodus International, that work with people who have unwanted same-sex attractions.

ChristianBibleStudies.com has a Bible study on "Homosexuality and Gods Household."

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October 2007, Vol. 51, No. 10

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Benjamin Clark

Posted: September 27, 2007 10:04 AM


This study was rigged to achieve the desired results. It conveniently was not even peer reviewed. This is called junk science. Take a look at this link for more details: www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2007/09/ex-gay-study-rigged-to-achieve-desired-results/

Matt	Posted: September 18, 2007 3:17 PM

It is well known that Stan Jones is not well-liked among the APA. It is also well-known (or should be) that the spokesmen for an organization don't always accurately represent those for whom they are speaking. There are several individuals at those "fundy" institutions who wholeheartedly disagree with Stan Jones. However, my guess is that you don't hear about these individuals because of the possible consequences of doing so. Many people neglect two facts: 1) for some homosexuals, it really is something that developed later in life and 2) being a "developmental" cause does not preclude that it is also a biological cause. From my experience, I believe that "reparative therapy" can help- but only an infinitesimal percentage of homosexuals. We will have to accept that the rest really have born to be attracted to members of the same sex, and that reparative therapy will only do more damage than good. I hate to end on that note, but I've run out of room.

Deacon Steve

Posted: September 17, 2007 10:32 AM


As an educator, I have dealt with too many students whose 'Christian' parents threaten to disown them if their parents ever found out about their sexuality. The comment by Will above, is as outrageous and false now as it was in the 90s. Christy Tucker's and John's comments sum it up, I'm afraid. Institutions strain their credibility with such junk science. Let's get on with preaching the Gospel.

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