The Unity Rally website refers to my entry below about Dr. Schoenewolf’s article on political correctness but misrepresents me and the relationship (as I understand it) between NARTH and Focus on the Family.
The website attempts to link the article by Dr. Schoenewolf with Focus on the Family by claiming that “Love Won Out, NARTH (the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality), and Exodus are all intertwined with Focus on Family.” The truth is that LWO is a ministry of FOTF but Exodus and NARTH are not a part of FOTF. They are separate organizations.
It is unfair to expect FOTF to answer for the content of NARTH’s website (which is where the Schoenewolf article is located) and yet this is what is suggested by the Unity Rally website.
Another claim from the Unity Rally website: “One of their own speaks out against the article justifying and condoning slavery. Dr. Warren Throckmorton, a proponent of gay conversion therapy, openly criticizes NARTH’s publication of this article on his blog.”
My response: 1) I am not a NARTH member and 2) I am not a gay conversion therapist. However, I do support the right of clients to pursue a valued sexual identity which may include assistance in addressing unvalued sexual attractions in their therapy.
My post below was a very singular critique of Dr. Schoenewolf’s article. It is an error, in my opinion, to associate this article on the NARTH website with FOTF. Furthermore, I fully support FOTF and LWO’s efforts to articulate a conservative Christian view of sexual ethics.
Having a philosophical preference for male-female parenting does not lead to a conclusion that gay parents should be viewed any differently by schools (or anybody else for that matter).
Are you saying this is your position and you disagree with the article, or are you saying this is the article’s position, which it clearly isn’t? Not trying to nitpick, but you’ve confused me a lil.
“Building Family Equality in the Classroom” suggests parents attend the first PTA meeting together and introduce themselves as a couple.
Barbara McPherson, legislative affairs coordinator for the California Family Council, told Family News in Focus such activism doesn’t belong in school.
Say ye yea or say ye nay?
Having a philosophical preference for male-female parenting does not lead to a conclusion that gay parents should be viewed any differently by schools (or anybody else for that matter).
Furthermore, I fully support FOTF and LWO’s efforts to articulate a conservative Christian view of sexual ethics.
Do you support FOTF’s contention that if gay parents go to their children’s school as a couple and engage in the same kind of involvement any straight parents would normally be expected to, it should be considered “activism”?
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0042003.cfm
I would not be a member of, give an address to, or be a guest speaker for an organization that publishes articles by men who advocate views like Berger or Schonewolf, any more than I would be a guest speaker for NAMBLA.
Membership in an organization does not imply agreement with all its positions or statements. That is a very simplistic notion.
It is a common error we all must be careful to avoid.
David Blakeslee
I am not a member of NARTH but I spoke at their conferences from 2002-2004. I am slated to speak again this year regarding the sexual identity therapy guidelines. I am going because I believe the guidelines can be of assistance to many who seek a non-ideologically driven means of helping people with sexual identity conflicts. I have also spoken at APA, ACA, and other groups I do not belong to.
Love Won Out, NARTH (the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality), and Exodus are all intertwined with Focus on Family
Unless they’ve changed it, the Unity site has it exactly right.
They are intertwined. LWO is, as you note, a product of Focus. Exodus itself is up to it’s eyeballs in Focus money. Full page ads and billboards don’t come cheap, you know. Then there is that awkward little issue about who’s a member of the Exodus Board… “Mike Haley, employee of Focus and Exodus Chairman” might jog people’s memories.
I don’t think you’re being entirely clear about your relationship with NARTH either.
While it may have been in the (not so distant past), you certainly DID associate with them. Or are they in a habit of randomly inviting guest speakers to their annual conferences?
Warren: I just called Claire who is helping to organize the Unity Rally. She apologized, said she had misunderstood and that she would make the corrections today on the Unity Rally website — to make it clear that you are NOT “one of NARTH’s own.”
I don’t think it is “unfair” to “link” Schonewolf, NARTH, EXODUS and FOTF. What?
Focus on the Family in advertizing, sponsoring and coordinating these road-shows — not only in Palm Springs, but across the country. You have to call FOTF to register for the conference, as I did. I PAID Focus On The family for my registration fee. What are you saying here?
EXODUS and NARTH may not be “part” of FOTF in a “formal” sense, but they are all cooperating to put on the conference. And as Robbi Kenney put it on your own blog — EXODUS and NARTH are “in bed together”.
I think “guilt by association” apllies here.