I remain open to the possibility that people can and do experience a 180 or even a 360 sexually.

I’ve seen a lot of 360s. Not so many of the 180s however.

That was certainly not my intent. I hope you know that I have no desire to diminish any person’s individuality or spirit.

Michael,

I know that was not your intent, however, it is the intent of others and that was the point I was making. The intent seems to always have to do with making them right rather than thinking of what is right for the person they are describing. This verse helps me put it into perspective and I realize again how impossible it is to put any kind of difinitive limitation on anyone.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

The things you listed above might be true for many, however, people take exception to being described by another in a way that diminishes their individuality and spirit.

Ann, you know me. That was certainly not my intent. I hope you know that I have no desire to diminish any person’s individuality or spirit.

As I said, there may be other, more profound and more important changes — ones that are even more meaningful and more life-changing than sexual orientation change. Some of these changes may be very private in nature.

I was only pointing out that these things are not sexual reorientation from “one orientation to another.” I believe that God can do anything — and that such a change may be possible. Very, very rare and not yet documented scientifically — but possible.

For me, I’ve been reminded of how, less than a decade ago, I hated karaoke with a passion. I’d stop in at a neighborhood bar or restaurant and see that it was karaoke night…and I’d flee immediately. If meeting friends, I’d either convince them to leave too or tell them I’d catch up with them some other time. Mine wasn’t just an indifference to karaoke but a strong distaste.

So, it’s been a strange journey for me to see myself doing a 360. And I’ve always figured that even a 180 deserves some introspection. Why did I once hate it so much? Why do I now find it so satisfying? (When I was considering the move back to Pennsylvania, the ‘availability of karaoke venues’ was high on my priority list. LOL. I’d daresay that for most people, that factor wouldn’t have even merited consideration.) Even with something as basic as karaoke, the answers aren’t simple. There isn’t a one sentence, one reason explanation for anything. I’ve discovered both conscious and subconscious factors that were responsible for energizing my strong feelings both against and then for karaoke. I see no reason, as yet, to conclude that the direction of sexual desire cannot be similarly influenced.

I remain open to the possibility that people can and do experience a 180 or even a 360 sexually. Someday, if we are able to reduce the impact and effects of the great polarization, we may be able to recognize them and learn from their experiences. Of those I know who once identified as gay or transexual and who happily married heterosexually, the majority have wisely chosen not to violate the sanctity of their relationships by speaking publicly about the most intimate parts of their relationship. It’s advice I gave to anyone I knew who was diving into the waters of heterosexuality; it’s a position I respect for anyone who has gone there.

The things you listed above might be true for many, however, people take exception to being described by another in a way that diminishes their individuality and spirit. I think those who want to describe anything about themselves that is this personal to others, they do. When it is being described by another, no matter who is doing the describing, we can be assured that biases and personal motivations will seep in.

The gay man was not changing his sexual orientation but his attraction preferences.

Here are some other things that are not what Warren referred to (above) as a change ” from one orientation to another”:

Changing what you call yourself. Adopting a non-gay identity. Living in accordance with one’s religious values. A reduction in the intensity or frequency of homosexual attractions.

Celibacy. Avoiding sex with other men but privately masturbating to gay fantasies. Overcoming a sexual addiction — say to cruising bookstores, for example. Already bisexually attracted men who choose not to act on their homosexual attractions.

Developing (or already having) some sexual feelings for only one special woman while continuing to have a generalized attraction to the same sex. Noticing that there are some female attributes that are lovely or appealing — without the sexual interest.

I am sure I have left out a few. These are all “changes”, to be sure. There may be other, more profound and more important changes — ones that are even more meaningful and more life-changing than sexual orientation change. And many may be very happy with them.

I do not mean to minimize how difficult — and how rewarding — some of these changes may have been for those who made them. But they are not, to use Warren’s words, a change for “one orientation” to another.

Shock treatments, aversion methods, medication, religiously-based support groups, therapy of various kinds have all been tried. Surely, by now, if the brain were so plastic, one would expect to see lots of examples in the litereature of true sexual orienation change from homosexual or heterosexual. I wonder what such a task force would find?

“NARTH authors again mislead readers…”

I ask again, why on earth would NARTH keep doing this? Don’t they realize that smart and observant people are watching? And why would they keep Cameron around — citing his “research” — when even Exodus, a non-scientific organization, had the good sense to dump him?

NARTH has, for as long as I can recall, whined and whined and whined that they can’t get any respect. And yet, they keep doing the same thing — over and over and over again. Shooting themselves in the foot and complaining that someone else hurt them.

What do they expect?