The National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) bills itself as “a scientific, secular organization.” However, this year the organization’s annual conference in Phoenix, AZ will begin with a decidedly religious and political tone. On the first day (Nov. 4) of the conference, Rev. Michael Brown and Sharon Slater will speak. Brown, who recently wrote a book called A Queer Thing Happened to America, will speak in a plenary session, while Sharon Slater, leader of Family Watch International will talk about her anti-gay work internationally and at the United Nations (Slater’s name does not appear on the current conference schedule, however, NARTH’s David Pruden confirmed today that she is giving the speech labeled “The United Nations and an International Overview.”)
Regarding homosexuality, Dr. Brown told religious talk show host Sid Roth in April of this year that some people can be delivered from homosexuality by ridding them of demons. To Roth, Brown said:
Sid: I have met people that have been prayed for deliverance that were homosexual and when the demon was cast out of them even their walk was different.
Mike: Listen, why is it that people can accept demonic influences in other behaviors? Someone’s a heterosexual pornography addict and they get delivered from demons and their free. Someone’s addicted to drugs, they get delivered from demons, someone’s got a horrific fierce temper, they get deliver from demons and their free. Why can’t we recognize that this can happen with homosexuality too? It’s not every person. I was in Israel Sid, talking to a top national leader and he talked to me about some men in his congregation and he said that he watched them in front of his eyes and get truly delivered, he said and they are free. They are different, they are fully heterosexual.
More recently, Brown accused unnamed gay activists of complicity in the murder of Larry King, the young gay teen who was murdered in school by classmate Brandon McInerney. Brown wrote on the OneNewsNow website:
Of course, there is only one real killer, Brandon McInerney, just 14 years old at the time of shooting. He confessed to killing Larry in cold blood in full view of his classmates. But there are others who are complicit in Larry’s terribly tragic death, and rather than point the finger at a “homophobic” society, they should point it at themselves. I’m speaking of course of gay activists, who have made Larry into a martyr for the cause of gay activism when, in reality, he was more a victim of gay activism.
Brown argues that gay students should keep their feelings hidden because such feelings, when expressed, provoke harassment from other students. In the article on Larry King, Brown asked:
If our schools really are so “homophobic” and dangerous, why not encourage these kids to keep their sexual orientation to themselves until they’re in a safer environment?
Sharon Slater is the director of Family Watch International, a Phoenix based group which opposes the repeal of laws criminalizing homosexuality. Last month in an interview, Slater told me that she favored laws in the United States which make homosexual behavior a crime. She and her organization Family Watch International work with United Nations member nations to maintain laws which criminalize gays. About those laws, Slater said
“We do not support any laws that promote violence against homosexuals.” She added that her organization presents research showing that gays can change orientation. Such research is relevant to her stance because, “laws that promote violence would discourage therapy for people with unwanted same-sex attraction.”
I asked Mrs. Slater if she considers a 14-year jail sentence a form of violence. She said that her organization has no position on that question saying, “FWI does not dictate to nations what specific laws people should enact or protect regarding homosexual sex or whether they should fine or jail individuals.”
In December, 2009, I asked NARTH’s leadership about the organization’s position on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill. At that time, some proponents of the bill were suggesting that forced therapy for gays should be included in the bill. NARTH’s David Pruden rejected the forced therapy as ineffective. However, NARTH’s Dean Byrd declined to take a position on criminalization saying,
We are aware of the situation in Uganda but thank you for bringing this to our attention. I am sure that you are aware that as a scientific organization, NARTH does not take political positions; however, we are happy to provide a summary of what science can and cannot say about homosexuality for those who do.
NARTH takes no position on criminalization and yet brings in a non-scientist who supports criminalization around the world in an “applied workshop.” NARTH claims to be a secular organization but brings in a minister who believes some homosexuals can be changed by removal of demons. I cannot imagine another scientific group giving a platform for similar views.
Michael Bussee# ~ Sep 26, 2011 at 11:58 am
“Why on earth does Exodus continue to support NARTH and promote their books?”
Because then Exodus can point to a “scientific” organization that supports their work. And I suspect NARTH supports Exodus because it is an excellent source for referrals. It is a symbiotic relationship.
Apparently Exodus no longer supports NARTH to the degree it did – see this: http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2011/09/narth-absent-from-relaunched-exodus-bookstore/
My guess is that it is because they are probably both fueled by a fundamentalist ideology that considers thoughts and feelings to be sinful in and of themselves.
Dave
Why on earth does Exodus continue to support NARTH and promote their books?
Exodus, for example.
Michael Bussee# ~ Sep 26, 2011 at 11:58 am
“Why on earth does Exodus continue to support NARTH and promote their books?”
Because then Exodus can point to a “scientific” organization that supports their work. And I suspect NARTH supports Exodus because it is an excellent source for referrals. It is a symbiotic relationship.
Apparently Exodus no longer supports NARTH to the degree it did – see this: http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2011/09/narth-absent-from-relaunched-exodus-bookstore/
My guess is that it is because they are probably both fueled by a fundamentalist ideology that considers thoughts and feelings to be sinful in and of themselves.
Dave
Why on earth does Exodus continue to support NARTH and promote their books?
Exodus, for example.
Very interesting comments.
Very interesting comments.
It would appear that their junk science is not serving their purposes. Now, they have to resort to bringing propagandists in to instill some more misinformation and bigotry.
Typo:
I meant to say,
Dr. Brown, as I am a member and volunteer of several pro justice orgs. YOU are the most insulting and self righteous people ever to write anything.
I haven’t had enough coffee today.
Dr. Brown, as a member and volunteer of several pro justice institutions, you have to be one of the most insulting and self righteous people ever to write anything.
One of those institutions is the Simon Weisenthal Center in Los Angeles. A Holocaust archive and educational center fighting hate and injustice. They interface with the SPLC. A storied equality and justice advocacy that you’ve called “the real hate group.”
In the backwash of many young children being murdered or assaulted from anti gay sentiment, you’ve written that gays and lesbians ‘are the real bullies’.
I am a crime scene photographer, very experienced with the results of the most violent and depraved of human indifference or sociopathy.
In the course of working with brave and committed gay law enforcement officers, who are parents and former military, I can say in all honesty most of the crimes we attend to are NOT committed by gay individuals.
Gay men and women have considerable patience and courage in the face of the claims you and your ilk make.
Gay people typically respond to such outrages and libel with due process of law, compassion and non violence.
A claim that cannot be made by those whose worst angels you incite.
Your last article in TownHall on the tradition hatred towards Jews is exceptional in it’s ignorance and inaccuracy.
Women, gays and lesbians and the transgendered and intersexed are the most hated and violated human beings in all human history.
Gender is a very serious political issue entrenched in unrealistic and artificially constructed social hierarchies, that has no respect for individuals regardless of their potential and contributions.
I have had the privilege of working with, caring for and being trusted by a demographic you wouldn’t deign to understand, let alone to the same with.
That is to say, many of us hetero people are deeply and intimately close to a group you keep at arm’s length and clearly only know in the abstract.
But you report on them as if more credentialed to.
Well, I have NEVER taken any knowledge about being Jewish, living as a Jew and Jewish history from a non Jewish anti Semite. Nor would I trust the word about blacks from a dedicated segregationist.
So there is no reason to believe a word you say about gay people considering YOUR background and what you’re doing with what you think you know.
I don’t consult men about experiencing childbearing, would YOU?
I can empathize with gay men and women because the injustice they are dealt IS the same as has happened to blacks and women and so on. And I am a black woman.
I’m not, I repeat NOT comparing the attributes of color with sexual orientation.
But I AM, and rightly so, comparing the injustices and cruelty towards a minority of people for the SINGULAR attribute that differentiates them from others, but NOT from being people with considerable gifts to offer mankind.
That singular attribute should not now, nor ever keep them from being treated with the rights, protections and freedoms accorded everyone else by birthright, since gay people are accorded no exclusions from the same responsibility or law abiding principles as the rest of us.
You are as dismissive of the humanity of gay people as anti Semites have been of the Jews, or racists of blacks. Your language and rationalizations are THE SAME.
There IS absolutely no difference in tactics or the claims you make.
However different color is from gender, or sexual orientation is from religious affiliation, that you don’t question the SAMENESS of pejorative language and political maneuvers is what sets YOU apart from respectful and freedom loving citizens.
You are the one who shouldn’t be believed, and the casualties piling up among even gay CHILDREN is what also is the difference in who is doing the most harm to innocents, truth and the virtue of empathy.
It would appear that their junk science is not serving their purposes. Now, they have to resort to bringing propagandists in to instill some more misinformation and bigotry.
Typo:
I meant to say,
Dr. Brown, as I am a member and volunteer of several pro justice orgs. YOU are the most insulting and self righteous people ever to write anything.
I haven’t had enough coffee today.
Dr. Brown, as a member and volunteer of several pro justice institutions, you have to be one of the most insulting and self righteous people ever to write anything.
One of those institutions is the Simon Weisenthal Center in Los Angeles. A Holocaust archive and educational center fighting hate and injustice. They interface with the SPLC. A storied equality and justice advocacy that you’ve called “the real hate group.”
In the backwash of many young children being murdered or assaulted from anti gay sentiment, you’ve written that gays and lesbians ‘are the real bullies’.
I am a crime scene photographer, very experienced with the results of the most violent and depraved of human indifference or sociopathy.
In the course of working with brave and committed gay law enforcement officers, who are parents and former military, I can say in all honesty most of the crimes we attend to are NOT committed by gay individuals.
Gay men and women have considerable patience and courage in the face of the claims you and your ilk make.
Gay people typically respond to such outrages and libel with due process of law, compassion and non violence.
A claim that cannot be made by those whose worst angels you incite.
Your last article in TownHall on the tradition hatred towards Jews is exceptional in it’s ignorance and inaccuracy.
Women, gays and lesbians and the transgendered and intersexed are the most hated and violated human beings in all human history.
Gender is a very serious political issue entrenched in unrealistic and artificially constructed social hierarchies, that has no respect for individuals regardless of their potential and contributions.
I have had the privilege of working with, caring for and being trusted by a demographic you wouldn’t deign to understand, let alone to the same with.
That is to say, many of us hetero people are deeply and intimately close to a group you keep at arm’s length and clearly only know in the abstract.
But you report on them as if more credentialed to.
Well, I have NEVER taken any knowledge about being Jewish, living as a Jew and Jewish history from a non Jewish anti Semite. Nor would I trust the word about blacks from a dedicated segregationist.
So there is no reason to believe a word you say about gay people considering YOUR background and what you’re doing with what you think you know.
I don’t consult men about experiencing childbearing, would YOU?
I can empathize with gay men and women because the injustice they are dealt IS the same as has happened to blacks and women and so on. And I am a black woman.
I’m not, I repeat NOT comparing the attributes of color with sexual orientation.
But I AM, and rightly so, comparing the injustices and cruelty towards a minority of people for the SINGULAR attribute that differentiates them from others, but NOT from being people with considerable gifts to offer mankind.
That singular attribute should not now, nor ever keep them from being treated with the rights, protections and freedoms accorded everyone else by birthright, since gay people are accorded no exclusions from the same responsibility or law abiding principles as the rest of us.
You are as dismissive of the humanity of gay people as anti Semites have been of the Jews, or racists of blacks. Your language and rationalizations are THE SAME.
There IS absolutely no difference in tactics or the claims you make.
However different color is from gender, or sexual orientation is from religious affiliation, that you don’t question the SAMENESS of pejorative language and political maneuvers is what sets YOU apart from respectful and freedom loving citizens.
You are the one who shouldn’t be believed, and the casualties piling up among even gay CHILDREN is what also is the difference in who is doing the most harm to innocents, truth and the virtue of empathy.
This quote, well, it speaks volumes doesn’t it? Does NARTH truly think it is in any way a “scientific organization”? That’s just sad
I apologize if I’m being glib, but has NARTH cared about science prior to 1972 at all? Why is it that anyone gives “airtime” to this group? Do people that matter really care what NARTH does? I’m curious
If I may quote from the comments on Dr Brown’s Crie de Couer WHY HAVE SOME PEOPLE CALLED ME A “HEARTLESS MONSTER”?
Alonzo September 21st, 2011 1:50 pm :
Konstantin September 21st, 2011 2:24 pm :
Zoe Brain September 21st, 2011 10:08 pm :
Dr. Michael L. Brown September 21st, 2011 10:25 pm :
Zoe Brain September 22nd, 2011 2:11 am :
This isn’t surprising. NARTH has had a long history of associating with anyone who agrees with their views on homsexuality, you’ve already posted about some of those dubious associations. And as the science on sexual orientation advances it shows more and more how far NARTH is from reality. Thus those that are willing to associate with NARTH have less and less to do with actual science.
This quote, well, it speaks volumes doesn’t it? Does NARTH truly think it is in any way a “scientific organization”? That’s just sad
I apologize if I’m being glib, but has NARTH cared about science prior to 1972 at all? Why is it that anyone gives “airtime” to this group? Do people that matter really care what NARTH does? I’m curious
If I may quote from the comments on Dr Brown’s Crie de Couer WHY HAVE SOME PEOPLE CALLED ME A “HEARTLESS MONSTER”?
Alonzo September 21st, 2011 1:50 pm :
Konstantin September 21st, 2011 2:24 pm :
Zoe Brain September 21st, 2011 10:08 pm :
Dr. Michael L. Brown September 21st, 2011 10:25 pm :
Zoe Brain September 22nd, 2011 2:11 am :
Well this is certainly chilling news. 🙁
Dave
It seems certain conservative groups tend to more reactionary backlash as concerns when their pet peaves are not satisfied.
This isn’t surprising. NARTH has had a long history of associating with anyone who agrees with their views on homsexuality, you’ve already posted about some of those dubious associations. And as the science on sexual orientation advances it shows more and more how far NARTH is from reality. Thus those that are willing to associate with NARTH have less and less to do with actual science.
Well this is certainly chilling news. 🙁
Dave
It seems certain conservative groups tend to more reactionary backlash as concerns when their pet peaves are not satisfied.