Posted on 06/10/2005 4:10:52 PM PDT by scripter
Ping - Very interesting reading
As a Dad who would die if one of his boys were gay, I've read this closely, and I'm in the process of following the advice therein.
I just kicked my wife out of the house, and I'm about to go hug both of them.
What a great article. I haven't even finished reading it yet but what I've read so far is what I've believed all along. Fathers are so very, very important to boys. Good, strong, loving, stable fathers. All you dads with sons - please be good to your sons. One good friend of mine who I grew up with is homosexual and has been since like 14 years old. Classic family patterns and he left home and went to live with a middle-aged homosexual. He took care of him and showed him love. That's what he needed. It is so sad really. I believe homosexuality could be reduced if we really work on building strong families.
Can I recommend a book? This book is excellent and what I'd call a must read for parents, especially fathers. Checkout: A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality. You'll be glad you did. There are other places that sell the book if you don't like buying from Amazon, and I can recommend those as well.
Exactly. Strong families are what we need. Less divorce - a lot less. There's a new study out - families are far more important than we realize. Of course I'm being facetious, but sometimes I have to wonder...
Perhaps the most important article I've ever posted.
Interesting reading.
Hmmm, I seem to have arrived before the pro-homo cheerleaders.
I'll try again later.
I actually hope they stay off the thread. What can they say? Men who weren't happy as homosexuals have left the lifestyle and given their reasons.
And from there, following the links at the end of that article.
Also, there's a number of excellent links I inserted as comments.
bookmark
From the back cover:
This fascinating look into the lives of five former homosexuals answers many questions surrounding the possibility of change. Inspirational from start to finish, this documentary describes the process of how some people identified themselves as gay and then how they transitioned to a new heterosexual life. "I Do Exist" demonstrates that change involves more than self-definition. Those who tell their experiences on this film describe profound reorientation of sexual and personal feelings leading to a greater sense of self-awareness and satisfaction.Supplementing the personal stories of change are the observations of psychiatrist Dr. Robert Spitzer, psychology professors Dr. Mark Yarhouse and Dr. Warren Throckmorton and ex-gay advocate Arthur Goldberg. These noted experts give the viewer thought provoking perspectives on the controversial issues surrounding transition of personal sexuality. "I Do Exist" inspires and educates concerning one of the most talked about issues of our time.
Thanks for posting this. It was interesting. As a mom an only son that is sensitive, caring, loving and sweet, that just lost his dad to cancer six months ago it is also scary! Positive male role models I guess is the answer now.
From your profile I see you're a homeschooler and like us, imagine you're part of a homeschool organization. If you are part of an organization, I hope somebody from the group steps forward as a positive role model for your kids...I certainly would if you were in my homeschool group.
Please let me know if I can help in any way.
THIS is a very moving paragraph for me. This is a real concern, for both boys AND girls. It may seem like psychobabble at first, "low gender esteem", but what we popularly define as masculinity and femininity do NOT come "naturally" to all people.
There are many girls who are called "tomboys" growing up. I was one of them. I can definitely attest to feeling mystified by what made other girls "tick". I just wasn't interested in ANY of the things that interested them. I wasn't comfortable around them, wasn't accepted by them, and my mother was pretty distant. I always loved "guy" things like sports, and found that I had a really good rapport with boys, especially my older brother. But boys didn't really want me around either so in effect I was something of a loner. Even now, all of my best and closest friends have been men, and I still feel quite different from most women. But I'm more content with my femininity, even if it isn't what most think it should be.
I think women are beautiful yet in many ways mysterious and sometimes offputting to me. Whereas men make a lot of sense to me and when I was a child I wished I'd been born a boy. Now I'm glad to be what I am.
But what if I'd ever been victimized by one of the boys I hung out with? What if I'd met another girl or a woman who understood me, reached out to me, and perhaps introduced sex into the relationship? What if I'd attended college and tried to fit in by trying lesbian sex (which is really a form of mutual masturbation that is probably quite pleasurable and not painful like sex with men can be). What if I'd joined a sports team and emphasized the "masculine" parts of myself, and taken on more of the characteristics of men? Who knows?!
I had a strong, scriptural upbringing and was active in Christian pursuits from a very young age. I had two parents who stayed together, even though there were a lot of problems. I had a loving, Christian community that accepted me. I had goals that were more important to me (because they were important to God) than just playing sports or being accepted by the world. I've had good role models, male and female. I was taught boundaries and to seek kingdom interests first. I have a relationship with God.
It is also imperative that parents understand the distinction between character differences and personality differences. If you son is sensitive, tasteful, gentle, emotionally expressive and affectionate, these are part of his personality. They are not character defects to be beaten or worked out of him. If your daughter is strong, athletic, logical, autonomous, and doesn't care about shopping or shoes or clothes or makeup, she's not deficient in any way. These are NOT signs of homosexuality! I think treating these kids as if they're different and "gay" makes them more likely to act on those desires if they ever arise.
It seems with a little more progress, prevention will be a subject that can be discussed openly by more public media outlets.
Indeed! If same-sex attraction really is a result of environment and confusion as we think it is, there really is no such thing as signs of homosexuality.
I think treating these kids as if they're different and "gay" makes them more likely to act on those desires if they ever arise.
Exactly. They are only signs that people attribute to something we call homosexuality, when in reality, it has absolutely nothing to do with what we identify as same-sex attraction.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.