Discussion on whether therapists should be allowed to offer counseling to persons wanting to rid their same-sex desires commenced Tuesday at the American Psychological Association.
The so-called reparative therapy remains a heated debate between gay rights activists and religious groups who argue that homosexuality is a sin and against the created order of God.
"There are many men and women who have unwanted same-sex attractions. Those persons should have the option to get a form of treatment or counseling that parallels their value system, their faith beliefs, their religious convictions, particularly Christians who hold to a view that homosexuality is outside God's created divine," said Tim Wilkins, a former homosexual who heads Cross Ministry and speaks at more than 120 events each year, telling Christians how to deal with the issue of homosexuality.
The American Psychological Association (APA) is currently reviewing its 10-year-old policy on counseling homosexuals. Pro-gay groups are pushing for a complete ban of any type of reparative therapy while evangelical Christians urge respect for religious diversity.
Some Christians have already expressed concern that the APA may be headed in the direction of favoring the interests of gay-rights activists considering the six-member task force that was set up to review APA's policy is dominated by gay-rights supporters, conservatives argue.
"Every individual should have a right to what is called self-determination,” Wilkins said, “in other words, the ability to incorporate one's religious beliefs into the counseling."
"And if you want to argue for diversity, that is diversity - allowing every option and alternative and venue available to a person who comes to a counselor or therapist for help," he added.
If the APA decides to adopt a ban on all therapy to homosexuals seeking change, Wilkins said that what the APA would be doing is "clearly discrimination."
For gay-rights advocates, a ban would give reason to shut down such groups as Exodus International that has claimed to help thousands of people out of homosexuality.
"If the APA does in fact ban reparative or conversion therapy, we will at long last have a solid legal argument for shutting down such groups as Exodus International and Homosexuals Anonymous," said Richard Rothstein on QueerSighted, an online gay and lesbian community. "This will also mean that under standard and existing malpractice laws, psychologists and therapists who continue to advocate and practice such therapy would be subject to license revocation, hefty fines and even imprisonment."
Such a move would mean silencing former homosexuals and those who believe homosexuals can change.
"His (Rothstein's) comment reveals exactly what his goal and purpose is and that is to take a ministry such as Cross Ministry and put duct tape over my mouth, tie the hands of Christians and those involved in this area of ministry and attempt to force us to not do what we have a God-given and constitutional right to do," Wilkins argued.
