People can and do change.

Jonah has helped oever 2000 people with same sex atrraction (SSA) in the last 10 years.

These are people who have reached out for help – many do want this in their lives.

There are numerous studies in scietific journals to back this up:

2010 peer reviewed study published in The Journal of Men’s Studies found that men experiencing unwanted homosexual attractions seeking sexual orientation change experienced “a decrease in homosexual feelings and behavior, an increase in heterosexual feelings and behavior, and a positive change in psychological functioning.”

NARTH Summary of a Newly Published Study on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts

Summary Written by Benjamin Erwin, Ph.D.

Karten, E. Y., & Wade, J. C. (2010). Sexual orientation change efforts in men: A client perspective. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 18, 84-102.

March 1st, 2010 – Dr. Elan Y. Karten and Dr. Jay C. Wade authored a study published in the Journal of Men’s Studies investigating the social and psychological characteristics of men experiencing unwanted homosexual attractions seeking sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). This study was based on Dr. Karten’s doctoral dissertation at Fordham University, New York, under the direction of Dr. Jay Wade.

Karten and Wade make both timely and significant contributions to the body of evidence understanding SOCE. They investigated self-reported change, which factors were statistically associated with change, and which treatment interventions and techniques were perceived by clients to be most helpful. The authors specifically investigated whether male identity, sexual identity, high religiosity, psychological relatedness to other men, gender role conflict regarding affection between men, and marital status would be related to self-reported change in sexual and psychological functioning

I personally know numerous people who lifted themselves out of this.

Let’s get the facts straight.

People CAN and DO change!

Many, many are reaching out for help – we dare not withdraw our hands.

See http://www.jonahweb.org

For instance, I use a power wheelchair to attend Shabbos, and High Holy Day prayers. I would not expect my community to alter their understanding of what it means to be Shomer Shabbos, just so that I would be included. The reason that the Torah remains. And defines Judaism is because it remains the Torah.

We can extend compassion without alienating or excluding. My Rabbi tells the story of a gay man who wanted to attend our synagogue, but was afraid his sexual preferences would alienate him. My rabbi suggested that the mitzvah, which is usually considered to disallow homosexuality be the last one that he accept.

I understand that this post doesn’t read with continuity to my first comments. This is why am really glad that you even open the door for questions. Thank you very much.

Now I’m not making a judgement on this practice. I’m simply saying that in my opinion and interpretation I do not believe this says all sex should be for procreation and thereby all non-procreative sexual acts are wrong. On the contrary Judaism sees sex as positive for many reasons, procreation is one of those reasons. I understand that there is always a focus on “spilling seed” yet I feel it is a mistake to take that phrase outside the context of the story. According to the translation on Torah-online.org Genesis/Bereshit 38:10 says “And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him also.” How do we know “the thing which he did” only applies to spilling seed and not the whole situation or some other aspect of the situation.

Thank you for letting me share my opinion.

Dear Ms. Schwartz, I thank you for your reponses, they stimulate some rather old little grey cells. I shall answer your question about Onan this week. What specifically is your question.
Blessings
Rebahir

This is an post from my father’s blog on halachic (Jewish Law) considerations of homosexuality. Fascinating!