Truth Wins Out, a watch group that dispels myths of the so-called ex-gay movement, has alerted news organisations that a new "politically motivated" study citing the supposed success of Christian-based reparative or ex-gay therapy will surface later this year.
Wayne Besen is the founder and Executive Director of Truth Wins Out, and author of Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth.
Titled "The Thomas Project," the 5-year study will survey handpicked testimonials from "ex-gay" lobbyists and ministry leaders who will be asked once a year if they had "changed" on the telephone.
The group cited receiving unconfirmed reports that the study has a sample of as few as 100 to 150 participants in contrast to Exodus's claims that they represent "hundreds of thousands" of ex-gays.
"Any 'ex-gay' study that does not include physical components that measure truth are essentially meaningless," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen.
The statement says that there is no indication that key physical measures or tests were included, such as a "No Lie MRI," which is a scientific truth-detecting brain scan.
"We challenge Dr Stanton Jones to submit his so-called ex-gay subjects to the 'No Lie MRI' because we believe that ex-gay ministries are consumer fraud and his reported study may be invalid. Our direct challenge is a unique opportunity for ex-gay organisations to back up their outrageous tales of transformation and prove us wrong once and for all. What are they afraid of?"
"After several key ex-gay leaders have been caught in sex scandals, their tales of transformation lack credibility," said Besen.
"It is folly to suggest that telephone interviews can be considered genuine research. News organisations should avoid covering such a mockery of the scientific method."
Truth Wins Out has also set up respectmyresearch.org to appeal to researchers who have had their work distorted, cherry-picked or exaggerated by right wing organisations, particularly Focus on the Family to report infractions. The groups have been found to intentionally misquote legitimate scientific research to support their political aims. "In the past year alone, James C. Dobson, leader of Focus on the Family, has conflated, purposely misconstrued or cherry picked research from at least six esteemed academic scholars who have publicly condemned him for misusing their work. Sadly, the mainstream media has not held Dobson or others of his ilk accountable."
Reader's Comments
Book now......
http://www.qfilmfestival.org/
C U in Jakarta!!
On a lighter note, if all these religous right-wingers are all going to Heaven, surely no self respecting gay wold want to go there with them? If Hell is no great alternative, please let there be a gay-Heaven or something of the likes for us to go spend eternity in. Undoubtably, we'll decorate it with more than just the generic Pearly Gates and fluffy white clouds.
Besdies we'll have way better music there.....
Constant publicity-seeking & broadcasting of the same old tired 'facts' or 'research' with no fresh viewpoints other than to "overcome temptation by God's grace (no offense to Chistians, just quoting fr what they say)" would eventually bore the largely apathetic public, just wait & see- anyone remember Joseph McCarthy? It seems that they are the only ones obsessed with this issue...vanity & narcissicm??? lol
While I strongly support & commend Truth Wins Out their effort to expose those philosophies disguised as scientific facts, it would do better for them to not try & outdo the 'ex-gay' publicity machine. It's best those stuff are exposed to the hilt until it turns into over-exposure to the largely apathetic public. Besides, people are so much smarter & questioning these days, it's not likely (with an exceptional few) they wld buy whatever others tell them if it doesn't make much sense.
wat ex gay...no such nonsense
even straight men like anal sex
too bad.. there is only one heaven.. you like it or not. so we got to forgive and forget when we see the right wingers there and then. anyway there will be no more str8 and gay in heaven, and there will be peace. so don't fall into their trap and let them make you bitter. be smart, be receiving, be loving and be forgiving.
dougchew,
it sounds great but fire will separate all groups into individuals in hell, and how are you to get f*** and be f***ed by each other? -_-
Please log in to use this feature.