Letters
Arthur Goldberg responds:
If we cut through Avi Smolen's letter, and those of some of the other critics, the basic argument is that we at JONAH have characterized homosexuality as a disease, believe that homosexuals simply decide to be gay, that no scientific studies back up our point of view, and that it is audacious of us to be a "spokesperson for a group of which you (meaning me) are not a member".
All of those accusations are, unequivocally, false.
All of the aforementioned conclusions that have been reached about JONAH are premised, according to the letter writers, on the following: (1) "by offering to help people change their sexual orientation, [we] affirm that people can choose their sexuality"; (2) we allegedly view gay identified Jews as "second-class citizens"; and (3) we only accept "those who want to rid themselves of their homosexual identities."
The absurdity of these allegations and the fact that they are seriously put forth is part of the construct set forth in activists Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen's manifesto. Part of the strategy they advocate in their book suggests the importance of portraying opponents as evil and victimizing, even though the opposite is the case.
It is important to articulate that no scientific basis exists for the belief that homosexuality is innate, immutable, or unchangeable. Let me be perfectly clear: if someone is happy being gay, they have the freedom to continue to live a gay lifestyle or, as we often state to such dissenters, "gae gesunde heaght" (go in good health) -- and the pun is intended.
In no way do we consider gay identified Jews as second-class citizens. Indeed, we embrace them. I do not know many other organizations that accept people where they are at without giving them "a guilt trip."
Whether someone gets homosexual feelings and attractions in the first instance is the result of a complex series of risk factors: no one is born gay, a basic premise of the letters of the dissenters. All JONAH seeks to do is to provide those with "unwanted" same sex attractions the knowledge that an option to change exists and then to provide the resources that enable them to do so. To take umbrage at our free speech rights and to besmirch and denigrate us is simply not the American way. Our constitution applauds free speech, endorses the freedom to exchange ideas, and opposes viewpoint discrimination.
But those who oppose our viewpoint do not show the same respect for our freedoms. Where is their respect for the literally thousands of people who have successfully changed sexual orientation, or have gone through our programs and as a result gained a better sense of self, a stronger sense of self-worth, and enhanced self-confidence? Why are our clients assumed to simply not exist?
Inclusion and diversity works two ways: let those who oppose our program understand that many people do not desire their same sex sexual attractions and thus seek an alternative road on which to journey. Our success in providing such a path is evidenced by the many supportive letters that appeared in The Jewish State. Former strugglers and their families articulated their pain, their newfound ability to live life free of homosexual fantasy and behavior, and their right of client self-determination. How can the opponents deny these basic freedoms to such individuals and their families?
Gay activism has sacrificed truth for the cause of gay rights and such activists admit it. Read their literature. Understand how the message that homosexuality is neither inborn nor unchangeable -- a message documented by hundreds of scientific studies and authenticated by personal experience -- has largely been deliberately and effectively shut out of the consciousness of society.
Telling society that gays cannot change is just as dangerous as demonizing gays. Both extremes are untrue, unjust, and un-Jewish. JONAH's middle of the road position believes that everyone has the right to know the facts about the origins of same sex attraction and the healing strategies available. At that point, an informed and knowledgeable choice can be made about their sexual orientation.
By clever use of inventive and innuendo, our opponents seek to vilify us. We've never suggested that homosexuality is a disease or that those afflicted with homosexual feelings simply choose to have them. To state that science does not support our position is an outright misstatement. On the other hand, politically correct trade groups such as the American Psychological Association have allowed special interest groups to utilize a false science to promote political agendas -- and this was confirmed by the APA's own past president, Nicholas Cummings.
Finally, to suggest that I am an inappropriate spokesperson who does a disservice for a group to which I do not belong shows the insensitivity of the writer and his desire to separate out gays as a different species of humanity. I am a person, a member of the human race -- as is every single gay identified person. As to the truth of my comments and thus my ability to speak about it, I simply refer the reader to the numerous letters The Jewish State received from those who successfully recovered from their same sex attractions or are in the process of doing so, or the letters from the parents and friends of those dealing with the issue.
All of them not only supported the article in The Jewish State and were pleased to allow their sentiments to be printed, but more importantly, recognized that as members of the human race we are all entitled to speak the truth.