Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 192 pages
- Published by: Brazos Press November 1, 2004
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 1587431211
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-1587431210
-
Book Dimensions:
8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
- Weighs: 8 ounces
From Booklist
Gays who claim to have changed their sexual orientation get no respect, according to Thompson, who makes this point only at the conclusion of this great book of counsel and personal testimony, and then only to urge that they come out about their wish to change just as they came out about being gay. Before then, he parcels out his own story of turning away from homosexuality as he urges Christians to love gays by fighting antigay discrimination, bigotry, and violence, and, most important, by opening the church and their arms to them. He means the latter literally, for he is convinced that lack of nonerotic same-sex physical affection is a major factor in developing homosexuality, and that practice with it--hugging--is crucial to short-circuit and prevent homoeroticism. As the book proceeds, Thompson tells ever more of his own story, and with it much about psychologist Joseph Nicolosi's controversial reparative therapy for homosexuality. Doing so, he clarifies and strengthens his overall message of love without strings even as he defends reparative therapy.
Ray OlsonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Product Description
Chances are you know someone who is gay--a coworker, family member, or friend. And chances are, as a Christian, you're not exactly sure how to relate to this person. While the church has been pretty good at "hating the sin," it hasn't really known how to "love the sinner" without fear of condoning a homosexual lifestyle. Chad Thompson, a man who has struggled with homosexual feelings, argues that "homosexuality requirements to be solved through relationships." Drawing from the life and words of Jesus, Thompson gives readers permission to love and befriend homosexuals before they change--and radically, even if they never change--their sexual orientation. This candid book includes an appendix of additional resources. It will be a valuable tool for pastors, teachers, counselors, and any Christian who knows someone who is gay.
Reader ReviewsThis book taught me things I did not know at all. I did not know or had never heard of ex-gay until I read this book. The author calls a person who wants to be heterosexual, a "struggler." I like that name. The book, however, is written realistically. It states that the change from gay to ex-gay is harder if the struggler has already engaged in actual sexual activities instead of mere thoughts. I did not know that pre-gay had a hard time being accepted by LGBT public. I also did not know that "homosexual gene" was an unconfirmed statement. I did not know that it was possible for a gay to become a ex-gay. I did not know that there are a group of people who believe that most homosexual feelings are strongly related to the relationships with caretakers while growing up. I appreciate the way the author expect those who do not want to change the way they are and accept them the way they are instead of trying to convince them to become ex-gay. Though I know of the teaching of Christ, I do not call myself a Christian. With that being said, the book was still informative to me. If I were to be a Christian I would have been able to relate to the religious content of the book, but I did my best to understand it. The focus of this book is not to convince something. The focus of this book is unconditional love and useful support in case someone wants to come out of homosexual feelings and also information to those who do not want to change so they can understand what ex-gay is all about. I am heterosexual, but I enjoyed this book, leaning things I did not know. Though the author is very religious, I did not feel the pushiness I often feel from other books by religious authors. I recommend this book to anyone with any sexual orientation, any religious background, and any vocation.
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