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Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth
A Christian psychiatrist examines the latest research, refuting the alleged genetic basis for homosexuality and assessing the social power homosexuals have gained.
282 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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December 9, 2008Zero stars for this crappily researched garbage that takes the word "truth" and makes a complete mockery of it. Satinover is a right wing tool. don't waste your time unless you want to read what neocon idiots are reading.
September 8, 2008
This book was recommended to me by a professor. When discussing what to do about the possibility of being required to teach that a homosexual lifestyle is a healthy and equally good lifestyle choice, he said that as a Christian teacher saying you don't want to teach that becuase of religion, morals, values, etc., would never hold up. He said that this book discusses the research on the physical and mental effects of a homosexual lifestyle and how it is harmful and on that basis and being able to quote research- administrators would at least listen to me. I've only read a few pages, but already I am impressed.
October 23, 2008
Hard-hitting, eye-opening book full of detailed, grounded facts about the realities of male homosexuality and how the activist's political agenda is hurting all of us. Written by an Psychiatrist, M.D.
The amazing thing is that this book, written about 12 years ago (and based on 20 years of research) describes clearly what is happening TODAY!
Pulls no punches.
The amazing thing is that this book, written about 12 years ago (and based on 20 years of research) describes clearly what is happening TODAY!
Pulls no punches.
May 9, 2013
Satinover, an accomplished medical researcher, gives very reasonable causes for homosexuality. He is also exposes how the Gay Movement has bullied itself into the position it now holds and suppresses scientific inquiry. This book no longer would be considered politically correct, but it speaks the truth
June 3, 2011
Whilst I do not agree with the conclusions Satinover may make, and draw from his evidence, this was a very interesting read. I highly recommend that any who dare to flick through the pages be completely objective when taking in what Satinover has to say. At the same time it is imperative that one understands the intense opinion and subjectiveness that underlies the writing of this book. I do not believe the uneducated or misinformed should read this novel without first understanding that evidence can be found in many places, for many causes, in almost all areas. Satinover was clever to word many things as he did and could have easily persuaded many people if this novel were not addressing religious issues also (as much as I admire the attempt, a secular nation will not tolerate it). If anything the beginning of chapter 15 'Putting the Pieces Together' was an interesting exploration into a hypothetical series of events leading to homosexuality. I admire the position that both choice, early childhood, and birth factors come together to cause this; but I do not agree that one can label homosexuality an 'illness'.
Want to Read
September 17, 2007Political correctness be damned. I've wanted to learn more about the ferociosly contentious landscape of homosexuality's erasure from the DSM in the late 1970s and why so much research (on both sides of the issue) are hidden from public view.
June 1, 2014
Parascientific and homophobic gobberish.
August 19, 2024
AN EVANGELICAL PSYCHIATRIST LOOKS AT RECENT RESEARCH
Psychiatrist Jeffrey Satinover wrote in the Introduction to this 1996 book, "the deep complexity of the scientific research into homosexuality is easy for people to misinterpret and easier still to misuse. To disentangle this confusion and form solid principles by which to reach responsible conclusions requires effort...
"In the end the debate over homosexual behavior and its implications for public policy can only be decided conclusively on moral grounds, and moral grounds will ultimately mean religious grounds... We must make a choice: Shall we determine good and evil for ourselves...or shall we stand on a word outside ourselves, a word from the one between whose first word of creation and last word of judgment we live our fleeting lives?" (Pg. 27-28) He states, "My purpose... is to warn against the general lifting of sexual constraint, which the philosophy that undergirds gay activism necessarily promotes." (Pg. 62-63)
He notes, "the twin studies failed to demonstrate genetic causation... Although an early recollection of `being different' is thus common among homosexuals, the evidence suggests that this sense of difference is in fact NOT something genetic." (Pg. 87)
He criticizes the famous study by Dean Hamer [purporting to show a genetic basis for homosexuality], "the Hamer study is seriously flawed. Four months after its publication in Science, a critical commentary appeared in the same publication. It took issue with the many assumptions and questionable use of statistics the underlie Hamer's conclusions...Although Hamer later issued a disclaimer/caution in the pages of Science (Pg. 111), Satinover comments, "Needless to say, none of the disclaimers were given equal time in the press as the original overblown claims... There was no fanfare this time on National Public Radio." (Pg. 113) He summarizes, "for all the public fanfare, science has accomplished almost nothing we did not know from common sense: One's character traits are in part innate but are subject to modification by experience and choice." (Pg. 117)
He states, "Secular psychology is far more effective in helping homosexuals to change than most people think and many nonprofessionals would like us to know---or know themselves. Nonetheless, even among those professionals who understand that homosexual change is possible. There is too little appreciation for either the spiritual dimension of homosexuality or for the spiritual dimension of its `cure.'" (Pg. 196)
He concludes, "Each individual's homosexuality is the likely result of a complex mixture of genetic, intrauterine, and extrauterine biological factors combined with familial and social factors as well as repeatedly reinforced choices... The role of genetic influence is small, and in any event means very little in terms of compelling an individual to become homosexual... Homosexual behavior is difficult to modify because, like other forms of compulsive behavior, it involves innate impulses and reinforced choices by which sinful activities become embedded in the brain... Because deeply ingrained behaviors are too difficult to modify, homosexuals, like all people, have two choices: to capitulate to the behavior and its consequences or to depend on others, and on God, for help...Secular programs that modify homosexual behavior are more numerous and more effective than popular opinion is led to believe... Spiritual programs that lead people into dependency on God, and support them there, are even more effective. The best of these integrate into their spiritual approach the best that is offered by the secular approaches as well." (Pg. 245-246)
This is an excellent overview of recent research from an evangelical Christian perspective.
Psychiatrist Jeffrey Satinover wrote in the Introduction to this 1996 book, "the deep complexity of the scientific research into homosexuality is easy for people to misinterpret and easier still to misuse. To disentangle this confusion and form solid principles by which to reach responsible conclusions requires effort...
"In the end the debate over homosexual behavior and its implications for public policy can only be decided conclusively on moral grounds, and moral grounds will ultimately mean religious grounds... We must make a choice: Shall we determine good and evil for ourselves...or shall we stand on a word outside ourselves, a word from the one between whose first word of creation and last word of judgment we live our fleeting lives?" (Pg. 27-28) He states, "My purpose... is to warn against the general lifting of sexual constraint, which the philosophy that undergirds gay activism necessarily promotes." (Pg. 62-63)
He notes, "the twin studies failed to demonstrate genetic causation... Although an early recollection of `being different' is thus common among homosexuals, the evidence suggests that this sense of difference is in fact NOT something genetic." (Pg. 87)
He criticizes the famous study by Dean Hamer [purporting to show a genetic basis for homosexuality], "the Hamer study is seriously flawed. Four months after its publication in Science, a critical commentary appeared in the same publication. It took issue with the many assumptions and questionable use of statistics the underlie Hamer's conclusions...Although Hamer later issued a disclaimer/caution in the pages of Science (Pg. 111), Satinover comments, "Needless to say, none of the disclaimers were given equal time in the press as the original overblown claims... There was no fanfare this time on National Public Radio." (Pg. 113) He summarizes, "for all the public fanfare, science has accomplished almost nothing we did not know from common sense: One's character traits are in part innate but are subject to modification by experience and choice." (Pg. 117)
He states, "Secular psychology is far more effective in helping homosexuals to change than most people think and many nonprofessionals would like us to know---or know themselves. Nonetheless, even among those professionals who understand that homosexual change is possible. There is too little appreciation for either the spiritual dimension of homosexuality or for the spiritual dimension of its `cure.'" (Pg. 196)
He concludes, "Each individual's homosexuality is the likely result of a complex mixture of genetic, intrauterine, and extrauterine biological factors combined with familial and social factors as well as repeatedly reinforced choices... The role of genetic influence is small, and in any event means very little in terms of compelling an individual to become homosexual... Homosexual behavior is difficult to modify because, like other forms of compulsive behavior, it involves innate impulses and reinforced choices by which sinful activities become embedded in the brain... Because deeply ingrained behaviors are too difficult to modify, homosexuals, like all people, have two choices: to capitulate to the behavior and its consequences or to depend on others, and on God, for help...Secular programs that modify homosexual behavior are more numerous and more effective than popular opinion is led to believe... Spiritual programs that lead people into dependency on God, and support them there, are even more effective. The best of these integrate into their spiritual approach the best that is offered by the secular approaches as well." (Pg. 245-246)
This is an excellent overview of recent research from an evangelical Christian perspective.
July 16, 2022
Satinover respects the complexity of the issues and offers good insights that will aid in understanding. Fair, balanced and well informed, this book is well worth the time spent with it.
May 25, 2020
Pure religious pseudoscience. I say that as someone who is very familiar with all of the research. Jeffrey Satinover is so blatantly a guy with 'gay face' and it really shows when you google images for him. That's because homosexuality begins in the womb. I find it amusing how Satinover blatantly ignores all the cases of boys who were surgically reassigned as girls at birth, and were forcibly reared as girls... they didn't end up attracted to men. His claims are PSEUDO-intellectual at best. If you wanted a real expert you'd listen to J. Michael Bailey and not this religious nut.
September 8, 2011
Very good, fully orbed look at the causes and treatment of homosexuality by a psychiatrist. A lot of food for thought in here as he looks at history and science and the push to legitimize homosexuality in our country. The last chapter "The Pagan Revolution" was a fantastic analysis of just what is going on in our culture and how it stacks up to the pagan religions of the Old and New Testaments.
February 15, 2009
An absolute must read for anyone interested in this hot button issue.
March 15, 2014
An overview of the topic of homosexuality from a medical doctor.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews