Letters to the Editor
Homosexual Change
I was very pleased to read the articles in AT on Homosexual Change Programs: What really happens? And That Kind Can Never Change! Can They? in the January, February 2001 issue. I appreciated the kindness with which Calvin Thomsen closed his article.
I have a close friend who is homosexual and has been anointed and prayed for, but without change. He is celibate, but the Adventist church does not use his musical talents. Some members ask, “If he is not practicing why does he call himself homosexual?”
We are not frightened by a heterosexual single person, but bring in a single, celibate homosexual person and somehow our fears and prejudices overtake all our Christian principles to be accepting, kind and loving. Some are afraid that the homosexuality will “rub off on the children.” My friend has brothers and sisters with children who dearly love their uncle. There are no fears of molestation or that his sexuality will rub off on them. But outside of his family and friends, and within the church, he meets fears and prejudice.
I also know a man like Carol Swinyar wrote about. He lived a heterosexual life, then changed to a homosexual life style, and now again is heterosexual. This does not mean that others can do the same. A very small percentage of homosexuals become lasting heterosexuals. Many Christians say “nothing is impossible with God,” that might be so, but many times He chooses not to work the miracle. Paul prayed for his infirmity to be taken away and God said “no.” I long for the day when there will be more love and acceptance shown to those who are different, among us.
Ellsworth Wellman
Yakima, WA
Change Ministry
I deeply regret your editorial decision to present Calvin Thomsen’s article as a “feature” story in Adventist Today [Jan-Feb 2001]. Thomsen’s article might have been better presented as a “personal opinion” story — he is simply proffering personal opinions.
Furthermore, I believe that your decision to offer this story as a “feature” without caveats or warnings is irresponsible. Your editorial decision to offer options presented in this story as viable alternatives for standard health care and practice will endanger lives. Your editorial decision also places you outside of the accreditation and ethical standards hopefully embodied by Seventh-day Adventist institutions which train physicians, therapists, social workers, counselors, and other helping professionals.
As you know, there have been fewer than five studies of so-called “reparative therapy” (a term I find very offensive) that have allowed for independent professional peer review.... Because the specific Adventist history on this issue is so compelling with respect to the many Adventists abused by the church-supported programs of Colin Cook, this deletion by Calvin Thomsen — and you — devalues the experiences of many. Furthermore, because you are a Seventh-day Adventist pastor and are aware of this history, I find your silence complicit.…
Calvin Thomsen certainly has a right to offer a personal opinion, but his paper suggests a legitimacy to the issue that doesn’t exist and a shockingly uncritical review of the “research.” I would ask both of you to acquaint yourselves with the standards of care for gays and lesbians accepted by the helping professions. I also believe that when a personal opinion is issued beyond normative ethical standards of care, your readers deserve a fuller disclosure.
Certainly, there are isolated case reports of changes in sexual behavior. Human sexuality is not an isolated component of personal identity and there are many complicating issues. However, I would be very careful in extrapolating a handful of case reports. In the largest research study to date (a study allowing independent peer review by Shidlo and Schroeder), researchers are following 150 “reparative therapy” participants. This program will follow these participants for 10 years. After several years of follow-up, a preliminary report has been issued. 5 of the 150 have altered sexual behaviors, 0 of the 150 have altered sexual orientation.
For the sake of preventing further harm and cruelty, I feel ethically bound to share this information. I hope you share my concerns. In the meantime, may we continue to remember that the centerpiece of our lives is not sexual orientation, but rather, the support of full human dignity in a walk with Jesus. May we never jeopardize this journey for anyone — gay or straight.
Ben Kemena, MD
Denver, Colorado
Charismatics
I appreciate Dr. Ford’s objective discussion and evaluation of the charismatic movement [AT Nov-Dec 2000]. I would agree with much of what he says. I have personally been blessed by certain aspects of the charismatics, e.g., the emphasis on praise and worship. About 20 years ago I received the experience of praying in unknown tongues in the quietness of my own private worship time and it has meant to me a way of praising God when words simply fail. This experience opened up new doors of knowing God for me, and several of my friends noticed a difference in me after I received this blessing from God. I think that the contemporary praise and worship music that is solidly based on scripture has been one of the greatest of all gifts that the charismatic/pentecostal movement has given to the Christian movement. Practically all denominations, including the SDAs, benefit by this new spirit of worshipping God with more freedom and joy. I agree with Dr. Ford that there are indeed excesses in the charismatic movement but that it has made some permanent contributions to the body of Christ that have influenced the lives of untold millions for good.
Thomas E. Durst
Via the Internet
Denominationalism
I appreciated the tone of [McLarty’s] article [“Why Bother With the Denomination?” AT May-June 2000] and it was well written. I can sense a need to connect the gospel of Jesus Christ with the moral code of heaven and give our people more of the reasons for being a Seventh-day Adventist. . . This article should be sent to all pastors.
Frank Hill
Via the Internet
Conservatives, Liberals and Plagiarism
Thank you, sir, for such an important article. While I am still not in understanding of the philosophical balance trying to be achieved, I do appreciate what the academic problem represents. Also, I understand the pressures placed upon a conservative in a liberal environment.
Apparently, our teacher in this case has been fired for his policy on plagiarism. His policy is nothing new to academia, and it is like that which many other institutions follow. Plagiarism can destroy credibility in one’s work, and students need to know that their actions have consequences. In the working world, plagiarism is frowned upon even more.
Our schools must protect their intellectual integrity if they wish seriously to be taken by the rest of the academic world. Why, Adventist administrators ask, are we not ranked highly? It is because intellectual honesty is lacking in such areas. Also, I understand the pressure of the conservative in the liberal world. He must contend against many who would call him ignorant or be threatened by his forthrightness and logic which counters theirs. Tolerance is extended to all, but not to the conservative, because he is, by their definition, intolerant.
A university which stifles dissent and does nothing to stem the tide of plagiarism in a serious way will not succeed. It will have turmoil. The result which WWC sees should be expected by them.
Gerhand Lieberschidt
Via the Internet
Turmoil at Walla Walla
I believe that the sensationalistic language of the article hurts the credibility of Adventist Today’s reporting and significantly tilts the bias of the article toward Jensen. An example: “[the history department] unleash a torrent of extracurricular accusations against Jensen with all the fury of a human scorned...” The rich use of loaded words here and analysis mixed with factual reporting tends to skew the report. The rest of the article is rich with other examples, but it’s late and I don’t feel like posting them all.
Most people will see this as a “news” article because of its general tone and might not make the distinction between the author’s own opinions on the issue and the objective facts he is reporting. If you think I’m full of bunk, tell me so, but it seems to me that this article really should have spent a bit more time in the editing phase.
Ted Swinyar
Via the Internet
WWC NOT at “War”
I am truly saddened by the article regarding Walla Walla College. I feel that the author slanted the information—definitely. I have made several phone calls to the college and truly, there maybe some unhappy people, as is always the occasion. But “Turf Wars and Turmoil “ Far from the truth! I just returned from an Alumni meeting with representatives of the Administration and Alumni and there is no War and Turmoil! Sensational journalism—that is what the author of this article was looking to create.
I feel that Adventists Today to maintain its reputation of honesty and fairness to its readers should disclose the fact that the author of the article, Dennis Hokama, is also a friend of the professor in question’s wife, and that they both attended the same Japanese church in Los Angeles. That tells me a lot about how the article could have started and was slanted in favor of the professor.
The College is within their legal rights to not retain faculty any time during the first three years—for whatever reason. The college admin-istration decision is not cause for “War” as you have portrayed the situation. SAD SAD journalism.
Dorothy Patchett
Former Walla Walla College Board Member for 14 years.
Via the Internet
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