Link: http://www.gaywired.com/Article.cfm?Section=66&ID=22371

Once again we run in to the nurture or nature argument as it concerns itself with homosexuality. It seems the Anglican Mainstream Organization of Great Britian is holding a conference dealing with techniques to cure people of their homosexual tendencies. The belief is that homosexuality is a learned trait with some possible geneic influence. The theory maintains that if alcoholics and drug addicts can be conditioned not to give in to their desire for drugs and alcohol so too can homosexuals. Much like addiction, however, one must have a desire to abstain before he or she can be expected to give up the prediliction. A person will continue using drugs until the cost of useage (psychological and physical cost not monetary) become to high and the choice to quit becomes the path of least resistence. Until such a time one will keep indulging in the vice regardless of treatment. The only exception to this is when God chooses remove the desire for his purposes.

As for how gays and lesbians feel about this, the article speaks for itself.

Next weekend London hosts a conference advocating techniques for men and women to be cured of their homosexuality. The Anglican Mainstream Organization, a group devoted to the conservative tenets of the Church of England, is holding the event, which plans to have “a special focus on how religious professionals and friends/relatives can respond biblically and pastorally to those struggling with unwanted SSA (same-sex attraction).”

Despite scientific evidence suggesting human sexuality cannot be changed, attempts by religious groups and some therapists to de-homosexualize people continue. Shockingly, a recent study found that a sixth of Britain’s registered therapists and psychiatrists have attempted to cure patients of their homosexuality.

The conference is deemed “ideal for clergy, rabbis, psychologists, therapists, educators and others concerned about the plethora of sexual issues confronting us in today’s society, including mentoring the sexually broken, the sexualization of culture, pornography, the Bible and sex, and marriage, the family and sex.”

Notoriously anti-gay guest speakers will appear at the event, including Joseph Nicolosi, of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, and Jeffrey Satinover, who is an outspoken advocate against gay civil rights based on his belief that sexual orientation is a fiction.

Nicolosi advocates and practices reparative therapy, an attempt to rehabilitate those with unwanted homosexual feelings in order to turn them into what he deems proper, upright citizens. Often this type of treatment includes aversion (shock) therapy and other outdated techniques.