Book shows homosexuals can be reclaimed
Book review: Light in the Closet, Torah, Homosexuality, and the Power to Change
A new book, Light in the Closet, Torah, Homosexuality, and the Power to Change by Arthur Goldberg, scheduled for release on October 23 by Red Heifer Press (www.redheiferpress.com), is creating buzz in the community. The book breaks new ground. It explains the harmony of the psychological healing for homosexuality with the classic teachings of Judaism, with an emphasis on Torah (a/k/a Old Testament or Hebrew Bible) sources. The book works through three millennia of discussion on sexuality issues from the Torah to contemporary rabbinical commentary.
Written in an engaging and accessible style for the layman, the book also examines many aspects of the homosexual issue as well as other sexuality issues within our culture, both from a biblical perspective and a secular and scientific point of view.
This fascinating book also explodes the “gay gene” mystique and describes the deliberate strategy of gay activists and their allies to culturally sensitize western society to the subject matter so that a large portion of society now seeks to normalize a behavior clearly forbidden by the Bible. This well-documented eye-opening manuscript explains, for example, how the gay activists have carried the homosexual agenda into the public school systems, the extent of state-sanctioned disinformation and censorship, and the socialist origins of gay anti-religionism.
Light in the Closet also explains many other sexual prohibitions of the Bible including, including for example, rarely seen discussions on how sexual reassignment surgery, bestiality, and sexual abuse of children violate specific biblical provisions. The current contentious issue of same-sex marriage within western society is explored, as is the question of gay parenting. The push to legitimize both of these situations within secular western societies makes this book particularly relevant. The numerous testimonials, both of those who have changed and those who were led astray either through gay affirmative psychology or by the cultural climate provide an insight rarely seen in books of this nature.
The purpose of entitling the book Light in the Closet is to provide a message of hope and healing for those with unwanted same sex attractions and as a contrast to those who advocate or accept the solution of “coming out of the closet” and to embrace the gay lifestyle.
More than a dozen experts in the field, including mental health professionals, prominent rabbis, and Christian leaders have reviewed the galley proof and have written rave reviews. For example, Dr. Jeffrey Satinover, a noted psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, states, in part, “Arthur Goldberg has written a brilliant, compassionate and remarkably compelling book. I consider it among the best–maybe the best–ever written on the subject not just of homosexuality but of the capacity for human change of heart…” (He himself is the author of a book on the subject in 1996 entitled Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth.)
And Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, President of NARTH for 10 years, and the author of several books in the area says, in part, “Arthur Goldberg’s sweeping and scholarly survey investigates the social, political, spiritual, medical and personal aspects of same-sex attraction. Written with both compassion and hard-hitting truth, this book unifies the wisdom of the Torah with modern psychology, and in so doing, reveals timeless truths about the human condition.”
Several prominent religious leaders, both Jewish and Christian, likewise provide strong endorsements. For example, a leading rabbinical scholar, Rabbi Michel Twerski states, that the manuscript reflects an “extraordinarily compelling and literate analysis of SSA and its treatment modalities. He comments that the author, Arthur Goldberg, proves himself “a worthy heir to the mantle of the patriarch Abraham, who dared to speak the truth in a generation inflamed with idolatry and its twisted presentations of morality.” Christian leaders have been no less generous in their praise. Reverend Jeff Winter, Chairman of OnebyOne and Pastor, Faith Community Church of Martha’s Vineyard, states, “No person who is concerned about the growing acceptance of homosexuality can afford to ignore this book. Goldberg’s razor-sharp logic and exhaustive Old Testament research will make this book a crucial voice in the contemporary debate on homosexuality.”
Those interested in ordering the book can do so by emailing the publisher at editor@redheiferpress.com. The cover art can be seen on the publisher’s website, www.redheiferpress.com. Discounts are available for group orders.
The author may be contacted at info@jonahweb.org.
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September 29th, 2008 at 8:28 am
This is one of the most impressive absurd I have read in a long time. Homosexuality isn’t a disease, it does not kill, it does not degenerate your body, and it is not contagious. Homosexuality is noticed at a very early age in children (the purest stage in human life) – stop looking for answers in psychology books and ask the homosexuals themselves. They will all agree with me. At least the honest ones.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Hello Heitor,
Not sure what an “impressive absurd” is(?). Homosexuality, defined as an attraction for the same sex, is perfectly harmless. homosexuality when put into ACTION has side effects. About 70% of AIDS cases in the US are ACTIVE homosexual males. Of course, you may argue that that is a coincidence? You sound like the kind of person who would say anything to make an argument, so go ahead, make my day.
Doctors also report a much higher incidence of anal disease among practicing male homosexuals. And the mental anguish and other emotional torment associated with homosexuality are documented (Google it).
But that isn’t even the worst of it. When you legally recognize homosexual “marriage,” you put into motion a scheme by which homosexuals can marry and adopt children. Bringing up children with either no father or no mother is child abuse. No sane human being would ask to spend his/her whole life wondering who their biological father or mother is. Be honest: you would not want to have been brought up with that handicap, now would you? There, I thought so.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I am very sorry you seem to have missed my point. I am a lucid person, who analyses and studies everything carefully before making wrong assumptions. I am not the “kind of person who would say anything to make an argument.” My opinion was addressed only to the idea that homosexuality can be cured. I do not support promiscuity, pedophilia, or anything that is indeed harmful to society. I do not even support the majority of people in the gay community, who seem to have no common-sense when deciding what is right and wrong about the subject. But I do not think that condemning someone to live a life of solitude, forbid them to adopt a child who needs someone to love and be loved is the most humanitarian thing to do. What the world needs is more flexibility and common sense (and hence more rules). I disagree with same-sex marriage with any religious support (why would you want the blessing of a community that abominates you, no matter who you are and how good to society you have been?). But to deny two people who love each other with the same NATURE of passion as described in any literature of any nation, of any credo, the right to have a happy steady life under the eyes of the law (I am talking about Civil Unions), seems to me one of the most cruel things one can think of. I have met too many people who were separated from their family because of intolerance, sons and daughters departing America because they could not bring their foreign beloved ones to live with them. Children who grew up in fear because of their sexuality, kids who had a miserable childhood because their friends and colleagues had no understanding of what being a homosexual really means. And yes, there is AIDS, there are sexually transmitted diseases, there are divorces among homosexuals who got married in countries who recognize their relationship. But to take those numbers as evidence that any homosexual will be evil and to act in favor of ruining someone’s life just because you BELIEVE they are wrong? Now answering your question: “No sane human being would ask to spend his/her whole life wondering who their biological father or mother is. Be honest: you would not want to have been brought up with that handicap, now would you? There, I thought so.” You thought so? I haven’t said anything yet. If I could choose between being raised by a single non-biological father or mother who loved, understood, and respected me for who I am, and a solid Christian family who tried everything possible to change my nature, and after realizing they failed (even though I NEVER failed with my obligation to be a good son), just preferred to ignore and abandon me in favor of their religious beliefs – then, I am sorry, but I have to admit that I would be very happy to have never met any of my biological parents. I have wonderful friends with common-sense. Those are the people who I think are entitled to help and lead me to a better life.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Heitor,
Here is why I can’t sympathize with your side:
If a Christian says he disagrees with homosexuality in Europe or Canada, he can be arrested or made to pay a huge fine. YOUR side is politically correct and has the liberal media, municipal police forces, universities and even mainstream churches on their side. Tradtional people are the people whose viewpoint is no longer tolerated and I take their side. I just do. I know some are not tolerant enough. But your side is worse. A man in Massachusetts was arrested at a school board meeting because he objected that his 5 year old boy was being indoctrinated in kindergarten by people who were telling him it is fine for children to engage in homosexual behavior if they wish. Maybe that doesn’t bother you. I have a major problem with it. This man was led away in handcuffs and the school board slapped him with a restraining order. He can no longer come within several yards of his son’s school I will never give up in my battle against that. Personally, I have met and befriended a few homosexuals at work and also one who used to mow my lawn. After being around them I realized that they thought they were above the law. One told me he had had sex with a minor student of his and the other once made a remark about my infant son being attractive to him. He thought it was funny. I didn’t. they are both morons and if I ever had caught them at anything with a minor it would have been too bad for them! Look, I probably would not do what your parents did to you. They should love you despite your same-sex attraction. But you should love them too. It seems like you are the bitter one here. Get over it. We traditional people are not going away either.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Oh, I love my parents – you have no idea how much. I wish I could teach them how to return my calls. I am not bitter. I am a very happy chappy. To clarify, I am not the liberal you mentioned. Please do not label me as one of those. I just think you are fighting non-sense liberal freaks (indeed most of them are)with the wrong tools. Maybe one day justice will be really fair, and we both will be happier.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Heitor,
Now I really do feel bad for you, even though I think you may have made some major mistakes here, although I don’t know how you behaved in front of your parents, so I don’t know. Maybe they are to blame in large part. Look, fellow: try to think of all the things you did or said to them. One mistake a lot of homosexuals make is being too in-your-face with their family, sort of challenging them to accept you for what you are. You need to understand that for your parents, you are the son they always thought would have grandchildren for them. Maybe you were the only son, not sure, but if you are, then for gosh sake, try to understand the heartache of 2 parents who will never have grandkids, not because their son is sick or disabled, but because he, a perfectly healthy specimen, with a perfectly functional God-given reproductive system just like his dad’s, has chosen, of his own volition, to have a male “lover.” (Sorry, I can’t write it without quotes. It just isn’t right). I wonder if you have had any experiences in your early developing years that caused you to be homosexual. Several commonly occurring causes are possible for this disorder. PLEASE, I know it is hard to hear people call it a disorder, but it is. I don’t hate you. In fact, my
Commander-in-Chief says I am to love you and I do, without any reservations. But let us not pretend that your behavior is normal,ok? Let’s start there and then take it a step further next time, ok?
I wish you all the best and am not trying to be flippant here. I hope I did not come off that way. Let me be absolutely clear: I can accept you as a person, but I cannot accept your behavior. In fact, I cannot accept some of my own heterosexual behavior at times. But I know when I am doing wrong. You, however, are denying your own bad behavior.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Hector Menezes suggests that he objects to the idea that homosexuality can be cured. Such a statement typifies the constant barrage of media bias that leads one to such a belief. In actual fact, not one of the researchers commonly cited by the gay activists and their liberal allies have reported anything close to proving the genetic origins of sexual orientation. The studies they commonly cited are all done by gay activists and have never been replicated. For example, there are studies of identical twins done by the gay activists that actually supports the opposite of what the activists contend it says. Those studies prove the lack of genetics. In truth, if one twin is gay and if it is genetic, it would be assumed that the concordance rate would be 100%. However, the twin’s studies by Michael Bailey show a high of 52% and a low of 7% as the rate where both twins are gay. A far cry from 100%. There are a myriad number of case studies showing how individuals have transformed themselves from gay to straight. For those interested, there is significant data in the book Light in the Closet on these very topics as well as an in depth discussion of cultural issues and biblical principles.