Homosexuality: A symbolic confusion

by Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse

Book Overview

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816403031
• ISBN13: 9780816403035
• Release Date: January 1977
• Publisher: Seabury Press
• Length: 190 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.

Customer Reviews

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Homosexuality are symbolic confusion that is Fact Great Book a I Recommended For People to read this Book & This Book are great bring Good understanding homosexual condition Great Book Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse, in her now out of print book, Homosexuality: A Symbolic Confusion interpretation that has shifted the focus of the debate from symptoms to root causes. The crux of Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse argument is that 'the homosexual condition involves legitimate developmental needs, the fulfilment of which has been blocked by an underlying ambivalence to members of the same sex'. But while the argument is certainly controversial, it involves a much-needed restatement of the traditional Christian distinction between the homosexual condition and its expression in homosexual activity. The homosexual, says Dr Barnhouse , "has suffered from some deficit in the relationship with the parent of the same sex; and there is a corresponding drive to make good this deficit - through the medium of same-sex or 'homosexual' relationships". Sexual expression is not the key to homosexuality, but the inner orientation. Says Dr Barnhouse , "Homosexuality is not essentially a sexual condition..... Some people have a complete same-sex identity (heterosexuality) while others have an incomplete same-sex identity (homosexuality). The goal is the attainment of a complete same-sex identity; and, where the process of growth has been checked, the reparative drive of same-sex love is the solution to the problem of underlying deficits". Thus Christians who argue that only homosexual practices need to be discouraged or stopped are wide of the mark. It is not enough to simply stop having same-sex activities. It is the orientation that must be dealt with: "To 'stop being a homosexual' means to stop being a person with same-sex psychological deficits". If the final goal is "the attainment of a complete same-sex identity" then healing will involve dealing with the source of the problem: "Healing for the homosexual is not just a matter of meeting unmet needs, but of dealing with the barrier that blocked their fulfilment in the ordinary course of growth and can continue to prevent such fulfilment." This process can take time, "quite possibly a matter of some years". This is because "homosexuality is the kind of problem that needs to be solved through relationships," and the restoration of relationships does not occur overnight. For those who are willing to change, real and substantial change is possible: "Love, both in prayer and in relationships, is the basic therapy. A defensive detachment from the same-sex love-source, and consequent unmet needs for love, constitute the homosexual condition. Love is the basic problem, the great need, and the only true solution. If we are willing to seek and to mediate the healing and redeeming love of Christ, then healing for the homosexual will become a great and glorious reality." Bring depth understanding of reparative therapy How Homosexuality a

Great Book Homosexuality: A Symbolic Confusion

I totally disagree with "co777-200er This Book are great bring Good understanding homosexual condition Great Book Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse, in her now out of print book, Homosexuality: A Symbolic Confusion interpretation that has shifted the focus of the debate from symptoms to root causes. The crux of Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse argument is that 'the homosexual condition involves legitimate developmental needs, the fulfilment of which has been blocked by an underlying ambivalence to members of the same sex'. But while the argument is certainly controversial, it involves a much-needed restatement of the traditional Christian distinction between the homosexual condition and its expression in homosexual activity. The homosexual, says Dr Barnhouse , "has suffered from some deficit in the relationship with the parent of the same sex; and there is a corresponding drive to make good this deficit - through the medium of same-sex or 'homosexual' relationships". Sexual expression is not the key to homosexuality, but the inner orientation. Says Dr Barnhouse , "Homosexuality is not essentially a sexual condition..... Some people have a complete same-sex identity (heterosexuality) while others have an incomplete same-sex identity (homosexuality). The goal is the attainment of a complete same-sex identity; and, where the process of growth has been checked, the reparative drive of same-sex love is the solution to the problem of underlying deficits". Thus Christians who argue that only homosexual practices need to be discouraged or stopped are wide of the mark. It is not enough to simply stop having same-sex activities. It is the orientation that must be dealt with: "To 'stop being a homosexual' means to stop being a person with same-sex psychological deficits". If the final goal is "the attainment of a complete same-sex identity" then healing will involve dealing with the source of the problem: "Healing for the homosexual is not just a matter of meeting unmet needs, but of dealing with the barrier that blocked their fulfilment in the ordinary course of growth and can continue to prevent such fulfilment." This process can take time, "quite possibly a matter of some years". This is because "homosexuality is the kind of problem that needs to be solved through relationships," and the restoration of relationships does not occur overnight. For those who are willing to change, real and substantial change is possible: "Love, both in prayer and in relationships, is the basic therapy. A defensive detachment from the same-sex love-source, and consequent unmet needs for love, constitute the homosexual condition. Love is the basic problem, the great need, and the only true solution. If we are willing to seek and to mediate the healing and redeeming love of Christ, then healing for the homosexual will become a great and glorious reality." Bring depth understanding of reparative therapy How Homosexuality are Symbolic Confusion read Elizabeth Moberly's book Homosexuality: