Book Review: Light in the Closet: Torah, Homosexuality, and the Power to Change

from Social Justice Review

Vol.100, No. 1-2, pp. 28-29.

By Dr. James E. Phelan.

Light in the Closet, by Arthur Goldberg, J.D., details a synthesis between traditional Judaism's view of homosexuality and what he calls "Gender Affirming Processes" (GAP), defined as the varied processes employed by the helping entities that assist those with unwanted homosexuality. Dr. Goldberg developed the term because he believes that homosexuality involves a "developmental gap". He refers to unwanted homosexuality as a "same-sex attraction (SSA) in order to make the point that it is mostly a developmental condition--one that stems from gender identity confusion--rather than being the social-political identity it has apparently become today. Indeed, he explains how people with SSA have been able to take on a co-equal civic identity (gay) by changing society's perceptions of SSA [from] simply involving acts against nature (sodomy) to a condition (homosexuality) and finally to a social-political identity (gay). These processes (GAP) are not necessarily clinical, given the fact that "life coaches", clergy and others may have facilitated the intervention. However, regardless of modality, the purpose, according to Dr. Goldberg, is to "enable . . . gender conflicted [persons] to develop an authentic, internalized sense of physiological manhood or womanhood with which they were born" (p. 1). He objects to the belief that people are born homosexual, and refutes such arguments by detailing numerous studies that imply the contrary. His belief is that homosexuality involves an "emotional adaptation" that can be ameliorated.

Drawing from his Jewish heritage and his knowledge of the Torah (Hebrew Pentateuch), the author traces 3,000 years of rabbinical understanding, premised upon the Torah's authority, to make his point that union is meant to be between one man and one woman. Anything contrary to this design is considered as having "gone astray" (To'ei attah bah). He strongly believes that while the act of homosexuality is literally translated in standard biblical language as an "abomination", in fact, the Hebrew word toeivah incorporates the concepts of forgiveness and mercy. His interpretation, backed by numerous rabbinical commentaries, is that while one may be led astray (To'ei attah bah), the one who was led astray may return to God's chosen path without recrimination. This resolution, or teshuvah, is detailed extensively within the text. He points out that teshuvah presupposes freedom of choice, and that today's homosexual politics obstruct that freedom of choice. To perform teshuvah (repentance or return), Jewish theology sets forth three "R"s: regret, rejection, and resolution. Regret deals with the past and nullifies conditioning, rejection deals with the present to change one's past activities, and resolution deals with the future and prevents the activity from coming back into the subject's life again.

The author's discussion is not limited to homosexuality. He deliberately shows how homosexuality is only one of several sexual behavioural prohibitions in the Torah (Ch. 6). He explains each sexual prohibition, including incest, adultery, bestiality, and many others. Often-neglected subjects in writings of this nature are addressed, including, for example, sexual reassignment surgery and gay parenthood. As he discusses each sexual prohibition, Dr. Goldberg explains the cultural, scientific, and biblical principles involved.

Case studies illustrate the damage caused by the prevalence of today's gay-affirmative environment. Concerning a case reported in an article in a major psychological journal, the author analyzes how the gay-affirmative therapist proudly writes in detail of his treatment of a fourteen-year-old boy for "severe internalized homophobia" (the boy expressed a profound aversion for gay activity). Although the gay-affirmative therapist reports on his four-year treatment of the boy, there is no indication in the case study that he ever informed the boy or his parents of their right to choose alternative treatment for unwanted SSA. Rather than help the patient to understand, validate, and actualize his resistance to gay feelings or fantasies, the therapist chose to utilize homosexual-affirming techniques in order to change the boy's values and sense of self so that they could be integrated with a gay group identity. The predictable result was to alleviate the client's earlier aversion to homosexual behaviour; but the therapist, who heralded this treatment as a success, nevertheless reported that several "issues" remained, such as hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness, depression, shame, and suicidal ideation that not only continued after the 'homophobia" was eliminated, but actually got worse. Dr. Goldberg questions how a therapist can believe such a case had a successful outcome when the detrimental effects were so obvious.

The author, as a good ethicist, is convinced that clients need autonomy and that gay-affirming processes are not a universal measure to be taken in dealing with a client's dimorphic dismay. Clearly, the gay agenda in western society has lately "black-boxed" any processes that might overcome same-sex attraction, even though a large body of evidence exists to show how they may ameliorate unwanted homosexuality. He writes: "Men and women struggling with [SSA] are commonly. . . denied the right. . . to various gender-reaffirming methods and therapies. . . Isolated and alone. . . they are told by the gay activists, 'You can't change'. . . Such attitudes . . . are contemptible, immoral, and potentially lethal." (Vide the introduction and back cover.) They are contemptible because they deny clients the knowledge of alternatives, and thus foreclose their independent right of determination; immoral because they contravene the law of the Torah, and potentially lethal because those converted to the homosexual "lifestyle" may instead find themselves inviting an early death. Life spans are decreased and physical and emotional harm may occur, due to the inherent risks of active homosexual activity.

Impressively, several prominent religious leaders, both Jewish and Christian, provide strong endorsements for this text. For example, the rabbinical scholar Rabbi Michel Twerski states that the manuscript reflects "an extraordinarily compelling and literate analysis of SSA and its treatment modalities." Moreover, Rabbi Twerski believes that the author 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. . . [T]he work is so important that it belongs on the desk and in the hands of every . . . [religious leader], therapist, social worker, school principal, parent, and most critically every SSA sufferer aspiring to make himself whole."

Is this a text just for Jews? Absolutely not! It is a vitally important one for everyone in our society, for individuals of any religion or none, or from any background. It is written in a language that all can understand. The teachings found in it are not just for individuals, but as Rabbi Twerski suggests, should be widely distributed in schools and other institutions. Clearly this is a reference work that is needed in every library and every religious institution worldwide. It helps to set the record straight. (The book may be ordered through the publisher's website: http://www.redheiferpress.com/.)

James E. Phelan, M.S.W., Ph.D., Columbus, Ohio

http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/37983

Crisis of Chronicles in Our Communities

by Rachel, Posted January 28, 2009

Last week's column featured an overview of Light In The Closet: Torah, Homosexuality and the Power to Change, a recently released publication by Arthur Goldberg (Red Heifer Press).

       In the interest of fair-mindedness, we present the following transcript of an interview with a (frum[religiously observant]) SSA male who congenially shares his own personal perspective of the book. (For the record, our guest has no connection, nor has ever had any contact with Mr. Goldberg or with JONAH.)

Interview 

     Rachel: What was your initial gut reaction to [the existence of] the book, before actually reading it?

    Anonymous: Frankly, I was absolutely stunned that such a book existed - especially with so much detail on every aspect of the topic. Before I even leafed through it, I wondered if it had a solution to such an impossible dilemma. I was also surprised at the size of the book. I never realized that so much could be written on the subject.

    Being well read and well versed in the topic, and a professional writer to boot, was there anything about the volume that can have actually impressed you?

     Believe me, Rachel, as a gay person, I did not want to be impressed with this book.  I was leafing through it, desperate to find material that would be laughable and ridiculous - and found nothing of the sort. I continued to leaf through it, hoping to find that the author was narrow-minded, ignorant and bigoted. That is what I was HOPING to find. Instead I found a well-researched, sensitive analysis of a subject. This book, without a doubt, will become THE definitive work on the subject of changing sexual   orientation.

    I was also impressed that the author did not insult gays. The book was not at all demeaning. In fact, there seemed to be genuine respect for gays as human beings. That's not what you would expect from what some would describe as a Bible-thumping perspective.

     Of the 500 plus pages, would you say that most, some or little held your interest?

    The entire book held my interest. The section on the causes of homosexuality was chilling. The religious prohibitions were explained in all too vivid detail. Initially, I thought the whole socialist gay agenda was a tad over the top. But the author buttresses his case with plenty of information.

     I must say, however, that he seems to be overly concerned about gays having a positive self-image. There are many out there who are quite happy with their lot, and they are not necessarily promiscuous. In some cases, they are celibate.

    Having acquainted yourself with the book by happenstance [I introduced him to my copy], would you seek to acquire it for your personal library, use, or the like?

    Yes, without question. I would like to own the book for reference purposes, and . . . there were some parts of the book that were hauntingly accurate....

    What kind of reader would be most likely, in your opinion, to benefit from the information in this manual?

    I personally believe that this book would be of great benefit to anyone, in his 20s, 30s or even 40s, who is unsure, unhappy and ill at ease with his sexual orientation.

     How do you think this publication would benefit the heterosexual reader?

     It would help to demystify the conflicted gay man or woman. It would do nothing to inform them about gays who have come to terms with their imperfections.

     It is important to add that the book will enrage many SSA individuals who will not appreciate being told that they are mentally ill and suffering from arrested development. The reason that they will be so upset is because it will ring true and they just don't want to go through the anguish of once again questioning themselves and losing the self-esteem that was so difficult to build in a hostile and unaccepting environment.

     Had this book been available for your consumption 30 odd years ago...

    I would have laughed it off. In my 20s, I often said that if there were a pill that could turn you straight in one day, I would refuse to take it. Now I feel different and more mature. Less selfish... less interested in instant gratification. I would take that pill . . . as I am starting to grieve at never having had children or grandchildren.

     What did you note, in your humble opinion, to be the most valuable aspect of Light in the Closet?

   It was the section that deals with developing a loving and intimate relationship with a male in a non-sexual context. There seems to be something so amazingly satisfying, fulfilling and comforting about that possibility.

    Anyone would agree that the author invested a tremendous amount of work and time in this painstaking project. Do you see him reaping the fruits of his labor?

     Was it worth it for the author to do all this, you ask? Yes. It will help his organization and it might make a real difference in the lives of those who don't want to be gay. But like weight loss and alcoholism, the success rate will never be what the author would like it to be.

    If you would need to describe the book in three words, which three would they be?

   Sensitive, caring and powerful.