Rating: 
Summary: A resource for responding to media pronouncement of "facts".
Review: The technical data presented in this book warrants my reading it again. The arguments regarding the interurterine, twin studies, and genetic effects were concise but difficult to understand which is why I'll be reading it again. The one argument that hit home most with me is if it's not an "illness" would the consequences of this behavior still warrant people participating in it. The answer is a resounding NO. Which is the greater chore: to eliminate the consequences or to eliminate the behavior? I rated the book an 8 just because I don't believe there is such thing as a 10 and because I would have liked to have seen more testimonials from cured homosexuals.
Rating: 
Summary: "I was born that way," just won't work anymore.
Review: Anyone who might be thinking that homosexual people are born gay had better read Dr. Satinover's book. An M.D. and a board certified psychoanalyst, Jeffrey Satinover gives thorough treatment to one of the most hotly debated issues of our time. He challenges the modern idea that there is a "gay gene" that some are born with that makes him or her gay. Instead, he argues that homosexuality is a sinful habit that can and must be broken. Not only so, but he also shows how homosexuality is NOT acceptable Biblically. This is an excellent book, and must be read.
Rating:
Summary: Incisive uncovering of a societal-size cover-up of the facts
Review: Dr. Satinover articulately and thoroughly addresses homosexuality with a balance of scientific clarity and compassion. For anyone who wants to understand this issue in depth, his book is a must.
Rating: 
Summary: "BEST BOOK ON HOMOSEXUALITY IN OUR LIFETIME"-Hon. Robt K. Dornan. What others are saying about HOMOSEXUALITY A
Review: "Mr. Speaker, this is about the best book on homosexuality written in our lifetime. It should be read from sea to shining sea. Read. Learn. And pray"--Hon. Robert K. Dornan on the floor of the US House of Representatives, May 9-10, 1996
EPISCOPAL "A magnificent and eloquent case for the power of the human will. Brilliant. His committment to truth rings out on every page. A 'garment without seam' and a major step forward in understanding homosexuality and change." Alan Medinger, President, Refeneration Ministries
JEWISH: "A brilliant discussion of how our society's changed attitude toward homosexuality is rooted in our abandoning the Judeo-Christian ethic for a modern form of paganism. He allows us to see that God's desire for us to avoid sin is not the harsh command of a mean master but the Fatherly desire that his children do what is in their long-term best interests. Elegantly packaging science, Christianity and Judasim, Dr. Satinover creates a complete and sound argument without in any way watering down each respective system of thought. That one person could have written a volume containing such incisive analysis from such different disciplines is testimony to the author's wisdom and versatility." Yarden Weidenfeld, Executive Director, Toward Tradition
SCIENTIFIC: "Dr. Satinover convincingly argues that the growing acceptance of 'alternative sexual lifestyles' is not a function of convincing scientific evidence or compelling moral argumentation. His analysis needs to be heard and heeded today." Stanton Jones, PhD, Chairman, Department of Psychology and Provost, Wheaton College
SCIENTIFIC: "Courageous, clear and practical. I've lent it out to colleagues already." John R. Petett, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University
CATHOLIC: "Reduces to rubble the arguments of [activist/scientists such as] LeVay and Hamer" E. Michael Jones, Editor, Culture Wars
EVANGELICAL: "Drawing richly from his scientificunderstanding and spiritual experience, Dr. Satinover has written a penetrating, provocative and, above all, redemptive study. A rare thing: grace and truth gathered together in one place. Needs to be read." Lawrence F. Burtoft, PhD, Public Policy Division, Focus on the Family
CATHOLIC: "No one has stated more eloquently the current cultural conflict." Fr. John Harvey, Director, Courage Ministries
MEDICAL: "By far the best, most comprehensive, most balanced and incisive treatment of the subject I have yet seen. A work of grace and truth." Roger Sider, MD, Medical Director, Pine Rest Hospital
CATHOLIC: "Anyone not in agreement doesn't belong on the committee [to formulate policy regarding homosexuality]" Barbara Vitucci, citing Archbishop of Vienna Christoph Schoenborn on Dr. Satinover's analysis
SCIENTIFIC: "Rigorous scientific scholarship and clear, passionate prose unite to make this book a rarity in our times." Joseph Nicolosi, PhD, President, National Association for the Research and Treatment of Homosexuality
JEWISH: "A definitive handbook that should be read by every concerned parent, teacher, counselor, minister, Priest or Rabbi - as well as by anyone who, for purely political reasons has been misled into thinking that there is no way out." Rabbi Daniel Lapin
EPISCOPAL: "Equally at home in genetics and psychology, Jewish and Christian teaching, Dr. Satinover demonstrates that the ancient Biblical viewpoint is astonishingly congruent with what modern science has learned about compulsion and its cure." Fr. Peter Toon, President, Prayer Book Society of the Episcopal Church
CATHOLIC: "The most insightful explanation of the revival of paganism in our time this reporter has ever read." Paul Likoudis, The Wanderer, April 18, 1996
Rating:
Summary: The truth, not the propaganda
Review: I agree with the Congressional Record's rating of this book as "The best book on homosexuality written in our lifetime...", and I have studied the subject,having worked in the San Francisco Bay Area as an RN, and researcher at Stanford University. Sadly, I think we can safely assume anyone who dismisses this book as "junk science" simply does not want the truth about homosexuality to be known. As another reviewer pointed out, the science is a major strong point of the book. Dr. Satinover is highly qualified to deal with this topic. He is a graduate of Harvard, MIT, University of Texas, and a former lecturer at Yale. He is a board certified MD in the private practice of psychiatry for over twenty years with extensive work with homosexuals. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Yale Symour L. Lustman Research award,and past William James lecturer in Psychology and Religion at Harvard, among other qualifications. Gay activists, since the 60's, have waged a relentless public relations campaign to convince Americans that they should overturn 4,000 years of Judeo-Christian moral standards that condemn homosexuality as unhealthy, a sin, and perversion of God's design. The activist's goals (and they are spelled out in such handbooks as "After the Ball, by Kirk and Madsen, 1989),are to convince the public that homosexuality is normal, innate or inherited, and irreversible; therefore gays are not subject to moral choice. Dr. Satinover analyses the extensive evidence to address these claims. Is homosexuality "normal?" Read the facts and decide for yourself. When you compare homosexual patterns with heterosexual patterns, it becomes clear that homosexuality is an addiction, as lethal or more so than alcoholism or drug addiction. Homosexuals have an average of 50 lifetime partners compared to heterosexuals who have an average of 4. One study found that 43% of male homosexuals estimated having sex with 500 or more different partners, and 28% estimated having sex with 1000 more partners. Less than 2% of homosexuals are monogamous, compared to 83% of heterosexuals. 95% of male homosexuals engage in anal intercourse. Even if condoms are used, male heterosexuals are highly vulnerable to a long list of diseases, including Hepatitis B,C, Giardia lamblia infection (Gay Bowel Syndrome), and many others. Dr. Satinover describes the physiology and explains why the life expectancy of typical homosexuals is reduced by a dramatic 30%. Is it innate or inherited? Dr. Satinover clarifies the studies grossly misinterpreted by the press to suggest a genetic cause for homosexuality. If it were genetic, then it would be impossible to recover one's heterosexuality, but clearly this is not the case. Research on biological influences on behavior reveals that homosexuality is highly similar to alcoholism in its characteristic features. There are biological influences, but no one is "caused" by their genes to be an alcoholic, nor a homosexual. Dr. Satinover discusses the "nature-nurture" debate and makes this complex subject understandable to professionals and lay people. Is it irreversible? The fact that there are thousands of individuals (20,000 by one estimate) that have freed themselves of same sex attractions to become functioning heterosexuals proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that homosexuality is indeed reversible. However, Dr. Satinover explains how, as in other physically addicting habits, sometimes the habit becomes so ingrained in the individual's constitution that it triumphs over any will that the person might have had to overcome it. Change takes a high level of motivation and usually God's help in the form of Twelve Step Programs or religious ministries, although secular treatments are also more successful than generally credited. In addition to an excellent review and assessment of the scientific facts about homosexuality, this book is an illuminating discussion of the moral,philosophical and religious implications for our society as well. As he points out, public policy must be based on objective facts and sound moral judgments. Moral judgements must be informed by our religious beliefs, as science can only tell us what is, but not what should be. Dr. Satinover discusses psychiatry's inadequacies in dealing with moral questions. It seeks material "causes" for human behavior, therefore engaging in a dehumanizing reductionism. Man happens to be a moral being however. Psychiatry doesn't know how to deal with syndromes like alcoholism, narcissism, neurosis, homosexuality and others except as "illnesses," but these syndromes have decided moral dimensions. Dr. Satinover has spelled out the solid, rational reasons why we should be compassionate of individuals struggling with this profound problem, yet hold fast to public policies that discourage this destructive compulsion. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Problematic for many reasons
Review: If there is no "(...) gene", then there is no "straight gene", either, which eradicates any argument for "natural" (inborn or genetic) (...) orientation. In fact, orientation is probably MOSTLY genetic but influenced by environmental factors as well. Can people change? Maybe, and Satinover provides evidence that at least a superficial change is possible. Should they? I'm not convinced. Not all (...) people are (...) addicts (remember that a third of heterosexuals in Africa are HIV positive). We can be "conditioned" to be just about anything: so what? What are the reasons for even wanting to change? Pressure from parents/society? We can all impose a different way of thinking and feeling upon ourselves, and in some cases I believe this will end up doing more harm than good.
Rating:
Summary: Thinking Rightly
Review: The Reviewer: "jerryshake" (Laurel, MD USA) obviously DID NOT read Dr. Satinover's book. The phrase, "hate the sin, love the sinner", to which "jerryshake" refers is NOT in the book. His was a political, ILL-INFORMED, review based on his ideology and nothing more.
Dr. Satinover's book is a lesson in logica. It puts to shame those who would live their lives in a state of untested assumptions. And that is exactly the essence of the "gay" movement. They want to convince a world that their ideology is the only one to believe. READ THE BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: Mind-changing, spiritual book
Review: Dr. Satinover does an excellent job first examining the available scientific information regarding what determines homosexual orientation, and then where people can find help if they choose to become heterosexual. As a non-Christian, non-religious person, I found Dr. Satinover's book to unexpectedly be the most spiritual book I have ever read. It influenced me in simply providing information to gays that maybe they choose their lifestyle, and that there is help out there. It won't make you hate gays either as I am a huge fan of books by radio-talk show host and lesbian Tammy Bruce.
Rating:
Summary: Politics About What We Believe
Review: This is another one of those outstanding examples of the battle for the truth, in this case for one of society's real sensitive issues: homosexuality.
Dr. Satinover carefully shows that there "is no conclusive data that has been accepted by the scientific community to show just exactly the casuality of homosexuality."
Thus, one bases their attitude towards cultural acceptability on something else. Given that the Gay Activist have been thus far so successful of making it into an acceptable sexual orientation and even getting some to believe that since homosexuality is genetic than we should just accept it. Dr. Satinover gives insightful parallels from the outset and throughtout with alcoholism.
Given that their is no conclusive evidence exactly why some have homosexual orientation, we are each individually and collectively in society left with moral decision. Satinover chooses to base his on a Christian worldview.
To be sure, such clear and concise writing will and has brought negative reviews. Note carefully how most of them do not seek to refute the author's with "any" listed scientific research? Not one of them lists any work any of us can go and check out. Notice the misleading comments on Christianity which no respectable Christian would agree with, e.g. the New Testament has no such labeling of homosexuality a sin. Check out Romans 1.
This is the terrible time we find out society in. One that is so fashioned by political and media blitzes which has pushed us in directions that are just not well thought out, investigated areas. Homosexuality is one of these as so well exposed, thought out, and articulated for us in this work by Dr. Satinover.
As one thoughtful and accurate Christian reviewer pointed out, the Bible does not label homosexuality the greatest sin of all. The greatest sin of all is not believing in the one true God and His revelation, the Bible which has all sinners' transgressions paid for by the crucified one, including homosexuals. A far different story than the one the Gay Activists would like to paint. You read His Word and decide.
Rating:
Summary: A well structured and convincing argument
Review: Amidst all the political and social debates raging today, I believe Dr. Satinover is saying something that all of America needs to hear no matter what side of the debate you find yourself on. I believe it is a dishonest and cheap tactic to levy charges of homophobia and bigotry against the people of faith who believe that homosexuality is wrong and abide by the consistent teachings of the Judeo-Christian worldview. Satinover illustrates that it is possible to show compassion and kindness to homosexuals while at the same time not engaging in full-fledged acceptance of their lifestyle. This is the Biblical mandate that all believers are called to and is the quintessential Christian call to "hate the sin, but love the sinner." Unfortunately, many in Christian fundamentalist circles have not heeded this call and are rather harsh and unforgiving when discussing this subject. Satinover presents a convincing argument which states that homosexuality is a product of a myriad of factors including: genetics, intrauterine influences, environment, relationships, and personal choices. To say that homosexuality is 100% genetic as many activist's claim is a false claim, and has not been substantiated by scientific evidence. In fact, the meager scientific studies conducted on twins has illustrated that homosexuality cannot be genetic since in identical twin pairs the results are not 100% in either direction. Nevertheless, it is also unfair and irresponsible to say that homosexuality is simply a choice one makes; To venture in this direction is to make an equally disastrous and false claim as those made by the genetics camp. Moreover, many of the arguments employed by gay activist groups are not scientific at all, but a product of circular reasoning. Arguments such as, we say internal homophobia makes people not want to be homosexual, and people who do not want to be gay are that way because of internal homophobia. Mr. Satinover's remarks that serious scientific research, removed from a political agenda, must be conducted to clarify and enlighten on this issue are very true indeed. I believe all Christians should read this book so that they can understood the complexity and multi-faceted nature of the issue. Likewise, I believe activist's from the opposite spectrum should read this book so that they might understand the Judeo-Christian rejoinder on this subject. Of particular interest is Satinover's detailed analysis of the relationship between homosexuality and pedophilia. As he notes, pedophilia is more common among heterosexuals since they comprise the vast majority of the population, but the behavior itself is more prevalent among homosexuals, who make up a much smaller sector of the populace. Furthermore, the declassification of the paraphilia's as illnesses is the next logical step in the chain once homosexuality is normalized by the medical profession. Sadly, these steps are already being taken because of the efforts of activist groups such as NAMBLA(North American Man Boy Love Association). To the critics who say that Dr. Satinover's research is outdated and new research has disproved his assertions, this claim is hardly true. Examining the bibliography of this book, I found that 75% of Satinover's source material was dated from the 1980's and 1990's, hardly antiquated and irrelevant. Furthermore, since Dr. Satinover wrote this book no one has conclusively found the gay gene, although many have claimed to do so and later been disproven. As the doctor states, research uninfluenced by political agendas and activist desires needs to be conducted because only then will any real conclusive and comprehensive results be achieved.
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