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Michael Bussee and Gary Cooper were two of the 11 participants and also were responsible for selecting the other participants. "Name it and claim it". more ยป. Harvey discusses a qualitative study by Pattison & Pattison (American Journal of Psychiatry, 1980) as support that orientation. (http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2007/11/a-critique-of-jones-and-yarhouses-ex-gays-part-2/)Bussee admitted this 16 years before this book was published but Harvey makes no note of this. We believed it.
We weren't lying -- at least we didn't think we were.
Bussee later said this:[We] carefully handpicked and coached the research subjects.
Believe that it is yours and God will give it to you.
However, the study was later shown to have highly fraudulent report.
By faith, you speak it into reality.
We (Gary and I) were two of the eleven who had "changed" since we were both married with kids.
We told the research subjects how important it was to EXODUS's ministry and future that the subjects give the most positive response possible.
Sadly, we were deluding ourselves and misleading others.
Harvey has not done enough research on this topic and should not be writing books about it acting as if he has.
These are "THE BOOKS". I strongly reccomend to read this book. Short, comprehensive, informative non judgmental. It is a continuation of father Harveys earlier book:"The homosexual person: new thinking in pastoral care". The immense knowledge and experience contained in these both books are a fruit of many years of father Harvey's ministry among persons with homosexual leanings. With love without unnecesseary and evil passions or bigotry. A work of a saint.
Incidentally, he does not believe in civil rights for gays and lesbians. Fr. However, he deserves little credit for the contents of this book. This view goes against that of the American Psychiatric Association, which Harvey dismisses as being overly influenced by the gay rights agenda. However, it is not for those who are more open-minded or want to form an opinion based on reading both sides of the issue. He does set forth the official teaching of the Catholic Church on homosexual orientation and homosexual activity correctly, but this is a minor part of the book.
Harvey makes sweeping generalizations from authors he agrees with, and accepts their conclusions with little criticism, while he nitpicks with those he disagrees with. Harvey has been involved in ministry to homosexual people long before such ministry was "popular," and for this he deserves credit. I found the book to be very one-sided, if not outright biased. The bulk of it is dedicated to his own views on homosexuality, and most of the time he does not make clear whether he is talking about his views or the official position of the Church. According to Harvey, homosexuality is a psychological disorder, and he believes that sexual orientation can be changed, or at least that one can "advance" towards heterosexuality. If you already agree with his position, you will like this book.
Instead of reading Harvey's book, I would recommend Richard Peddicord, O.P.'s book "Gay & Lesbian Rights: A Question: Sexual Ethics or Social Justice." It is much more scholarly, and therefore a little dry, but I think it gives a much more balanced view of the Catholic Church's position on and struggle with issues of homosexuality.
Fr. Harvey gives a carefully written, sensitve, and thought-provoking look at the issue of homosexuality. I have found this book to be an excellent resource in thinking through the truths and lies of the current "cultural war". A good resource for anyone interested in this issue.
An excellent presentation of orthodox Catholic teaching on homosexuality and suggestions for pastoral outreach. The author is the founder of Courage, an organization for homosexuals who accept the challenge to live according to Gospel values.
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