Exodus International has relaunched its online bookstore at Exodusbooks.org, but some key titles are missing from the shelves.
In particular, there appear to be no books by the notorious Dr Joseph Nicolosi, the father of ex-gay reparative therapy and former president of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality.
Nicolosi’s seminal work Reparative Therapy of Male Homosexuality (1992), in which he articulated his view that distant fathers and overbearing mothers cause homosexuality, is no longer listed. Also missing are Nicolosi’s A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality and NARTH’s Handbook of Therapy for Unwanted Homosexual Attractions, although I can’t confirm if those two were previously in the catalogue.
So is it an oversight, or has Exodus made a conscious decision to disassociate from NARTH and its promise of a gay cure through psychiatry? If the latter, I can’t help but note that Exodus chief Alan Chambers has harsh words for apostates who try to distance themselves from his own organization.
Anyone notice any other glaring omissions from Exodus’s new bookstore?
I don’t think it’s an oversight. Warren Throckmorton has been challenging Exodus to distance themselves from NARTH:
“I also believe that groups like NARTH and Exodus should take some responsibility for the information they promote. Speaking directly to NARTH and Exodus: Parent’s are obstructing the well being of children because of the information you disseminate. You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it. Many people do decide to channel their actions in alignment with their beliefs, but it is infrequent that someone goes from gay to straight in attractions, fantasies and actions. You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.”
https://wthrockmorton.com/2011/09/13/mn-parents-action-league-obstructs-bullying-prevention-with-help-of-ex-gay-groups/comment-page-1/#comment-388459
Either way, you can bet they won’t make a peep about it unless it becomes absolutely necessary. This is their M.O., to make changes silently without taking any responsibility for explaining to followers that they even might have been wrong before. I think that’s dishonest at best, and it contributes to their abandonment by other organizations.
“although I can’t confirm if those two were previously in the catalogue.”
I don’t know about the second one but, Nicolosi’s A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality, was at one point on the catalogue. my parents got the book after learning that I was gay and they got it from Exodus International’s list of books.
the way I see it these books especially the reparative therapy ones are very harmful to gay people including those people who want to identify with Exodus International so pulling these books is a good thing even if exodus won’t admit why the books are no longer there. Big picture this is an interesting development because it would point to exodus taking a more catholic approach to the issue, backing of the claim that they can change sexuality but rather that they can “help” gay people live a celibate life.
I’m not sure it really matters because virtually all Exodus literature comes from a developmental perspective. They are selling Moberly’s book for example and most of everything else they have builds on the same premise Nicolosi presented. They also have An Ounce of Prevention by Schmierer.
What they don’t have is any literature from celibate gays who admit still having attractions such as Wesley Hill’s Washed and Waiting.
If they are separating more from NARTH it is probably more for image reasons than ideological reasons. I will be more impressed when I see more diversity of literature that represents different perspectives such as Wesley Hill type testimonies. Or Andrew Marin’s book. They don’t even have Chad Thompson’s Loving Homosexuals as Jesus Would and Chad holds to a developmental view. Or even Mark Yarhouse’s new book Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors and Friends. I don’t think Exodus will have real change until there is new leadership (which is unlikely to come any time soon).
I found the following tonight:
https://www.exodusbooks.org/Leaving-Homosexuality_p_144.html
https://www.exodusbooks.org/You-Dont-Have-to-be-Gay_p_91.html
https://www.exodusbooks.org/Growth-Into-Manhood_p_37.html
It seems that reparative therapy books aren’t completely absent from their store…
@Emily K
No way they will drop Alan’s book. The title of this one is rather absurd “Man Up!…”