NARTH presents itself as a secular organization whose “primary goal is to make effective psychological therapy available to all homosexual men and women who seek change.” So then it would be reasonable to assume that the advisors of such a group would be qualified by their expertise in the field of psychological therapy. We might even go so far as to assume that any scientific advisor labeled as Ph.D. was a professional in a scientific field if not in psychology.
Not so.
Take, for example, Dr. Lawrence F. Burtoft, Ph.D.
Dr. Burtoft has quite other qualifications which make him a “scientific advisor” to NARTH. Dr. Burtoft is the Senior Fellow for Family, Church and Society Studies for Focus on the Family Institute. And as to his Doctorate,
Education:
* Ph.D. Religion – Social Ethics, University of Southern California
* M.Div.Talbot Theological Seminary
* B.A. Biblical Studies, Biola University
Yes, Dr. Bartoft is highly qualified to offer his scientific advice on matters of … religion.
Now I am one who puts great value on religion. I just don’t confuse it with science. But perhaps he has other assets he brings to NARTH (other than the obvious financial benefits).
Well…. sort of. Focus on the Family credits Bartoft as follows:
In 1994, he published Setting the Record Straight: What the Research Really Says About the Social Consequences of Homosexuality through the Public Policy division of Focus on the Family, and in 1996, “Principled Persuasion: Making Your Case in the Public Square,” in Reclaiming the Culture – How to Protect Your Family’s Future, Alan R. Crippen II, ed. (Colorado Springs: Focus on the Family-1995). He has presented papers for the Society of Christian Ethics and the Society of Christian Philosophers, as well as giving expert testimony before several state congressional committees on the issue of homosexuality. From 1993-1995 he presented the Community Impact Seminar for Focus on the Family, which dealt with Christian social involvement. From 1995-1997, along with John Eldredge, he presented the Crossroads Weekend, a retreat for couples focused upon intimacy with God, romance in marriage and purpose in life. His most recent publication is “A Rhetoric of Hope” in Same-Sex Matters: The Challenge of Homosexuality (Dallas, TX: Spence Publishing Co. – 2000).
So we learn that Dr. Burtoft can advise NARTH on religion-based anti-gay activism.
But having that “Doctor” in front of your name can be very convincing for those who don’t have the time or the inclination to find out what kind of doctor one is. And it’s so easy to be a primary source of medical or psychological information when one is a “doctor’. For example, the web is crawling with references to Burtoft’s medical expertise:
Anatomically, the unnatural act of anal intercourse is itself harmful, due to the fact that anal tissue is made up of cells that are highly absorbent, highly susceptible to disease and more likely to tear or rupture. The anus has a thin cellular wall, which makes it easier for infectious disease to penetrate the blood stream. And because of the difference between vaginal and anal wall structure, repeated exposure to sperm during anal intercourse has been shown to break down the body’s immune system, causing even more damage.
(while this sort of quote shows up variously, I didn’t buy the good doctor’s book to see if that is an exact quote or if his claim is based on science or on a divine vision. Anyone with this scholarly tome can feel free to correct me).
I’m not qualified to discuss anal or vaginal wall structure. But I’m hesitant to place too much reliance on the medical testimony of a doctor of Religion.
From the Box Turtle Bulletin we also find this lovely quote from Burtoft:
a child molester is 17 times more likely to be homosexual than heterosexual
Again this would be convincing coming from a “doctor” if indeed the doctor knew even the rudimentals of research, population, sample, and psychology. But being qualified at discussing Scripture from an orthodox perspective doesn’t provide those skills. (check out Jim Burroway’s clear refutation of Burtoft’s assertions).
After Berger’s advice to ridicule children, van den Aardweg’s calls to “stop” lesbians from raising children, Fitzgibbons’ confusion, Satinover’s codes hidden in the Bible, and Schoenewolf’s defense of slavery, perhaps it is too much to expect that NARTH have an advisor that is not colorful. But surely they can find scientific advisors that come from a scientific field.
Dr. Lawrence F. Burtoft is listed as teaching two courses from the Focus on the Family Institute as a cooperative program with Crossroads College. They are….
POL 427 Family, Church & Society Studies (3) The purpose of this course is to allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the church’s relationship to both the family and the complex set of institutions, policies, practices and culture known as society. Students are challenged to think carefully and deeply about the church as transformed and transforming community—a radically redemptive, kingdom-centered counterculture through which God heals individuals, families and societies. Dr. Lawrence F. Burtoft
PHL 428 Cultural Issues in Christian Perspective (4) The purpose of this course is to deepen and broaden students’ understanding of the core assumptions of the Christian worldview and to apply this perspective to critical issues involving the contemporary family, church and society. The goal is to enable students to think more clearly about the ultimate issues of human existence so that they may live more purposeful lives and participate more constructively in the calling of the Church as a transformed and transforming community through which God heals individuals, families and societies. Dr. Lawrence F. Burtoft
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Yes, the student should be able to think more clearly after those classes…
But the good “Doctor” has his own ministry, The Center for Transformational Living of which “The Rev’d Lawrence F Burtoft, Ph.D.” is the Executive Director. The Center exists to provide Christians with some of the finest and most effective resources available to assist them in the fruitful pursuit of transformational living in the Way of Jesus Christ. It is part of The International Grace Center.
Anatomically, the unnatural act of anal intercourse is itself harmful, due to the fact that anal tissue is made up of cells that are highly absorbent, highly susceptible to disease and more likely to tear or rupture. The anus has a thin cellular wall, which makes it easier for infectious disease to penetrate the blood stream.
Which is why taking a good doody can kill you.
Not only did I have anatomy class for a phys ed certificate.
I also had to take it for forensic and crime analysis.
I almost want to laugh at this stupid comment by this ‘doctor’, who is obviously not expert in physiology or anatomy.
The mouth, the vagina and the rectum are very, very similar in structure.
As well as in mucosal glands and sphincter process.
EACH of these are sphincter muscles.
Sphincter muscles are simply muscles that are circular and their function is a ligature type of voluntary movement.
The lining along the intestinal structure walls contain the MOST bacteria, but they are NOT MORE susceptible to any more damage than the other sphincter structures in the body.
Indeed, as a woman ages or there are changes in her monthly cycle, she is susceptible to vaginal dryness and discomfort and tears in the tissues.
A woman is prone to infections due to moisture entrapment, as well as bacteria from men’s organs.
The urethra in men is also a seminal canal and can deposit urine into a woman accidentally as well.
Plenty of men and women are physically incompatible and women are routinely injured vaginally and scarring occurs often.
All injury depends on vigor and fluid, and sometimes incompatible size.
This goes for EVERYONE, not just same sex couples, but opposite couples too.
Let’s just say, compatibility is UP TO THE COUPLES involved and so is the resolution for enjoying a healthy sex life.
And most EXPRESSLY is NONE OF THIS BOGUS doctor’s damn business!
And a good doctor worth his certificate would agree with me.