You can help someone struggling with
homosexuality.
Dr. Jeffrey Satinover has written extensively on the struggle of homosexuality and has helped countless people help others - and help themselves. The following has been adapted from his "What to Do... and Not to Do" list from his report Homosexuality Facts versus Fictions.
1. Be willing to share about your own personal struggles and temptations.
2. Don't condemn. People have not "chosen" to "have homosexual feelings" the way some choose to live in a certain city. To describe it this way is to convince them that you have no understanding at all about their experience - and no sympathy for it as well. Know that the core of the homosexual struggle is rejection.
3. Don't start citing all the problems with homosexuality. Consider how rarely exhortations convince someone to give up alcohol or smoking. But don't go to the opposite extreme either. Unquestioning acceptance of homosexuality as a legitimate "alternative" may seem at first to be the only compassionate option. But there are better and more appropriate approaches that show concern and understanding, yet deal with the reality of the situation.
4. Try to prevent the problem before it occurs. Openly discuss the subject of homosexuality with your friends or anyone you are close to who may be struggling. Familiarise yourself with the causes and address them at an early time. Help them understand the risks.
5. Share specific avenues of help that have helped thousands of people in the midst of their struggle with homosexuality. Give them hope that change is possible! Perhaps even share this booklet with them. Even if the person is defensive and resistant, a specific route of assistance that is lovingly offered may be followed some day down the road.
6. Show love, concern and gentleness as you point the way to healing.
Adapted from Straight Talk - The Myths and Facts about Homosexuality www.lovewonout.com
Dr. Jeffrey Satinover has written extensively on the struggle of homosexuality and has helped countless people help others - and help themselves. The following has been adapted from his "What to Do... and Not to Do" list from his report Homosexuality Facts versus Fictions.
1. Be willing to share about your own personal struggles and temptations.
2. Don't condemn. People have not "chosen" to "have homosexual feelings" the way some choose to live in a certain city. To describe it this way is to convince them that you have no understanding at all about their experience - and no sympathy for it as well. Know that the core of the homosexual struggle is rejection.
3. Don't start citing all the problems with homosexuality. Consider how rarely exhortations convince someone to give up alcohol or smoking. But don't go to the opposite extreme either. Unquestioning acceptance of homosexuality as a legitimate "alternative" may seem at first to be the only compassionate option. But there are better and more appropriate approaches that show concern and understanding, yet deal with the reality of the situation.
4. Try to prevent the problem before it occurs. Openly discuss the subject of homosexuality with your friends or anyone you are close to who may be struggling. Familiarise yourself with the causes and address them at an early time. Help them understand the risks.
5. Share specific avenues of help that have helped thousands of people in the midst of their struggle with homosexuality. Give them hope that change is possible! Perhaps even share this booklet with them. Even if the person is defensive and resistant, a specific route of assistance that is lovingly offered may be followed some day down the road.
6. Show love, concern and gentleness as you point the way to healing.
Adapted from Straight Talk - The Myths and Facts about Homosexuality www.lovewonout.com