Richard Cohen has been a busy boy.
It’s been only three months since the ex-gay activist released his reparative children’s book, Alfie’s Home, and now Cohen’s penned a piece for parents with queer kids.
In this volume – Gay Children, Straight Parents: A Plan for Family Healing – Cohen offers progenitors some twelve-step advice on how to cope with their bent babies.
In addition to asking God for guidance and honing communication skills, parents are told to investigate their child’s gay impetus, which, Cohen claims, may come from a morally lax culture. Box Turtle Bulletin explains:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Since Cohen believes it is “trendy to be ‘gay’ or ‘bi’,” he holds the media, schools, politicians and the Internet responsible for “enrolling young, impressionable and vulnerable children into a lifestyle that will ultimately betray them.” It’s another variation on the recruitment theme: if the gays don’t get you, television will.
Cohen believes that our culture has turned “gay” into a false identity and he literally cries out, “There is no such thing as ‘gay’; there are only hurt children looking for love. (Emphasis in the original.)”
What about all the kids with healthy family relations? Do they simply not exist? Are they figments of our collective imagination? If so, why are we all experiencing the same dream? And, what’s more, if we’re experiencing the same dream, why are there such nightmarish characters as Richard Cohen? Someone wake us up!
Dawster
Yeah! I’m trendy!
(about damn time)
what a sick, twisted man. i hope he gets the help (and the love) he needs.
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Those of you familiar with Judaism will recognise that a Cohen, Kahn, Kahnin are names that reflect the tribe of Aaron, or priestly tribe. There are special prayers in temple that are the province of the tribe of Aaron only.
There is, I believe, much difficulty in accepting homosexuality among orthodox Judaism especially. As you are aware, most “ex-gays” emanate from fundamentalist Christianity.
Would it surprise you that not unlike Freud or other fathers of psychiatry that the fathers of the ex-gay movement have many roots in the beliefs of orthodox Judaism. In Israel, for example, those who stopped the Jerusalem gay pride events, and those trying to stop same sex marriage, are the Orthodox rabbinical organisations.
This is psychiatric quackery born out of theological and spiritual violence. The lies of choice and change of hard-wired psychosexual orientation is the underpinning of the Dominionist Theocratic agenda. There are ties to the Fundamentalist Christian theocons and those who are “Judao-Christians” who are in the world spreading that message as well. These groups practice both faith systems led by a “rab-stor” (rabbi and pastor in one).
KJ
Cohen always does too much self-revelation with his nonsense.
But is it “trendy” to be gay. You mean at mid-life, I’m finally cool? About damn time!
Gregg
That’s some pretty thinly veiled antisemitism RES. But I guess you figure that the “Rev” and “Dr” before your name allows you to spout such nonsense with impunity.
The Enemy
I’m sorry Gregg, how is the Res comment anti-semitic? I went back and read it twice, I still don’t see it.
I’m not being shitty here, I’m genuinely interested.
School The Enemy.
leomoore
Gregg, Jews are no more homogeneous than Christians. There are fundamentalists amongst Jews just as there are in all religions. Pointing out that fact is not anti-semitic anymore than pointing out that James Dobson, Pat Robertson, or Jerry Falwell are fundamentalist Christians is anti-christian. I was a Roman Catholic and don’t see offense when someone states that Pope Benedict is homophobic. There are, indeed, people who call themselves Jews for Jesus who don’t make much sense as either one, but are notoriously homophobic.
Dawster
well, i don’t know about Gregg, TheEnemy, but i will say this to Rt. Rev. Dr. Res’ comments:
(1) Richard Cohen is an unlicensed therapist and a scam artist out to make a buck. he couldn’t even get along with Exodus International. his thoughts and view on homosexuality are purely hate-filled and is certainly money oriented… i.e. asking for donations instead of payment for his treatment.
(2) Assuming his money scam and homophobia is due to his possible heritage to “the tribe of Aaron” is a little bit of an odd leap with completely unnecessary information. that is probably where the “veiled antisemitism” came in.
(3) Cohen is not part of the psychiatric world as he refuses to pay any dues, and feels the world of psychiatry is pro-gay. again, unnecessary information.
(4) it’s not entirely necessary to comment on EVERY post on here, you know…
(5) Cohen’s new book is adding fuel to the fire of anti-gay sentiment, and putting more money in his pocket, which is what this is really about. his self-loathing will never let him be honest with himself… and that is regardless of where that hate came from (heritage or religion, past or present).
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Dawster –
I do not know what motives underlie Mr. Cohen’s words and actions ? It is certainly ” hate-filled” but it could be “money-oriented” . I hesitate to state such because I do not know and do not want to be called antisemitic because the stereotypic Shylock bullocks around since Shakespeare.
I never wrote a syllogistic arguement that said that Mr. Cohen’s Aaronic heritage coloured his belief system. I mentioned it because as a Christian bishop and priest, I believe that observant believers usually expect a higher level of integrity, rather than less. I would also give the same commentary to a Christian colleague or a Hindu Brahmin…also a priest caste.
I have often spoken about spiritual violence….regardless of the belief system. I have spoken about both external and internal homophobia in this “ex-gay” population. Orthodox faith systems are often more rigid theologically.
No, my words are not a defence against anti-semitism. My rabbinical friends abound – and the oldest such friend was a sandbox childhood friend.
I grew up in a very Jewish neighbourhood, with no friends who could play with me on Saturdays. LOL
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Gregg –
At the risk of stating the obvious….I do not despise or hate anyone based on their age, sex, religion, ethnic origin, religious belief, transgendered or psychosexual orientation.
Although as much a sinner as others, I live my life loving my God, my family and my Canada. I love my neighbour as myself to the best of my ability.
Gregg
Geez – the naivety here really boggles the mind. For those who do not see antisemitism here, what about this fact: the only person to bring up Judaism here is the good ol’ Rt Rev Dr RES. Cohen, although an idiot, does not espouse Judaism as far as I can see. He was a member of the Unification Church for 20 years. I don’t know what his affiliation is now.
The antisemitism comes in the guise of “Cohen=Jew=antigay”. If you missed that, I’m sorry but you must be blind. There was no need to bring Judaism into this discussion, other than to bash Jews.
Did you miss the line “Would it surprise you that not unlike Freud or other fathers of psychiatry that the fathers of the ex-gay movement have many roots in the beliefs of orthodox Judaism”? Do you not see this as bashing Jews? Read the sentence for what it is: Jew=gay-hater.
I, too, grew up in a very Jewish neighborhood, though I myself am not Jewish. I have experienced much anti-semitism from Christian Bishops and Priests whom I have worked with, so that comes as no surprise to me.
But, seriously, what the hell was the point of bringing Judaism into this? (other than the name Cohen)
I would agree that orthodox faiths are more rigid, and I have huge problems with organized religions of any kind. But picking apart and blaming one particular orthodoxy seems a bit pathetic Dear Bishop Priest REV.
Nikko
But it is Judaism/Christianity that has led the world know that it is anti-gay.
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Gregg….let me understand. You share growing up in a Jewish neighbourhood and you are not Jewish. I’m with you so far. So you have experienced much anti-semitism from bishops and priests whom you have worked with?????
I would suspect that if Cohen joined Reverend Moon, that his parents did not cradle him in that faith system.
I merely suspect that I can assume that you have been the victim of spiritual violence from some Roman bishops and priests, and well, although Anglican, I am “available for a verbal bitch slap.”
Okay, I hope it felt good for you. But I don’t hate you and I forgive you your false witness against me.
For those who know me, dear boy, no defence is necessary, and for those who don’t, again like you dear boy, no explanation will suffice.
God bless you, Gregg.
Gregg
No false witness here, dear sir. You are the one who brought Judaism into this for seemingly no reason at all.
I don’t know what is so difficult to understand about the fact that I have worked with Christian Bishops and Priests and that I have experienced pervasive antisemitism in their company. If I need to spell it out for you – they made disparaging comments about Jewish people and also had no problem using the word Jew as a verb, and in a crowd of clergy I was the only person to express offense each time. Stuff like that. So your leap to blame Judaism comes as no shock to me, considering that you too are a priest and bishop. Clearer now?
Just as it is easy for you to insinuate that Cohen’s anti-gay idiocy comes from an assumed immersion in Judaism, it is easy for me to see you as antisemitic based on my own experience with priests, bishops, and others who would insert Judaic references where they do not belong.
Your words speak for themselves.
Oh, and God bless you too, dear sir. I’m surprised you didn’t throw in an “I’ll pray for you.”
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Yes, Gregg, I will try to suspend belief and not still believe the truth of your words.
But, yes, I believe that you are the victim of Roman Catholic spiritual violence, and yes, of course, I began praying for you long ago, dear injured one !!!!
Gregg
Ah yes, RES. When you cannot defend your own actions, divert attention to someone else. Nice try.
It’s obviously easier for you to try and switch attention to my faith, which has nothing to do with this conversation, than to deal with your own prejudice.
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Spiritual violence is pandemic in the LGBT community. Understandable. Absolutely. The persons raised in observant or communicant families are usually torn between who they are and what they have been catechetically taught.
After years of intense struggle, many absolutely reject their faith system, and demonise anyone who they believe represents a gay-affirming faith community.
I have answered Gregg, and what I have said is sufficient and charitable despite continuous painful ad hominem attacks. I forgive him his trespasses as I realise they are born out of anger not for me or some supposed affront to a faith system that he does not belong to, which is false. I ask you all to pray for such men who need our prayers for healing and forgiveness for those who have offended them by speech or actions.
Please notice that despite continuous replies, this is my last discussion on the subject. I will simply disregard his remarks, and continue to love him and to pray for him.
Gregg
Oy vei. The dear RES simply cannot comprehend that I am pointing out his own use of Judaism as a scapegoat here on this thread, not dissecting his faith. Again he tries to ignore his own behavior by focusing on his baseless perceptions of me.