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Chief rabbi and Christian therapists under fire over homosexuality

Tuesday 17 January 2012

Young Jewish Amsterdammers are furious that their chief rabbi has signed a statement issued in America by 162 rabbis and Jewish leaders saying homosexuality is a disease which can be cured.

Aryeh Ralbag, who lives in New York and visits the Netherlands once or twice a year to rule on legal matters, signed the statement as chief rabbi of Amsterdam and de facto of the Netherlands, a young gay man wrote to the Volkskrant in an email.

Ronnie Eisenmann of the Jewish Community Amsterdam told the paper he has asked Ralbag to delete his Dutch position from the list of signatories. 'Saying he is chief rabbi here gives the impression that the Jewish community in the Netherlands supports his view. That is not the case,' he said.

Insurers

In a separate report, Trouw says medical organisations and health insurers do not want to pay for a therapy designed to teach homosexuals to repress their 'sinful urges'.

The treatment is offered by the orthodox Christian organisation Different, a recognised provider of therapies in mental health care. Because it is officially recognised, health insurers cannot refuse to pay for the treatment, Trouw says.

However, doctors and insurers say the treatment is damaging and even dangerous and want the health inspectorate to look into the matter.

© DutchNews.nl



 
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Readers' comments (19)

Is religion curable?

By John | January 17, 2012 9:42 AM


Mr. John.... Well said. Too bad there isn't a 'like' button.

By Ambar | January 17, 2012 10:04 AM


If it's a disease, then they're issuing a medical opinion. What medical credentials do they hold?

By elbruce | January 17, 2012 11:46 AM


Now if this was a Muslim cleric Wilders who be doing over time with his tweeting.Unsurprisingly he has said nothing so far.Maybe because he is friends with this Rabbi.

By Jason | January 17, 2012 1:13 PM


Yes, John, it is. It's a procedure that can best be described as a reverse lobotomy, where parts of the brain that were previously inactive are activated.

By H. | January 17, 2012 1:55 PM


Xq28 is a bit of DNA (gene) marker on the X chromosome that is linked to male homosexuality .Cloistered life with the nuns is thought to be a cure

By Terence Hale | January 17, 2012 2:09 PM


Why can't we ban so-called religion? It causes more trouble than it's worth. Remember all those catholic 'dog collars' abusing children/ Why don't their fellow collar-wearers concentrate on 'curing them?

By Carol | January 17, 2012 4:26 PM


The World Health Organisation has ruled homosexuality,is not an illness and not a disease. The chief rabbi should be sacked in my opinion. His bigoted,right wing views has no place in 2012,in the Jewish faith or any religion,in my view. Stay in New York Aryeh.

By Samuel David | January 17, 2012 6:45 PM


162 ignorant rabbis do not create a fact.

By Dave | January 17, 2012 11:10 PM


Gay is NOT inborn!

People CAN CHANGE!

I know many formerly gay people who HAVE changed.

First I would encourage people to look at the actual Torah Declaration website:

http://www.torahdec.org

for a balanced perspective.

FIND OUT THE FACTS FROM THE SOURCE

On the left side of torahdec.org are links that will explain the real scientific facts.


Let’s get the facts straight.

People CAN and DO change!

Many, many are reaching out for help – we dare not withdraw our hands.

By Yosef | January 18, 2012 7:36 AM


It's 2012, surely we're evolved enough to decide for ourselves and not to listen to the Rabbi and followers of Sky fairies.

By DG | January 18, 2012 9:44 AM


Yosef:

*Heterosexuality* is NOT inborn! People CAN CHANGE! I know plenty of formerly straight people who have CHANGED! Get the facts! It's science! Honest!

If being gay is a lifestyle choice then, hey, so is being straight! There are "cures" out there that will turn you GAY in as little as three weeks! Sign up now! You'll be loving Glee and your interior design skills will improve ten fold in no time!

Many, many are reaching out for help- we dare not withdraw our hands!

By Z | January 18, 2012 9:45 AM


Yeah... because a Torah website is the respected source for scientific knowledge. Don't be retarded.

Too late.

By CD | January 18, 2012 10:21 AM


John: 'Is religion curable?' NO
People long ago threw out the Czar's religion thus opening more ways of controlling people by creating many types of organized religious groups. Religion contols people and is a tool to oppress the masses.
Stupidity is not curable either. Just have to look at all our leaders leading our nations.

By Alin | January 18, 2012 12:50 PM


@Yosef - its not called 'change' its called bisexual.

By Alan Knipmeyer | January 18, 2012 3:10 PM


Yes people can change. When some people are born with both male and female private parts they can just get rid of the male parts and call themselves female.

By Craig | January 18, 2012 4:53 PM


Craig: That was a wise decision 'you' made for these people to get rid of their male private parts instead of their female parts. Reason being is that God gave men both a penis and a brain, but unfortunately not enough blood supply to run both at the same time. ;)

By Georgeta | January 18, 2012 6:15 PM


if people can change, then religious people should also be able to change and open their minds and vision to things outside of their doctrine. set an example for us please, and stop trying to force the world to see things your way.

By Bill | January 18, 2012 6:57 PM


I see the 'tolerance' you have.

You would take away the right of someone from getting therapy that they want.

If you don't want to change - that's your business. In fact there would be no point in trying since it can only help for those who are willing to put in hard work.

But for the many that come and want to change - it is their right.

By Yosef | January 19, 2012 7:53 AM



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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