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Book Reviews by Dr Pravin Thevathasan
Homosexuality According to Moberly, we are neither homosexual or heterosexual at birth: the development of the subsequent orientation is dependent on the parent-child relationship. So, says Moberly, none of us are born that way and, from a Christian perspective, none of us are complete in this life: we are all in the process of becoming what God intends us to be.This also means that persons ought not be defined by their sexual orientation. For Moberly, the sexual orientation is not owing to genetic or hormonal factors. Much depends on the child's relationship with the same sex parent. From a psychoanalytical perspective, the pursuit of same sex relationships is compensation for what was lacking in the relationship with the same sex parent. Indeed, argues Moberly, the parent may not even be consciously aware of the deficiency in the relationship. Another possible outcome of the deficiency of relationship is over-attachment to the parent of
the opposite sex. So, unlike some other therapists, Moberly appears to be saying that an excessively close relationship
with the parent of the opposite sex is a consequence and not a cause of same sex attraction. The real need for same sex attracted persons is the need for love. What is needed is non-sexual affirmative relationships with persons of the same sex. Moberly argues that same sex attracted persons need male heterosexual friends and, as a Christian, she suggests that God's love is mediated through these relationships. Moberly presents the reader with a clear distinction between the homosexual orientation and the activity.
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