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Views of Tom Shepherd, Publisher
Published by The Tom Shepherd International Palm Society
The Shepherd-Montessori Institute
Herd mentality often rules. Scapegoating -- ganging up on a single client -- is an ongoing risk in group therapy. Many group therapists are not as mentally well balanced, as intelligent or even as well educated as their clients and through a variety of forms of scapegoating may push a sensitive client off the deep end, as it were, thus exacerbating the client's psychological problems. Think twice before opting for group therapy services.
defective genes or defective parenting? what's it all about?
reprint of 1997 edition article Tom Blaise Shepherd reprint of 1997 edition article
ALL people most probably have a CAPACITY for experiencing homoerotic arousal as a result of casual bodily contact. However, as a result of social conditioning arising out of ancient barbaric & violent biblical rhetoric, most people are taught to feel guilty and ashamed merely for experiencing such feelings -- very normal feelings.
Sex and Sanity:
A Sociocultural Perspective of Human Sexuality
by Tom 'Miguel' Blaise Shepherd
There is no such animal as a homosexual! Nor is there any such animal as a heterosexual. Why? My own observations of nature, as well as the observations of renowned behavioral scientist Abraham Maslow, reveal that sexual orientation for humans is not dimorphic, which is to say that people are NOT biologically programmed for attraction to either the same sex or the opposite sex. In fact, the more dominant the male or the higher level of testosterone in the male, the more likely is the unsocialized male to seek to indiscriminately mount both other males and females for sexual gratification, depending on whichever is available and receptive.
A post-World War II comprehensive survey conducted by Alfred Kinsey revealed that 39 percent of adult males admitted to having engaged in sexual relations with another male at least once. A 1970s survey undertaken by the editors of Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine revealed that 51 percent of those males interviewed admitted to having occasionally engaged in sex with other males. Were the truth known, the percentage would probably be much higher, perhaps closer to 99 percent. Due to the criminalization of homosexuality, stemming from ancient Biblical teachings, it is understandable why most men are likely to deny ever having even experienced sexual attraction for other males.
Neither genes nor hormones determine the choice of an individual's sex object. It is the cultural influences that determine sexual behavior. Presumably, all men and women are fundamentally auto-erotic. However, their own pleasure is intensified by those males and females who respond to them positively rather than negatively.
Among the Sambian people of New Guinea, homosexuality among males is considered a rite of manhood. Boys are encouraged to form attachments to men and fellate them. In fact, the Sambian people believe ingesting semen to be necessary for attaining strength and virility. However, once a Sambian male reaches manhood, he is expected to periodically copulate with female Sambians for the purpose of procreation. Sex with tribal outsiders is taboo.
The Greeks considered everyone bisexual and worshiped the god Hermaphroditos who possessed both male and female genitalia. Male homosexuality, considered a manly form of behavior, was a social cornerstone of Spartan life. Boys generally slept with other young men and Spartan husbands spent very little time with their wifes, even on the wedding night, spending most of their time with their male warrior-companions. Marriage was encouraged, but only to provide warriors for the state.
Because of social mores, reinforced by religious dogma, beginning with Genesis 19:1-38 of The Torah or The Old Testament, homosexuality is purposefully suppressed, largely out of fear of reprisal. The fear is reinforced throughout the Old Testament and New Testament: Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:27 and Corinthians 6:8-11, in which engaging in homosexuality is discouraged by Jewish law and Christian doctrine. Thus, children and adolescents are educated and socialized to conform and deny they even experience sexual attraction for others of the same sex out of fear of ridicule and rejection by society.
Testosterone is the hormone that activates the sex drive in both males and females, although testosterone does not determine the CHOICE of a sex object. The average male has approximatley eight times the level of testosterone as a female.
The clinically correct and academically correct practice of identifying individuals by a so-called "sexual orientation" is pathological and stigmatizing, aside from the fact that the term is ambiguous and has different meanings to different people..
Labeling or humiliating and thus stigmatizing a male child, an adolescent or even an adult as a 'homosexual' or as 'gay' generally results in social rejection by members of both sexes, thereby driving the stigmatized individual into compensatory behavior, including sexual assaults on representtive members of the opposite sex [rape], or into adopting a gay lifestyle, a lifestyle adopted more by default than by choice.
The idea that the size of the hypothalamus region of the brain determines one's sexual orientation is a viewpoint that gained popularity following the research of Simon Levay at the Salk Institute in 1990, whose male domestic partner reportedly died of AIDS. However, the conclusions that resulted from Levay's research, an alleged sampling of the brains of 39 males, were afterwards used by some politically-minded individuals to suggest that the size of the hypothalamus actually determines one's choice of a sexual partner, although Levay himself did not offer that conclusion.
Others, of the same school of thought, have likewise claimed that a so-called heterosexual man's ring finger is longer than his index finger, whereas a so-called homosexual man's ring finger (or a woman's ring finger) is slightly shorter than his index finger, presumably as a result of the amount of androgen-stimulation the fetus receives while still in the womb. Thus, any layman can easily conduct his own research. The fact is very few, if any, so-called 'gay' men are biologically or genetically any different than so-called 'straight' men. To be more succinct, 99+% of so-called gay men have heterosexual male hands. Presumably, all men experience homosexual thoughts. To deny otherwise is absurd.
Read: "The Biological Evidence Challenged," by William Byne, Ph.D. The Scientific American Book of the Brain.
Although mutual exhibitionism and genital comparison among males is encouraged in athletic programs through nude swimming, community showers and community urinals, which can lead to experimental homosexuality, those who adopt a lesbian or gay lifestyle are most probably:
(1) those who have been rejected, humiliated and labeled as 'homosexuals' by one or both parents or by peers; (2) those who have been seduced by a member of the same sex, and (3) those who have failed to conform to rigid stereotypes of masculinity or feminity. A part of this labeling process is the result of the artificial dichotomies (stereotypes) utilized by psychologists and sociologists to define what traits are to be considered masculine or male and what traits are to be considered feminine or female.
Mature, well-adjusted adults generally adopt socially acceptable methods for sublimating their sex drive through their work, hobbies, athletic programs and fellowship with people of both sexes without feeling a need to objectify or label themselves. Preventing venereal disease, as well as unwanted pregnancy, are sound reasons for everyone to avoid casual and promiscuous sex.
However, rectal hemmoraging is an everpresent danger when engaging in rectal sex, protected or otherwise, and is a sound reason for anyone, male or female, to avoid rectal intercourse. Male nocturnal emissions and masturbation, when alone and in the privacy of one's own bedroom, are biologically normal and seemingly necessary outlets for sexual release.
Once again, testosterone is the hormone that activates the sex drive in both males and females, although testosterone does not determine the CHOICE of a sex object. The average male has approximatley eight times the level of testosterone as a female.
Alcohol, hallucinogens and prescribed psychotropic drugs reduce testosterone levels, according to Eugene Shippen, M.D. and William Fryer, authors of The Testosterone Syndrome. Reduced testosterone levels in both men and women reduce virility, increase fat deposits, reduce one's ability for critical thinking and increase the risk for developing many forms of cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and pulmonary disease. Be wary of media reports that suggest alcoholic beverages are a "health food." Zinc supplements can boost testosterone. Soy and broccoli can reduce unhealthy estrogen levels.
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Regular Exercise and Vegetarian Diet: The Key To Healthy Living
A modified vegetarian diet that includes daily servings of garbanzo beans, tofu (a soybean derivative), fresh green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, avocados, carrots, celery, cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower), fresh citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruit), grapes, berries, olive oil (or canola oil), red or green peppers, onions and garlic is a proven way to sane and healthy living. Tofu is an excellent meat substitute when consumed along with fresh vegetables and fresh fruit. Consume small portions and chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.
Small daily servings of steamed cold water fin fish (tuna, sardines, salmon, trout or imitation crab meat) and tofu (steaks) is a suggested 'meat' source. Small portions of poultry breast (no more than 3 to 4 ozs. per serving) can be added to a salad. Avoid eating fried chicken altogether.
If you are trying to reduce and maintain your weight, then avoid bread and potatoes altogether. You will get all the vitamins, minerals and protein you need from fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and soy.
Get in the habit of drinking water, non-fat milk (for protein and calcium) and green tea (beneficial to the arteries) in lieu of other beverages. Fill your refrigerator water bottles with hot tap water (less impurities) in lieu of cold tap water. It is recommended to use wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) as a condiment. Avoid alcoholic beverages (including wine) altogether. Also, occasionally substitute green tea for coffee.
NOTE: Both fresh garlic and celery are known to safely lower blood pressure to healthy levels. Obtain your soy from soybeans or tofu. For a snack, prepare hummus (a puree of garbanzo beans, olive oil, lemon juice and fresh minced garlic). Use as a dip for celery sticks. AVOID SOY MILK THAT IS SWEETENED WITH CORN SYRUP. Drink non-fat cow's milk.
If you follow a strict vegetarian diet, as suggested above, your blood pressure and cholesterol levels will, within a short period of time, fall into a normal range. Your risk for cancer and heart disease will be non-existent. Your anxiety levels will also be significantly reduced.
Tom's Tofu Steak & Omelet Recipe ~ House Foods America Tofu Recipes
The Soyfoods Council Recipes
Say NO to alcoholic beverages, tobacco and other psychoactive drugs
EXERCISE DAILY
reprint of 1997 edition article Tom Blaise Shepherd reprint of 1997 edition article
ALL people have a CAPACITY for experiencing homoerotic arousal as a result of casual bodily contact. However, as a result of social conditioning arising out of ancient barbaric & violent biblical rhetoric, most people are taught to feel guilty and ashamed merely for experiencing such feelings -- very normal feelings.
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