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TechnoratiThrockmorton had participated in a nearly identical program last year at the American Psychological Association's meeting but did not hear any protests then, he noted.
When Robinson withdrew his participation, organizers tried looking for a replacement but with short notice and the media hype, it was difficult to find someone, particularly one of similar stature to Mohler, Scasta told The Christian Post.
Without Robinson or a replacement, the panel was unbalanced, Scasta said, explaining his decision to cancel.
An APA official said the association had nothing to do with the cancellation of the event and that is was Scasta's decision to withdraw since "a key participant who would have brought balance to the discussion had withdrawn."
But a statement by the APA also indicated that some in the association wanted the event pulled.
"Misinformation and rhetoric surrounding this event had risen to a level that would hinder the kind of open dialogue and interaction that was originally anticipated," the statement read, according to WorldNetDaily.
The APA had approved the symposium to be held this week among hundreds of other sessions. Topics presented at the session would not have reflected any official APA endorsement, said Jack Drescher, past chair of APA's Committee on GLB Issues.
The APA holds that homosexuality is not a mental disorder and opposes efforts to change a person's sexual orientation.
Although Throckmorton believes the symposium should have gone forward even without Robinson so that psychiatrists can hear from different professional responses to situations involving religiously committed individuals and homosexuality, the APA leadership indicated that they would try to hold the event next year, according to Throckmorton.
"The idea is there will be some effort to continue some common ground discussion," he said.
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