Twenty four British church leaders from a range of denominations have written an open letter to the UK Equalities Minister to express their grave concerns about the Labour government’s planned “conversion therapy” laws.
They cited the laws in two Australian states as evidence of the threat to traditional Christian practices in the UK.
Labour has committed to introducing a “full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices” as a legislative priority.
A draft bill for England and Wales is expected to be released very soon.
The Scottish Government has asked Westminster to legislate on its behalf.
“LAWS WOULD CRIMINALISE CORE ELEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN BELIEF”
The Christian leaders warn that a proposed ban on so-called “conversion therapy” would criminalise core elements of Christian belief.
They stated that the legislation could make it illegal to share the Gospel or guide children on issues of gender and sexuality.
The open letter was organised by the Let Us Pray campaign and backed by The Christian Institute.
This is what it says:
LETTER TO UK GOVERNMENT
We write as church leaders representing many thousands of Christians across Great Britain.
We understand that a draft ‘conversion practices’ Bill is currently being considered by No.10 Downing Street and wanted to write to express our concerns.
We are deeply concerned that the Westminster Government’s plans for a “full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices” could criminalise mainstream, historic Christian teaching on marriage and sexual ethics, and make sharing the Gospel with some people illegal.
We are also concerned it could prevent parents from guiding their children on matters of sexuality and gender, and from urging caution if their child says they want to undergo gender treatment.
“CAMPAIGNERS CONFLATE WORK OF CHURCH WITH ABUSE”
As Christians, we oppose abuse of any kind and are grateful for the many good laws that exist.
However, the lead campaigners for a new law routinely conflate the ordinary work of churches with abuse.
They imply that merely expressing Christian beliefs on sexuality and gender in prayer and pastoral conversations constitutes “conversion therapy” and should be outlawed.
Humanists UK has even called for repentance – which is central to the Gospel – to be included in a ban.
“EXISTING LAWS ARE ALREADY SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT EVERYONE FROM ABUSE”
Independent legal opinions from multiple leading KCs affirm that existing law in this area is already sufficient to protect everyone from abuse.
They are also clear that granting activists the kind of broad new law they seek, risks criminalising a wide range of innocent Christian activities, including prayer, pastoral conversations and evangelism.
The conversion therapy laws in operation in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales show this is not a hypothetical concern.
Under Victoria’s Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act, it is unlawful not to affirm a person’s declared gender identity.
WARNING TO UK GOVERNMENT ABOUT AUSTRALIAN LAWS
Official state guidance on how to comply with the law tells Christians how to pray and what they can and cannot teach – effectively imposing a new state-mandated theology.
The guidance also stated until recently that a parent discouraging their child from taking puberty blockers is guilty of unlawful conversion therapy.
This was only removed following a backlash.
Similarly in New South Wales, encouraging celibacy outside of marriage, as Christians have done for 2,000 years, could constitute a criminal offence.
“IMPOSSIBLE TO DRAFT LAWS THAT DON’T INFRINGE ON CHURCH AND FAMILY LIFE”
We are grateful the Government says it wants to respect the role of religious leaders and parents.
However, we remain convinced that it will not be possible to draft legislation in this area that does not infringe on the ordinary work of churches and family life.
CHRISTIANS PREPARING FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW
The Christian Institute has instructed solicitors in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland to prepare the ground for a potential judicial review of any new laws on ‘conversion therapy’ that restrict religious freedom.
This is based on legal advice received from one of the UK’s leading human rights KCs warning that an indiscriminate ban could criminalise the ordinary work of churches.
This would put the UK in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights and open the Government to legal challenge in the courts.
The Institute has won both its previous judicial reviews against UK governments.
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