The Government Equalities Office is setting up a public consultation on the 'gay cure' issue,,,
by Lyndon Bowring, CARE chairman
Governments have no right to tell us how we can pray and what we should believe! But if Stonewall and other LGBT lobbying groups have their way, we’ll end up with a law that forbids Christian believers from seeking help to deal with unwanted same-sex attractions. And it would become illegal for any church leader to help them pastorally and to pray with them.
Looking for support to deal with unwanted sexual desires towards someone of the ‘opposite’ gender would be totally acceptable, but if the Government listens to some campaigners, offering pastoral care in the case of ‘same-sex’ relationships could be subject to police investigations and potential criminal charges.
In addition, preaching or even speaking privately in favour of orthodox, historic Christian teaching about human sexuality and marriage could be seen as oppressive and abusive, and open to prosecution.
Imagine someone attending your church reaching out to ask for prayer because of unwanted same-sex attraction. No coercion takes place, they just want to explore their feelings in the light of historic Christian teaching and seek help to live in line with their identity in Christ.
The Government is now bringing forward legislation to outlaw the practice of ‘conversion therapy’ – sometimes called ‘gay cure’ – which means trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
CARE wholeheartedly rejects any idea of harmful psychological therapies and medical treatments involving physical and emotional coercion and abuse – such as electric shock and other traumatic treatments. But we have concerns that this Government Bill could go much further than this because of pressure from campaigners and professional bodies that have warned that ‘all’ forms of conversion therapy are unethical and potentially harmful. The charity Stonewall states that ‘no one should be told their identity is something to be cured’. What does this mean for those engaged in Christian ministry?
As I write, the Government Equalities Office is setting up a public consultation, so please go online and submit your views. We’re also asking people to contact their MP about this. It’s essential this new law clearly explains what is meant by ‘conversion therapy’ and for freedom of belief and religion to be protected. This should be seen as a moral duty just as much as stopping harmful medical practices.
The gospel of grace is there for everyone, and we are called to love and accept people no matter what their lives are like, sharing God’s Word with them gently at the right time. Forbidding pastoral care and prayer would be incredibly serious and we must make sure it doesn’t happen.
From Direction Magazine issue 231.
