Government pledges not to ban prayer in ban on 'conversion therapy'
Prayer will not be banned under a ban on so-called conversion therapy, the government announced,
but the Institute warns that "the devil will be in the details."
This morning, the Minister for Women and Equality, Liz Truss, released the government's consultation
on how to make coercive "conversion therapy" illegal.
The new Let Us Pray campaign, led by The Christian Institute, has urged the government not to give in to the demands of activists who want to use the ban to attack the theology of Bible-believing churches.
but the Institute warns that "the devil will be in the details."
This morning, the Minister for Women and Equality, Liz Truss, released the government's consultation
on how to make coercive "conversion therapy" illegal.
The new Let Us Pray campaign, led by The Christian Institute, has urged the government not to give in to the demands of activists who want to use the ban to attack the theology of Bible-believing churches.
Prayer not affectedCurrently, the proposals include the introduction of a new offence for "talk therapies" involving children under the age of 18 in all circumstances and adults who have not given their informed consent.
It also includes fines for those who take advantage of "conversion therapy" offenses and conversion therapy protection orders to protect potential victims from harmful practices, including traveling abroad for them.
But in a letter to The Christian Institute, which is behind the Let Us Pray campaign, Equalities Minister Mike Freer MP said: not to be considered conversion therapy.
"The freedom to express the teachings of any religion will not be affected by the ban, and there should be no doubt that individuals will still be able to access the support and advice of religious leaders."
'Disgusting'Let Us Pray spokesman Simon Calvert said: "We welcome the fact that the government has rejected demands from activists who want to criminalise prayers that do not support liberal theology. The government has clearly acknowledged that this would be a serious violation of human rights.
"However, we have not yet seen the details of the government's proposals to ensure it delivers on its commitment. The devil will be in the detail. They must ensure that legislation does not result in legal action against vicars for praying with members of the congregation who ask for prayers about their sexuality.
"Everyone supports protecting people from dangerous pseudo-medical practices and physical abuse. The government's proposals are clearly intended to do so. But activists are trying to pressure the government to enact a draconian law that would effectively give them veto power over church teaching and practice.
activists are trying to pressure the government to enact a draconian law that would effectively give them
veto power over church teaching and practice.
"It is frankly repugnant for them to exploit legitimate concerns about homosexual abuse to reinforce their own hostility against evangelical churches and the people who worship in them."
"Fundamental religious freedoms"He continued: "Activists will be furious that the government has so far rejected their demands to ban traditional and dominant Christian beliefs about sex and sexuality. Churches that teach biblical sexual ethics also teach that we must love our neighbor. We pose no threat to LGBT people and we do not deserve to be criminalized.
"By affirming its intention to protect fundamental religious freedoms, the government is simply recognizing that we have the human right to have, express and live our beliefs. Lawyers have written to the government reminding it of its obligation to protect freedom of religion.
"LGBT people who come to a Bible-believing church receive the same warm welcome as anyone else. And most of them are not surprised to find that the church believes things they don't. This is what freedom of religion means.
"But some who oppose the Church's teaching, having failed to win the argument through persuasion, want criminal law to settle their theological differences. The government must stand firm in its determination not to give them what they are looking for.
"Confusion and contradictory"Mr. Calvert concluded: "While we are encouraged by the government's stated intentions, we remain concerned about whether the particular policy approach it has chosen will meet all of these intentions.
"There is a glaring lack of detail in the consultation paper. Some of them are confused and contradictory on the key issue of what is and is not going to be banned. We will continue to engage constructively with the government
as its plans develop, and we will urge other Christians to do the same. »
The Christian Institute
Govt pledges not to ban prayer in 'conversion therapy' ban - The Christian Institute (www-christian-org-uk.translate.goog)
Govt pledges not to ban prayer in 'conversion therapy' ban - The Christian Institute (www-christian-org-uk.translate.goog)
