A one day conference, ‘Setting Love in Order’, was held on January 16 in London, jointly organised by Core Issues Trust and Christian Concern.
It was in response to a Bill currently before Parliament (the Counsellors and Psychotherapists (Regulation) Bill) which calls for a code of ethics to be introduced prohibiting ‘gay to straight conversion therapy’. Christian therapists are very concerned.
Based on ideology
The conference started with a debate between the Rt Hon Geraint Davies, MP, who introduced the Bill in Parliament, and Dr Mike Davidson, Director of Core Issues Trust. Mr Davies spoke from the premise that there is no need for gay conversion therapy, there is no evidence of it’s success, and it causes trauma to vulnerable clients. Mr Davidson responded by agreeing on the need for effective regulation of therapists working in this area, but argued that choices made by clients must be of paramount significance and that the Bill is based on ideology alone.
Looking to Jesus
Rev. Andrew Symes of Anglican Mainstream led a session in which he considered Christ’s teaching on sexuality from Matthew’s Gospel. He concluded that Jesus taught clearly that any kind of sexual intimacy outside the covenant of heterosexual marriage was immoral.
Andrew Comiskey, of Living Waters Ministry in the USA, then reminded us that we have good news in Christ for all with gender disorders which we must not fear to proclaim.
This was a thought provoking conference in which a wide range of views were expressed. The discussion was gracious and full of integrity. There is much to pray for.
