Two dozen evangelical church leaders have warned the Equalities Minister of the implications of a full “conversion therapy” ban on historic Christian teachings.
Olivia Bailey MP made clear at a panel hosted by LGBT organisation Stonewall at the Labour Party conference on 28 September that she is “determined” such a ban will be fully inclusive. The 24 church leaders across conservative evangelical denominations have published an open letter to her expressing “grave concerns”.
It states: “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.”
Signatories include Andy Lines, Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Network in Europe, Graham Nicholls, Director of evangelical network Affinity, and Bill James, Principal of London Seminary. The letter was also signed by a further 5,600-plus individuals.
The letter also raised concerns over the implications for parents guiding their own children on sexuality and gender. And while they made clear that they “oppose abuse”, they warned that “the lead campaigners for a new law routinely conflate the ordinary work of churches with abuse.”
The government has previously said any ban must “respect the important role” of “teachers, religious leaders, parents and carers”. The Christian Institute reports that the UK Government has promised to publish its draft “conversion practices” bill for England and Wales “very soon”. It says the Scottish Government want the legislation to apply north of the border too.
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