As the Labour party progresses with its plan to outlaw ‘conversion therapy’, Christian groups are raising alarms over potential implications for religious freedoms. Concerns center on how the draft bill may affect parental and pastoral rights.
The Christian Institute, alongside the Greater Love Declaration and Affinity, addressed these issues in a letter to Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson.
In their correspondence, the groups argue that despite governmental promises, the draft legislation may still interfere with parental rights. They assert that the assurances provided are “not supported by the text of the draft Bill”.
The letter emphasizes potential risks for religious leaders under the new legislation.
According to the letter, the definitions of ‘conversion practice’ and ‘abusive’ are too ambiguous, potentially encompassing traditional Christian ministry and parental advice, which have never been criminalized before.
The Christian groups also critique the use of the term “conversion” in the bill, arguing it conflates sexual or gender identity changes with religious conversion.
“We ask you to abandon this terminology and adopt language that does not appropriate or distort a core Christian concept,” the letter urges.
Currently, the draft bill is under pre-legislative review. The Christian Institute warns that the proposed ban is overly broad, as it considers “words” under the definition of “abuse”.
They caution that this could lead to the criminalization of pastors’ teachings on gender and sexuality or parents expressing concern about their child’s potential transition or refusing to provide certain items like chest-binders.
Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of The Christian Institute, regards the proposed legislation as “one of the most troubling attempts at censorship we’ve seen”.
He further stated, “It’s clear that this legislation goes much too far into policing reasonable conversations and statements of belief. This disproportionate and controversial measure should be shelved.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
