Government publishes sinister conversion practices ban

The Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker has welcomed the Draft Conversion Practices Bill but he is wrong in principle and gravely mistaken, as was the General Synod back in 2017 to vote in favour of the ban.

The proposed law would make it a criminal offence with up to 5 years imprisonment, for any conduct with the intention to change another person’s views or practice about sexual orientation of transgender identity in a way that causes “serious harm to the individual’s physical or mental health”.

The lack of clear definition about what constitutes abusive conduct will mean that parents, pastors – and in fact whole churches – could be indicted for prayer, guidance, expressions of concern and pastoral conversations regarding sexuality and gender identity. This could be any time we when we kindly and respectfully question someone’s sexual desires or activity or their desire to “transition.” We might simply be teaching what the Bible says, or just praying.

As well as imprisonment this could lead to protection orders with power to separate children from their parents simply for questioning their identity.

Cleary we are against any kind of assault, coercive control, sexual offences, harassment, and false imprisonment but these are already criminal offences under UK law.

We also accept that many people included some church leaders may take a different view on sexuality and gender identity to the traditional Christian view. But just as they are welcome to express this and to pray for people to follow that pathway, so should those who take a different view.

However, it is profoundly wrong to assume that abuse and harm are taking place when religious teaching is given on this topic of when opinions are expressed to an individual and a sinister attack on normal religious dialogue, and freedom of conscience.