Issues

PM warned that conversion therapy ban ‘likely to criminalise church leaders’

Church leaders have called on the Government to drop its highly controversial plans to ban ‘conversion therapy’.

The authors of the Greater Love Declaration wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch to warn them that the legislation is “likely to criminalise innocent parents, teachers and church leaders”.

The letter follows the Government announcing last week that it intends to press ahead with a ban on so-called conversion therapy for gay and transgender people.

False narrative

The declaration, which affirms Christian teaching on marriage, sex and identity, has been signed by almost 1,400 UK church leaders from different denominations.

likely to criminalise innocent parents, teachers and church leaders

Co-author Revd Dr Matthew Roberts said: “Christians firmly reject any attempt to coerce or abuse, as it defies Christian teaching at the most basic level. We are grateful that this is already illegal.

“Instead, many of those demanding this legislation are pushing a narrative that traditional orthodox Christian beliefs are harmful. They have made clear they are unwilling to accept a new law which does not criminalise ordinary believers and Christian leaders.

“More than three thousand Christians in the UK have signed the Greater Love Declaration. Of these, well over a thousand are in recognised ministry positions. They have committed to continuing to teach Christian sexual ethics, even if it becomes illegal to do so.”

pushing a narrative that traditional orthodox Christian beliefs are harmful

‘Unintended consequences’

He continued: “The Declaration sets out the foundational Christian teaching that we are to lay down our own desires in self-sacrifice for others. That is the ‘greater love’ to which Christ calls us. This is the basis of all Christian ethics, and foundational to the Christian view of marriage.

“It is a profoundly good teaching that benefits all, yet many are now calling for such orthodox views to be criminalised.”

“The Government has said that it wants to protect religious freedom. That is a very welcome aim. But we remain unconvinced that the Government can avoid unintended consequences in the passage of this Bill.”

The letter’s authors also wrote the Ministers’ consultation response when the Government asked for opinions on its plans in December 2021. It was signed by over 2,500 ministers and pastoral workers, and sent to then Equalities Minister Liz Truss.