Christian advocates are warning that British Labour government plans to ban so-called “conversion therapy” could criminalise parents, pastors, and other believers for expressing Biblical teaching on sexuality and gender.
The Evangelical Alliance umbrella group said it firmly opposed attempts to change a person’s sexuality through force or coercion, but stressed that existing laws already prohibit abuse and questioned the need for additional legislation.
The proposed Conversion Practices Bill could effectively delegitimise long-standing church ministry by classifying efforts to encourage people to live according to Biblical teaching as prohibited acts, according to Andrea Williams, Founder and Chief Executive of advocacy group Christian Concern.
She said pastors praying with willing church members; parents guiding their children according to their Christian beliefs; Christian counsellors supporting those seeking to live by Biblical values; or churches teaching traditional Christian doctrine on sexuality, could all come under legal scrutiny.
BIBLICAL TRUTH UNDER THREAT FROM PROPOSED UK LAW
“At the very heart of the Christian faith stands a simple, glorious truth: the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings transformation,” Ms. Williams proclaimed.
“It is not advice or affirmation of who we already are, but the Good News that we can be changed, redeemed, restored, and made new.”
“As Scripture declares: Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” Ms. Williams added, referring to Romans 12:2.
“This is the hope the church has proclaimed for 2,000 years and is offered freely to all: whatever our past, whatever our struggles, whatever our desires, our Lord Jesus Christ calls us, saves us, and transforms us.”
“It is precisely this truth that now stands under threat from this proposed law.”
“PROPOSED LAW COULD SILENCE PASTORS, PARENTS AND CHURCHES”
Ms. Williams alerted Christians to a potential “chilling effect,” with pastors, parents, churches, and Christian ministries becoming reluctant to pray, counsel, or offer spiritual guidance — because of fears of prosecution or legal complaints — if this law is enacted.
Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of the UK’s Christian Institute points out: “In other jurisdictions with anti-conversion laws, psychiatrists and psychologists are already too afraid to help transgender children for fear of being accused of ‘conversion therapy.’
Both Christian advocates underlined that government ministers have yet to present evidence that existing laws are insufficient or that new criminal offences are required.
WHO WILL DECIDE ON WHAT IS AN EXEMPTION FOR ‘LEGITIMATE HEALTHCARE’?
Supporters of the proposed legislation say it is needed to protect people from “harmful practices” intended to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Critics argue that existing criminal laws already prohibit coercion and abuse, while warning that broadly drafted legislation could undermine religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and voluntary pastoral care for people seeking to live according to Christian convictions.
The move comes as ministers prepare to restart a controversial puberty blocker trial involving children as young as 11, prompting concerns that the Labour government is pursuing an increasingly interventionist approach to gender-related issues affecting young people.
The Christian Institute’s Simon Calvert questions: “The Government says there will be an exemption for ‘legitimate healthcare’, but who will decide what is legitimate?”
“They know it is going to be interpreted expansively by trans activists to accuse practitioners who don’t embrace their ideology.”
“AFTER 8 YEARS, THE BEST DRAFT IS WIDE OPEN TO MISUSE”
Mr. Calvert queried: “After eight years and five Prime Ministers, is this the best draft they can come up with?”
“The Bill would see parents, professionals and pastors having to answer to the police for innocent conversations that trans activists claim are abusive. “
“It’s wide open to misuse.”
“It will be easy to allege that a parent who doesn’t go along with a child’s wish to transition and does their best to keep them away from the influence of trans activists, could be accused of using emotional or financial pressure to stop them being trans,” he argued.
UK MODELS ITS BILL ON VICTORIA’S ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS
Like Andrea Williams, Simon Calvert notes: “The Government claims there are loopholes in the current law without giving a single real world example of anyone who went to the police and was not able to get redress under existing law.”
“If there were cases, we would know about them.“
“We’ve seen where this ends up. [LGBT advocate] Stonewall praises the conversion therapy law in Victoria, Australia as best practice.”
“But Victoria’s Equality Commission recently issued guidance on the ban telling parents to ask their children: What pronouns and other language they would like you to use?“
“The Commission previously told parents that refusing consent to puberty blockers was conversion therapy.”
OTHER RELIGIONS ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS
It’s not just Christians who are concerned about this UK bill.
Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities are also warning that the proposed law has created a chilling effect on their pastoral care and religious ministry.
The debate in Britain reflects wider tensions across Europe over how to balance protections against what critics call “coercive conversion practices” with religious freedom and the rights of Bible-believing Christians.
The UK government claims it will safeguard legitimate religious expression, but this is questionable until the final wording of the bill is published which is still awaited.
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