Christian leaders warn Rishi Sunak over conversion therapy plans

More than 1,400 Christian ministers have written to Rishi Sunak to warn him over government "conversion therapy" proposals.

A letter to the Prime Minister organised by the Greater Love Declaration says church officiants and parents risk being criminalised by the plans.

The church leaders state: "We write to express our serious concerns about the Government’s newly-restated aim to legislate against so-called ‘conversion therapy’." They add: "It has become increasingly clear that further legislation on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ is not only unnecessary – since abusive ‘therapies’ have long been illegal – but it is also likely to criminalise innocent parents, teachers, and church leaders. Indeed, this seems to be the goal of at least some of those most eager for a new law."

"Christianity prioritises denying oneself, including in matters of sexual desire, for the good of others: for the benefit of society in general and for the protection of children in particular. We firmly believe that Christian teaching on marriage, the family and human identity is of vast benefit to all people. Despite the unfair portrayal of our position by some activists, it offers profound compassion and love to all.

"Yet it is this standard Christian teaching which is at grave risk of being outlawed by the proposed legislation. When Liz Truss, as former Minister for Women and Equalities published the consultation document on this matter in 2021, we along with over two and a half thousand ministers wrote to her to point out that the proposals it contained would do exactly that."

The letter continues: "We are grateful for your assurance to fellow MPs that ‘the freedom to express the teachings of any religion, as well as every day religious practice, will not be affected by the ban’. But we remain unconvinced that the Government will be able to avoid exactly this in the passage of this legislation. We urge that this confused proposal be dropped."

In a statement, the UK Government Equalities Office said that there are "clearly issues" with the proposals that "are not fully resolved”. “We are determined that legislation will not cause harm to children and young adults experiencing gender-related distress by inadvertently impacting on legitimate conversations parents or clinicians may have with their children. Pre-legislative scrutiny exists to prevent this, and other unintended consequences, by utilising stakeholder expertise and input from parliamentarians.”