Conversion therapy plans pose threat to churches, campaigners warn

A proposed ban on conversion therapy pledged by the UK Government could impinge upon the rights of Christians, campaigners have warned.

Legal advice commissioned by The Christian Institute states that new plans outlined by UK Ministers could infringe on the right of churches and religious organisations to discuss sexuality and "gender identity".

The advice, from Jason Coppel KC, said that if the ban were similar to the one recently enacted in the Australian state of Victoria, it would “prohibit actions in a range of commonplace situations".

“It follows that, in our view, any prohibition of conversion therapy going beyond the existing criminal law raises serious issues of compatibility with Convention rights", the KC said.

“The definition of conversion therapy to which any such prohibition is to apply must be carefully circumscribed if it is not to infringe the Convention rights of Christians and Christian church organisations to manifest and express their religious beliefs."

Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Institute, said a move to prevent Christians offering spiritual guidance and prayer on issues addressed in the Bible would be "tyrannical and unworkable".

And he indicated that The Christian Institute would seek a judicial review of the forthcoming legislation if the government fails to protect churches from disproportionate interference.

Mr Calvert commented: “The Christian Institute is not opposed to banning conversion therapy if that means protecting people from dangerous medical practices. But the ideological motivated campaigners are on record as saying ‘spiritual guidance’ is really just religious speak for conversion therapy’."

"Most people would be horrified by the prospect of someone being convicted for praying ‘the wrong kind of prayer’. We must not allow activists to exploit legitimate concerns as a cover for pursuing anti-religious agendas.”

In a letter sent to all MPs this week, Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch pledged to ensure the government's conversion therapy ban will not criminalise the ordinary work of churches and parenting.

She restated the Government’s commitment to pre-legislative scrutiny in the current parliamentary session, saying it would help make sure church leaders, teachers and parents “continue to be able to have exploratory conversations with people about their sexual orientation, sex or gender identity”.