Church leaders warn Starmer of hostility Christians face on ‘conversion therapy’

Religious illiteracy is breeding “unwarranted hostility” toward those in Bible-believing churches, the new Prime Minister has been told.

In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, church leaders from a range of denominations have expressed concern at “the way people talk about a legislative ban on so-called conversion therapy”. Full text of letter below.

They explain that: “Campaigners often imply that expressing mainstream, traditional Christian beliefs on sexuality or gender identity in pastoral conversations is, inherently, a form of ‘conversion therapy’.

“Some even want a conversion therapy ban to cover gentle, non-coercive prayer. This raises the alarming prospect of police and prosecutors having to decide whether someone has prayed ‘the wrong kind of prayer’.”

Labour is expected to move quickly on a new ‘conversion therapy’ law. In its manifesto, it committed to introducing “a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, while protecting the freedom for people to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity”. There are suggestions we could see legislation within the first 100 days of the new Government.

Officials claim that by including ‘safeguards’ similar to those found in former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle’s unsuccessful Private Member’s Bill, Labour will be able to produce workable legislation.

But independent legal advice is clear that the supposed safeguards in the Russell-Moyle Bill are worthless and simply won’t protect the ordinary work of churches.

It’s not just Christians who are at risk under the Government’s planned legislation, notes the letter:

“Conversations between parents and their children are also at risk from this broad definition of conversion therapy. This would affect gender-critical parents, not just those who are Christian.”

Explaining why he co-signed the letter, Revd Dr Matthew Roberts said:

“Christianity is essential to the history and culture of Britain, and remains a vital voice for the wellbeing of our society. Yet increasingly it seems as though some in Government are barely aware of the Church’s existence and almost wholly ignorant of what Christians believe and why. We very much hope that this new Government will recognise the vital contribution of Christians to Britain and will not (accidentally perhaps) legislate against them.”

Co-signatory Revd Graham Nicholls added:

“We want to be prayerful and supporting of the new Labour Government but have grave concerns about their proposals for a so-called conversion therapy ban. New legislation which will not make any difference to genuine abuse, which is already illegal, but will open the door to spurious accusations to be made against those who want the freedom to live out their Christian faith, and parents and pastors who uphold the Bible’s teaching on matters of sexuality and gender.”

The signatories have offered to meet with the new Government to help it “fill the religious illiteracy gap” and “better understand Christians and their beliefs”.

Dear Sir Keir Starmer,

Congratulations on becoming Prime Minister. Please be assured of our prayers for you and your Government.

We write as Christian ministers to express our concern at the lack of religious literacy in British public life and the unwarranted hostility this can breed towards those in Bible-believing churches like ours.

One of the major presenting issues is the way people talk about a legislative ban on so-called conversion therapy. Campaigners often imply that expressing mainstream, traditional Christian beliefs on sexuality or gender identity in pastoral conversations is, inherently, a form of ‘conversion therapy’.

Some even want a conversion therapy ban to cover gentle, non-coercive prayer. This raises the alarming prospect of police and prosecutors having to decide whether someone has prayed ‘the wrong kind of prayer’.

Conversations between parents and their children are also at risk from this broad definition of conversion therapy. This would affect gender-critical parents, not just those who are Christian.

We would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with you to discuss our concerns and to explore how we can help fill the religious literacy gap and help the Government better understand Christians and their beliefs.

Yours sincerely,

Revd Dr Thomas Brand

Ministry Director of the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches

Chairman of the Greater Love Declaration

Revd Graham Nicholls

Christ Church Haywards Heath

Director of Affinity Church Network

Revd Dr Ian Paul

St Nic’s Church Nottingham

Member of the Archbishops’ Council, Church of England

Revd Dr Matthew Roberts

Trinity Church York

Former Moderator of Synod, International Presbyterian Church

Rt Revd Andy Lines

Presiding Bishop of Anglican Network in Europe

Revd Dr Ian Hamilton

President of Westminster Seminary UK

Revd Bill James

Principal of London Seminary

Revd Dave Gobbett

Highfields Church Cardiff 

Revd Raymond Brown

East London Tabernacle Baptist Church

Revd David Pfeiffer

Whaddon Road Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales