Over 500 church leaders sign letter to Scot Govt opposing conversion therapy plans

Six church leaders from different denominations have written an open letter to the Scottish Government urging it to drop its plans for a Bill on ‘ending conversion practices’. More than 2,000 people have signed in support, including over 500 church leaders and pastoral workers. You can sign the letter here.

The letter, supported by Let Us Pray, has received good attention in the press – featuring in the Scottish Daily Express and The Scotsman – forcing the Government to acknowledge the strength of opposition to the plans ahead of its public consultation.

Just days after the letter made the headlines, the Government announced it will publish its consultation on ‘ending conversion practices’ on 9 January 2024, with a view to bringing forward legislation. The consultation will run for twelve weeks and will be an important opportunity for you to make your concerns known. Please ensure you are signed up to receive our emails, as we will be in touch with advice about how to respond once the consultation is live.

The letter to Holyrood’s Equalities Minister Emma Roddick is clear that existing law is sufficient to deal with abusive practices. Instead, the proposed legislation threatens to criminalise the orthodox belief and practice of churches.

It points to the conversion therapy law in Victoria, Australia, which both Holyrood’s Equalities Committee and the Government’s Expert Advisory Group have called on the Government to emulate. It warns that the Victoria law demonstrates the problem that the Government will face should it push ahead with its plans: “It is not possible to satisfy the demands of pro-ban activists whilst also protecting basic religious freedoms.” You can read the full letter here.

Explaining why he co-signed the letter, Reverend Dr William Philip said:

“The Scottish Government’s planned ‘conversion therapy’ Bill would see parents and churches in the firing line simply for daring to disagree with LGBT orthodoxy. The LGBT activists behind this Bill want to target not abuse and coercion – which are already illegal – but ‘private prayer’ and ‘casual conversations’ if the content does not affirm their ideology.

“What we see in Victoria, Australia, is that once legislators start down this route of outlawing so-called ‘conversion therapy’, very soon churches are being told by the State how they can pray and what they can and cannot teach. As history shows, when such religious freedom is lost, other freedoms disappear very rapidly thereafter.”

Co-signatory Reverend Stephen Allison also commented:

“Central to the Christian faith is the call for people – all people – to turn to Christ for forgiveness from sin. It is what shapes our belief and practice as Christians. But those pushing for a ‘conversion therapy’ Bill are clear that they want a ban to include Christian teaching on sin and repentance.

“It is our responsibility as ministers to help our congregations live for Christ in all areas of life. The proposed legislation threatens to silence the legitimate prayerful and pastoral support that we can give to those questioning sexual ethics and gender. It also threatens parents’ ability to have loving conversations with their children about sexuality and gender.”

Every signature counts. So if you live in Scotland, please do consider signing the letter.