What does the Government mean by ‘conversion therapy’?

The Government wants to ban it but hasn't really said what 'it' is. In reality, ‘conversion therapy’ is a wide umbrella term chosen by LGBT campaigners. It covers grotesque illegal assaults such as 'corrective rape' and abusive quack medical practices like electric shock 'therapy'.

But the campaigners want to go much further. They say: ‘Any form of... persuading someone to change their sexual... behaviour... or gender identity should be illegal’.

It shouldn’t be illegal for Christians to teach their faith, or for people to pray for their friends, but that's clearly what the campaigners want.

Don't just take our word for it. Here they are in their own words:

A lot of [conversion therapy] is just talking to a religious leader, such as a priest or a pastor. It's people who come out to their parents who then tell them they need to seek spiritual guidance and support.

- Tiernan Mason, Anti Conversion Therapy Coalition

SOURCE: Irish Daily Mail, 1 May 2021

It’s very important that [a ban is] comprehensive and covers every aspect … covering gender as well as sexuality, covering prayer and not providing loopholes for religious settings, and importantly, covering informal conversion therapy, stuff that happens behind closed doors, often at the hands of families, rather than an institutionalised form of conversion therapy.

- Blair Anderson, End Conversion Therapy Scotland

SOURCE: Ban Conversion Therapy NI Facebook Live, 20 May 2021, see www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=941253123082795 as at 9 July 2021

Supporters

Let Us Pray is a campaign of The Christian Institute supported by:

Revd Calvin Robinson

Revd Calvin Robinson

Conservative commentator.

Simon Calvert

Simon Calvert

A Deputy Director at The Christian Institute and head of successful campaigns Reform Section 5, NO2NP and others.

Revd Dr Matthew PW Roberts

Revd Dr Matthew PW Roberts

Minister of Trinity Church York and former Moderator of the International Presbyterian Church.

Revd Dr Ian Paul

Revd Dr Ian Paul

Associate Minister of St Nic's Church Nottingham and Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Dr Stuart Waiton

Dr Stuart Waiton

Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at Abertay University.

Revd Graham Nicholls

Revd Graham Nicholls

Pastor at Christ Church Haywards Heath and Director of Affinity.

Dr Julie Maxwell MBBCh MRCPCH

Dr Julie Maxwell MBBCh MRCPCH

Retired Community Paediatrician, Deputy Director of Lovewise, trustee of Family Education Trust and General Synod Member (CofE).

Revd David Gobbett

Revd David Gobbett

Lead Pastor of Highfields Church Cardiff.

Revd Raymond Brown

Revd Raymond Brown

Senior Minister of East London Tabernacle Baptist.

Revd Stephen Allison

Revd Stephen Allison

Minister of Kiltarlity Free Church of Scotland, Assistant Clerk to the General Assembly and Public Engagement Coordinator for the Free Church of Scotland.