Great Britain Letter

The Westminster Government is expected to bring forward a draft ‘conversion therapy’ Bill for England and Wales soon. The Scottish Government has also asked Westminster to legislate on its behalf.

In response, 24 church leaders from a range of denominations have written an open letter to the new UK Equalities Minister, Olivia Bailey, to express their grave concerns.

We are inviting anyone in England, Wales and Scotland to add their name in support. Names and information will not be made public or passed on to anyone.

Dear Ms Bailey,

We write as church leaders representing many thousands of Christians across Great Britain. We understand that a draft ‘conversion practices’ Bill is currently being considered by No.10 and wanted to write to express our concerns.

We are deeply concerned that the Westminster Government’s plans for a “full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices” could criminalise mainstream, historic Christian teaching on marriage and sexual ethics, and make sharing the Gospel with some people illegal. We are also concerned it could prevent parents from guiding their children on matters of sexuality and gender, and from urging caution if their child says they want to undergo gender treatment.

As Christians, we oppose abuse of any kind and are grateful for the many good laws that exist. However, the lead campaigners for a new law routinely conflate the ordinary work of churches with abuse. They imply that merely expressing Christian beliefs on sexuality and gender in prayer and pastoral conversations constitutes ‘conversion therapy’ and should be outlawed. Humanists UK has even called for repentance – which is central to the Gospel – to be included in a ban.

Independent legal opinions from multiple leading KCs affirm that existing law in this area is already sufficient to protect everyone from abuse. They are also clear that granting activists the kind of broad new law they seek risks criminalising a wide range of innocent Christian activities, including prayer, pastoral conversations and evangelism.

The conversion therapy laws in operation in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales show this is not a hypothetical concern. Under Victoria’s Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act, it is unlawful not to affirm a person’s declared gender identity. Official state guidance on how to comply with the law tells Christians how to pray and what they can and cannot teach –effectively imposing a new state-mandated theology. The guidance also stated until recently that a parent discouraging their child from taking puberty blockers is guilty of unlawful conversion therapy. This was only removed following a backlash. Similarly in New South Wales, encouraging celibacy outside of marriage, as Christians have done for 2,000 years, could constitute a criminal offence.

We are grateful the Government says it wants to respect the role of religious leaders and parents. However, we remain convinced that it will not be possible to draft legislation in this area that does not infringe on the ordinary work of churches and family life.

Yours sincerely,

Revd Paul Levy
International Presbyterian Church Ealing

Revd Raymond Brown
East London Tabernacle Baptist Church

Revd Stephen Allison
Kiltarlity Free Church
Public Engagement Coordinator for the Free Church of Scotland

Rt Revd Andy Lines
Presiding Bishop of Anglican Network in Europe

Revd Graham Nicholls
Christ Church Haywards Heath
Director of Affinity Church Network

Revd Dr Ian Paul
St Nic’s Church, Nottingham
Member of the General Synod and the Archbishops’ Council, Church of England

Revd Dr William Philip
The Tron Church, Glasgow
Chairman of Cornhill Scotland

Revd Dave Gobbett
Highfields Church, Cardiff 

Revd Dr Matthew Roberts
Trinity Church York
Former Moderator of Synod, International Presbyterian Church

Revd Dr Thomas Brand
Ministry Director of the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches
Chairman of the Greater Love Declaration

Rt Revd Tim Davies
Diocesan Bishop of Anglican Network in Europe

Revd Jeremy Bailey
Chair of the Evangelical Movement of Wales Trustees

Revd Rupert Standring
St Peter’s Fulham

Pastor Phil Heaps
Highbury Baptist Church

Revd Nathan Owens
Gilcomston Church, Aberdeen

Revd Martin Ayers
St Silas’ Church, Glasgow

Revd Dr Andrew Latimer
Grace Church Greenwich

Pastor Mike Judge
Chorlton Evangelical Church, Manchester

Revd Paul Rees
Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh

Revd David Scott
Inshes East Church of Scotland, Inverness

Donald John MacLean
President of Westminster Seminary UK
Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England and Wales

Andy Mason
Mission Director for the Co-mission Network

Bill James
Principal of London Seminary

Pastor James Muldoon
Duke Street Church