PM called to address hostility Christians face over ‘conversion therapy’

Religious illiteracy on sexual ethics and gender is fuelling “unwarranted hostility” toward Bible-believing churches, the new Prime Minister has been told.

In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, leaders from a range of Christian denominations expressed particular concern at the “lack of religious literacy” in public discourse on so-called conversion therapy.

Signatories to the letter – including Revd Dr Thomas Brand, Chairman of the Greater Love Declaration – offered to help the new Government “better understand Christians and their beliefs”.

Risks

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

the alarming prospect of police and prosecutors having to decide whether someone has prayed ‘the wrong kind of prayer’

“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.”

Along with assuring Sir Keir of their prayers, they said that they “would be grateful” for the opportunity to meet him to discuss their concerns and to “explore how we can help fill the religious literacy gap”.

Christian heritage

Co-signatory to the letter Revd Dr Matthew Roberts commented: “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.”

Manifesto

In its manifesto, Labour promised to introduce “a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, while protecting the freedom for people to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity”.

Earlier this year, the then Shadow Equalities Minister Anneliese Dodds stated that “any ban must not cover legitimate psychological support and treatment”.

She also said any new legislation in this area must not criminalise “non-directive” pastoral relationships between “religious leaders and their worshippers”, or “discussions within families”.