A coalition of 20 church leaders has written to the Scottish government urging it to rethink a proposed law to ban so called ‘conversion practices’.
They warn that the suggested language in the bill is so broad that it risks criminalising “innocent Christians for teaching what Christians have always taught”.
The Scottish National Party (SNP)-led government has pledged to introduce the bill by the end of the year.
Christian Today reports that in a letter to Minister for Equalities Emma Roddick, leaders of the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Elim Pentecostal Church and others wrote that a ‘conversion therapy’ ban would go far beyond outlawing abuse and coercion.
Their letter explained that “the process of becoming a Christian through repentance, turning from sin and accepting Jesus is often described as ‘conversion'”.
They argued that meant the proposed law would criminalise ordinary Christians and church leaders for expressing mainstream orthodox beliefs.
“Indeed, for some of those calling for a ban, this would seem to be the express purpose,” the leaders wrote.
“We could never support abuse or coercion which are completely at odds with the Bible’s teaching. But we have a duty to lead our congregations in living for Christ, in the way He has taught us. And that means teaching what the Bible says about all areas of life – including sexuality and gender,” they contended.
“An evidence-based case for a new law has not been made and no gaps in existing law have been identified. Yet the Scottish government is continuing to press ahead with a law that could see ordinary Christians criminalised for merely expressing their beliefs,” the leaders lamented.
Christian Today revealed their letter also raised serious concerns about some of the recommendations from the Scottish Government’s Expert Advisory Group on Ending Conversion Practices.
In a report last October, the group suggested that teaching “the importance of marriage” should be covered by the ban and recommended “the modification, or even withdrawal” of parental rights “where parents or guardians have engaged in ‘conversion practices.'”
It recommended that for clergy or other members of a religious institution who violated the ban, the legal consequences “may include the withdrawal of the perpetrator’s professional licence as a faith leader or removal of their ability to work within Scotland in the said institution, or withdrawal of the institution’s charity status where the institution is not regulated”.
“Religious and cultural obligations play a huge part in why people may suppress being LGBT+. These norms are enforced and embedded from early childhood, often in subtle ways which impact significantly,” the Expert Advisory Group claimed.
Its report suggested that those suspected of engaging in conversion practices should receive “targeted education” and concluded that a ban on conversion practices “does not lead to an unlawful restriction of freedom of religion” because freedom of religion is not an absolute right; it meets its restrictions where it unduly infringes the human rights of others.”
Reverend Dr. William Philip, minister of The Tron Church in Glasgow and co-signatory of the letter to Ms. Roddick, said the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group were “alarming”.
Christian Today quotes him as saying: “The presentation as a law to protect LGBT+ people from abuse is disingenuous; all such abuse and coercion is already, quite rightly, illegal. It is these proposals which are abusive towards ordinary people, including loving parents protective of their children [which are alarming] – by criminalising simply speaking with them, praying for them, or daring to disagree with LGBT+ ideology.”
“Threatening to punish church leaders and churches for upholding Christian teaching; terrorising mothers and fathers with the spectre of removing their parental rights for simply trying to help their children navigate normal adolescence – are these really the marks of a free and tolerant society?” he questioned.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government told the Herald: “Our aim is to address harmful acts; not general guidance, advice and support provided by parents or religious leaders.”
