In the debate over the Labour Government’s Conversion Practices Bill, Orthodox Christians looking for allies among the Church of England bishops in the House of Lords may be disappointed. Despite differing opinions within the church, a unified stance seems unlikely.
The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, has emerged as a prominent advocate for the Bill, which aims to safeguard LGBTQ+ individuals from harmful practices. The government unveiled the draft legislation on June 25, and Walker’s support has been both vocal and public.
As reported by The Church Times, Walker expressed, “The Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, has welcomed the Government’s ‘long overdue’ move to protect LGBTQ+ people in England and Wales from physical and psychological abuse by proposing a legal ban on conversion practices.”
Walker elaborated, “These have harmed LGBT+ people over many years, leaving many with lifelong trauma. This work is long overdue and comes after the General Synod of the Church of England voted, by a very large majority, in favour of the Government bringing forward a ban in 2017. I am pleased that this will bring an opportunity for consultation and scrutiny, so that substantial progress can at last be made.”
Walker’s reference to the 2017 General Synod vote favoring a ban on conversion therapy serves as a reminder to bishops who might be hesitant about the Bill’s impact on free speech and religious freedom. Resistance from within the church could lead to isolation among their peers.
Meanwhile, the Free Speech Union (FSU) has raised serious concerns over the Bill, launching a petition against it. The FSU argues that the proposed ban could have unintended implications.
The FSU contends, “The Government has announced it intends to press ahead with a ban on conversion therapy. Like most ‘bans’, this sounds benign. How could anyone not want to ban giving electric shocks to gay kids?
“But the fact is, that’s already against the law, as are all the other coercive practices conjured up by the phrase ‘conversion therapy’. So what is it the Government wants to ban, exactly? The answer is ‘converting’ children who think they’re trans to being ‘cisgendered’. That’s where the impetus for this ban has come from – well-funded pro-trans lobby groups like Stonewall and Mermaids.”
The FSU warns that the legislation could penalize parents and medical professionals who advise against transitioning for gender-confused children, as well as religious leaders who share traditional teachings on sexuality.
According to the FSU, “It won’t just be parents and medical professionals who will risk imprisonment for trying to talk gender-confused children out of mutilating themselves. Any religious leader who shares the teachings of their faith on issues like homosexuality and gay marriage could also face prosecution. That’s what this authoritarian Government wants to ban – any dissent from radical progressive orthodoxy when it comes to sex and gender.”
Toby Young, the General Secretary of the FSU and a member of the House of Lords, could potentially gather support from bishops who have reservations about the Bill. However, Walker’s influence may deter any open opposition.
The Church’s silent acquiescence to the Bill is seen by some as an indication of its spiritual and ideological state. Whether any dissent will emerge from the bishops’ benches remains uncertain, but any such opposition would likely face strong resistance.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
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