In Northern Ireland, the proposal to ban ‘conversion therapy’ is sparking debate about its true targets and impacts. The Christian Institute (CI) has highlighted that complaints regarding such practices are virtually non-existent, raising questions about the necessity and implications of the proposed legislation.
Information obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the CI showed that both the Belfast Trust and Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Trust have received few, if any, complaints related to ‘conversion therapy.’ Specifically, the Belfast Trust reported no more than five instances, and the Northern Ireland Trust recorded none.
The proposed legislation aims to prohibit ‘conversion therapy’ practices, with potential penalties including significant fines and lengthy prison sentences. This could affect parents and religious leaders attempting to guide children away from LGBTQ identities or gender transitions, as per the new regulations.
A recent government-funded report, which involved LGBTQ advocacy groups, suggested that activities such as prayer, Bible study, and religious teachings could be viewed as forms of conversion practices under the new law.
James Kennedy, the NI Policy Officer for the CI, expressed skepticism about the necessity of such legislation, arguing that the practices of concern have long since ceased. He indicated that the proposed law might instead aim to silence those opposed to LGBTQ ideology.
According to Kennedy, “The truth is that a new law on conversion therapy would infringe on the freedoms of ordinary, innocent people who reject LGBTQ+ ideology. It would impact especially Christians who seek to uphold biblical teaching on marriage and gender, and parents who caution a child against gender transition.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
