The danger of banning prayer
I NOTE your Big Read article headed “They believe hell is real: Why all religious interventions on sexuality must end” (February 6).
Christians really do believe in things. They believe God made the universe. They believe Jesus was God and man and he died for sinners and came back to life. And yes, they believe hell – and heaven – are real. When Jesus said “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife”, they believe this tells us something important about marriage and sexuality. When the Bible says God created us male and female, they believe this is an unchangeable reality.
Of course, most people know these are the traditional, widely-held beliefs of the Christian Church worldwide. But some like to react with shock, astonished to find anyone who believes such things. It is a strategy to make our beliefs look suspect. They also caricature these beliefs and the people holding them. A particularly cynical strategy is to hijack concerns about mental health, portraying Christian beliefs “harmful” and deserving of being banned.
Many Christians are concerned a ban on conversion therapy is an attempt to outlaw aspects of ordinary Christian life. Physical and verbal abuse is already illegal. So what’s left to outlaw? Unfashionable beliefs?
The piece focused on Blair Anderson, leader of the End Conversion Therapy campaign, who says he experienced efforts to repress his sexuality as a teenager. We don’t have his family’s side of the story so we must take his word for it. He says his parents really did believe in heaven and hell. And says he was told to “live in a celibate and chaste way”. But this is the Christian sexual ethic.
Disagreements within families are always painful. Even well-meaning parents can get things wrong. But Blair’s response to what happened is to seek to punish Christians for their beliefs.
He’s not alone. His fellow activist, Jayne Ozanne, told the Scottish Parliament: “The sort of prayer … where any outcome is acceptable and right is good and should be encouraged. However, when there is a predetermined purpose I think that must be banned.”
Most people know when a Christian prays, they have a purpose in mind. But if that purpose reflects Christ’s teachings on sex or sexuality, some people want it banned.
It’s one thing to disagree with a person’s religion, it’s another thing to want to ban it.
Simon Calvert, Depute Director, The Christian Institute, Glasgow.
BLAIR Anderson is at odds with the Equality and Human Rights Commission when he says that “helping someone to live within the rules of their religion” can cross over into conversion therapy.
The commission has said that any legislation on conversion therapy must be carefully drafted in order not to catch legitimate and appropriate counselling, therapy or support which enables a person to explore their sexual orientation or gender dysphoria, and to avoid criminalising mainstream religious practice such as preaching, teaching and praying about sexual ethics. Furthermore, the commission said that LGBT people should not be prevented from “seeking spiritual support from their faith leader in the exploration of their sexual orientation or being transgender” and that “encouraging people to comply with religious doctrine that requires refraining from certain types of sexual activity should not fall within the definition of conversion therapy either”.
The commission’s eminently reasonable position allows people who want to explore their sexuality the freedom to seek support, advice and counselling. This may include support from a faith leader and recourse to religious teaching. A tolerant society will ensure that the space to explore and discuss these issues exists for those who want it.
Anthony Horan, Director, Catholic Parliamentary Office, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Airdrie.