The Evangelical Alliance (EA), of which CEEC is a member, has encouraged evangelicals to respond to the Draft Conversion Practices Bill, ahead of the deadline for evidence tomorrow (13 November).
Christians are being encouraged to have their say in response to the Government’s consultation on its Draft Conversion Practices Bill, amid serious concerns that the proposed legislation is too vague and could have far-reaching consequences for families and churches.
The Government’s call for evidence, which includes 16 questions, provides an important opportunity for people to make their voices heard and highlight the potential impact of the proposed legislation.
The fundamental concern is that the draft Bill lacks sufficiently clear definitions of what constitutes a ‘prohibited conversion practice’ and what activities are protected, creating considerable uncertainty for parents, churches and Christian organisations.
As EA has highlighted, ‘existing laws already provide ways of addressing violence, coercion and abuse, wherever they occur’. The concern is that the proposed legislation could introduce new criminal offences without adequately distinguishing abusive behaviour from everyday parenting, Christian teaching and pastoral care.
The knock-on effect might be that parents could feel unable to have ordinary conversations with their children, while churches and ministers may become increasingly fearful to preach, pray or offer pastoral support on questions of faith, identity and sexuality for fear of facing prosecution.
Revd John Dunnett, National Director of CEEC, said:
“While we are profoundly aware of the reality of gender dysphoria and the struggles that accompany it, we are concerned that this bill has the potential to drive a coach and horses through a biblical understanding of what it means to be human and will enshrine new narratives in law.
“This draft legislation could leave parents and churches vulnerable to prosecution. We need clarity about what it is seeking to prohibit and what it is seeking to protect. Our concern is that this Bill, in its current form, fails to make that distinction adequately.”
There is no requirement to answer all 16 questions. Respondents can focus on the questions most relevant to them or organise their submission thematically. EA has provided a set of simple instructions on how to respond. The deadline is tomorrow, 13 November.
