Christian Advocates Warn UK Conversion Therapy Ban Could Criminalize Biblical Teaching

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

LONDON (Worthy News) – Christian advocates warned Tuesday that British government plans to ban so-called “conversion therapy” could criminalize parents, pastors, and other believers for expressing Biblical teaching on sexuality and gender.

The Evangelical Alliance umbrella group said it firmly opposed attempts to change a person’s sexuality through force or coercion, but stressed that existing laws already prohibit abuse and questioned the need for additional legislation.

“At the very heart of the Christian faith stands a simple, glorious truth: the gospel of Jesus Christ brings transformation. It is not advice or affirmation of who we already are, but the good news that we can be changed, redeemed, restored, and made new,” said leading Christian advocate Andrea Minichiello Williams.

“As Scripture declares: ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,’” Williams added, referring to Romans 12:2.

GOSPEL ‘UNDER THREAT’

“This is the hope the church has proclaimed for 2,000 years. It is the hope offered freely to all: whatever our past, whatever our struggles, whatever our desires, our Lord Jesus Christ calls us, saves us, and transforms us. And it is precisely this truth that now stands under threat,” she stressed.

Williams argued that while Christians reject coercion, abuse, or degrading treatment, existing laws already make such conduct illegal and punishable.

She questioned why the government believes additional legislation is necessary, saying ministers have yet to present evidence that existing laws are insufficient or that new criminal offenses are required.

According to Williams, the proposed Conversion Practices Bill goes beyond outlawing abuse by potentially extending into conversations, prayer, pastoral care, parental guidance, and expressions of Christian belief.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FEARS

She warned that the law could effectively delegitimize longstanding church ministry by classifying efforts to encourage people to live according to Biblical teaching as prohibited “conversion practices.”

Williams said pastors praying with willing church members, parents guiding their children according to their Christian beliefs, Christian counselors supporting those seeking to live by Biblical values, or churches teaching traditional Christian doctrine on sexuality could all come under legal scrutiny.

She also warned of a potential “chilling effect,” with pastors, parents, churches, and Christian ministries becoming reluctant to pray, counsel, or offer spiritual guidance because of fears of prosecution or legal complaints.

Concerned Christians say the bill creates legal uncertainty by failing to clearly distinguish between coercive practices and voluntary prayer, pastoral care, or faith-based counseling sought by consenting adults.

BILL REMAINS UNDER DEBATE

Supporters of the proposed legislation say it is needed to protect people from harmful practices intended to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Critics argue that existing criminal laws already prohibit coercion and abuse while warning that broadly drafted legislation could undermine religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and voluntary pastoral care for people seeking to live according to Christian convictions.

The debate in Britain reflects wider tensions across Europe over how to balance protections against what critics call “coercive conversion practices” with religious freedom and the rights of Bible-believing Christians.

The British government has said it intends to introduce legislation banning conversion practices while safeguarding legitimate religious expression, although the final wording of the bill has not yet been published.

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