Conversion Therapy
The Labour government wants to ban what it calls "abusive" practices intended to change people's sexual orientation or their gender identity. According to the British Psychological Society (BPS), conversion therapy - sometimes called "reparative therapy" or "gay cure therapy" - tries to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. In a list collated by government and LGBTQ agencies includes prayer and fasting as a method used for conversion therapy. The BPS and other professional bodies, including NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, have warned that all types of conversion therapy are "unethical and potentially harmful". The new Labour government has said it will introduce a Conversion Practices Bill, to ban practices aimed at changing or suppressing someone's gender identity or sexual orientation in England and Wales. (BBC. What is conversion therapy, 2024)
The irony here is that the BBC call conversion therapy a suppression of their true identity, when the bible actually says that homosexuality is a by product of the individual suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Paul continues in verse 27 by saying, “the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.” Those who say that the Bible is not clear about the issue of homosexuality are playing fast and loose with God’s Word. They have conformed themselves to the world and not to Christ.
The Church of England, does not officiate gay weddings, yet, but it has said the any form of conversion therapy has "no place in the modern world". They also allow prayers of support to same sex couples and allow clergy to enter a civil partnership. It is clear that the Church of England is a sinking ship, despite the efforts of a few to try and take the water out, it too is descending into the depths of worldliness and immorality. They have hit the ice berg that that the bible has spoken about with tremendous clarity. There is no debate. Homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). And yet, like all sins, with God’s help, it can be overcome (Romans 6:17–18; 1 Corinthians 6:11; James 4:7–8). The bible does not give a variety of prescriptions or methods that many would call conversion therapy. God is not interested in behaviour modification. A true conversion must first take place in the heart, and this can only come by the power of God.
Historic practices such as electro-shock therapy, nausea-inducing drugs and exposure to heterosexual pornography are completely unbiblical and contradict what the Bible teaches about how to help someone overcome temptation. But a rejection of the specific methods used in conversion/reparative therapy is not the same thing as surrendering to the idea that homosexuality cannot be overcome. Faith in Jesus Christ, a commitment to obeying God’s Word, and a reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit is the only way to gain victory over sin. This is only achieved by the love and power of God, which is available to all who repent and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Those surrendered to God will live by denying themselves, taking up their cross, and following Christ (Matthew 16:24–26). Sins, including homosexuality, can be overcome. Paul reminded the believers in Corinth that, before they received Christ, some of them were homosexuals, “but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Their homosexuality was a sin of the past, and they had abandoned that sin by the grace of God.
