(CP) – Christians in the Australian state of Victoria are fearing for their religious freedom after the legislature voted to ban so-called conversion therapy. The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill criminalizes practices seeking to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Christians have voiced concern over a subclause making it an offense to carry out “a religious practice, including but not limited to, a prayer based practice, a deliverance practice or an exorcism.” Church leaders in the state fear that they could fall foul of the law simply for offering prayer or counseling to someone struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Under the bill, conducting suppression practices carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years or a $10,000 fine. Ahead of the vote, dozens of faith leaders raised their opposition in an open letter to Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria.
“Religious organizations, parents and families, faith-based schools, ministries, and other individuals will face scrutiny, investigation, censorship, significant jail terms and large fines for exercising their religious duty to teach or advise individuals who request support to maintain adherence to religious constructs of sexuality and gender,” they wrote. READ MORE
