The state of Victoria is on the brink of passing a Bill* that would see someone face ten years in jail for engaging in anything it classifies as ‘conversion therapy’. The Bill details how it will be prohibited to provide a talking therapy, or prayer, even if requested to do so, resulting in people being denied the chance to explore aspects of their lives with a pastor or qualified therapist.
In his blog, Australian pastor Murray Campbell called for the ambiguity of the Bill, with regard to prayer, to be clarified. He writes: ‘For teaching abstinence or offering pastoral counselling in line with the Bible’s vision of sexuality, and praying with fellow believers that they will be godly … does this fall foul of the Bill?’
Campbell (pictured) condemned abusive practices. He noted that it is impossible for Christians to ‘distance themselves’ from them though. as the ideas were developed by secular groups, only a few extreme groups have used them, and most Christians don’t even know of those practices.
