Conversion therapy
from en:
Dr Peter May helps us to understand the main debate at the recent General Synod of the Church of England.
Did anyone understand it?
The General Synod debate on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for homosexuals in a Private Member’s Motion brought by ‘inclusive evangelical’ Jayne Ozanne, was destined to be problematic.
Thirty years ago, General Synod passed The Higton Motion on homosexuality, which has determined CofE policy ever since. With enormous complexity, Tony Higton’s Motion was amended and amended. In fact only the first two words of the Motion carrying his name, survived: ‘This Synod…’ The substance of the amended amendment, which has stood the test of time, came from the Bishop of Chester, Michael Baughen.
The recent Synod debate had all of the complexities of the 1987 debate, but none of the Episcopal leadership. The motion itself was obscure from the outset. What sort of therapies were to be ‘banned’, and where does ‘conversion’ come into this? Synod members then had to cope quickly with the nuances of numerous amendments, before suddenly casting their votes.
Central issue
This isn’t the place to analyse the tortuous progress of the debate1 but only to highlight the central issues. Conversion therapy comes with a long and difficult history.
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