Core Issues Trust responds to Bishop’s claims on Synod ‘conversion therapy’ vote
[From an unpublished letter to The Times].
Dear Editor,
The Rt Rev Graham James (Letters, July 27 [see article here]) implies that General Synod voted only to ban “conversion therapy” as opposed to “prayer or accredited counselling” for people uncomfortable with their sexuality. But the underlying Memorandum of Understanding restricts the latter to helping people to “reach a greater degree of acceptance of their sexual orientation” – not to move away from it.
This automatically discriminates against a married man with children who has a particularly urgent reason to want to move away from unwanted same-sex attraction and practices. He will quickly find that political correctness is against him; therapy to encourage movement towards ‘gay’ is acceptable but to move the other way along the spectrum is forbidden. Any therapist who does not toe the line will be unable to attain professional accreditation. There is therefore already a de facto ban in place, preventing freedom of self-determination.
The Church knows that no randomised controlled trial of therapeutic effectiveness exists; the only evidence is anecdotal. Likewise, the evidence of harm is anecdotal and the Royal College of Psychiatrists and UK Council for Psychotherapy have refused to provide this information in response to repeated requests. They protect themselves by using the qualifier ‘potentially’ (harmful).
The Church is supporting the unchristian proposition that the only acceptable option for a man in these circumstances is to abandon his family and follow his desires. Shame on the Church!
Dr. Mike Davidson,
CEO: Core Issues Trust
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