from Christian Today
Elected representatives in Northern Ireland have warned that a proposed ban on conversion therapy has “many flaws” and is potentially “dangerous”.
Bans on supposedly abusive conversion therapy practices have been mooted across the British Isles. Christian and free-speech groups have raised concerns that any such law poses grave risks for parents and churches.
Critics point to the fact “abuse” within therapeutic contexts is already illegal and that a specific law could effectively criminalise parents refusing to affirm their child’s gender identity or church leaders praying for members of their congregation.
It has been suggested that the Conservative Party, although initially supportive of a conversion therapy ban when it was in office, later dropped the idea over fears it would be incompatible with human rights legislation relating to freedom of speech and religion.
Now Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Northern Ireland have begun sharing similar concerns.