We should all be concerned at how proposed ban on conversion therapy could impact on faith

It talks about all sorts of wonderful ideals like preventing harm and discrimination - none of which anyone would object to.

However, when the motion proposed by Paula Bradshaw, John Blair and Andrew Muir goes on to say that the Assembly believes that “any form of counselling or actions to persuade someone ... to change their sexual orientation … no matter what the reason, religious or otherwise, should be illegal” the alarm bells should start to ring in any free society.

If legislation along these lines was to pass it would criminalise Jesus Christ for teaching that the only sexual union permitted is between one man and one woman united in marriage (Mark 10:5-9).

The Apostle Paul would certainly be prosecuted.

I Corinthians 6:9-10 records a list of sins committed by the Christians of Corinth before their conversion. The Apostle says that had the Christians not repented of their sins and given up their old lifestyles they would not have entered the kingdom of God. Included in the vice list is homosexuality.

If you criminalise Paul for teaching that Christ saves from homosexuality then you deny people the opportunity of the experience outlined in I Corinthians 9:11: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

There are fundamental issues at stake here around freedom of speech and religion.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that this isn’t a case of Stormont accepting or rejecting a motion with no prospect of anything ever appearing in statue. Sinn Fein Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin is on record as saying that she wants to seen legislation banning “conversion therapy”.

I have no interest in defending “conversion therapy” and all that goes with that term but we should all be concerned about the way in which this proposal is framed when it comes to faith.

Earlier this month Belfast City Council agreed to erect a statue to celebrated abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Interestingly, it was a Sinn Fein proposal and I can find no record of Alliance objecting. Yet this is the same Fredrick Douglass who famously said:

“Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power. Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, founded in injustice and wrong, are sure to tremble, if men are allowed to reason of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come in their presence.”

If Alliance aren’t concerned that their proposal would criminalise Jesus Christ or the Apostle Paul perhaps they will reflect on whether they should really support legislation which would criminalise Fredick Douglass?

Samuel Morrison, Traditional Unionist Dromore Co Down.

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