Prayer-based religious practices are included in a bill introduced to the Victorian Parliament this week that would outlaw therapy that aims to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation. Source: Eternity News.
The purposes of the bill “to affirm that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is not broken and in need of fixing” and “to affirm that no sexual orientation or gender identity constitutes a disorder, disease, illness, deficiency or shortcoming” are in tension with traditional Christian teaching.
The bill aims “to affirm that change or suppression practices are deceptive and harmful both to the person subject to the change or suppression practices and to the community as a whole.”
The bill says “a change or suppression practice” includes “carrying out a religious practice, including but not limited to, a prayer based practice, a deliverance practice or an exorcism.”
Referring a person to either a medical-based or religiously based practice is also change or suppression practice is also captured.
If “serious injury” is caused, punishment includes up to ten years in prison and/or a large fine. Intentionally engaging in a change or suppression practice, to being negligent in engaging in one also attracts those penalties.
A lesser charge of “causing injury” will incur large fines.
FULL STORY
Prayer to change sexual orientation to be banned in Victoria (John Sandeman, Eternity News)
RELATED COVERAGE
Vic parliament looks at gay conversion ban(Canberra Times)
Victoria to ban 'abhorrent' practice of gay or gender conversion 'therapy' (The Guardian)
