MLAs to debate possible ban on prayer

• Stormont to debate motion on banning ‘conversion practices’ on Tuesday 4 June;
• Legal advice says new legislation could capture the ordinary work of churches;
• Parents who don’t support their child’s gender transition are also likely to be caught.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is to debate a motion calling for a criminal ban on ‘conversion practices’. The motion cites a report by The Rainbow Project which describes ordinary Christian practices such as “prayer, Bible studies and teaching” as ‘conversion practices’ which should be outlawed.

The CI has previously described the report as “useless” and said that it “should never be used to shape Government policy”.

Parents of gender-questioning children who refuse to consent to them being prescribed dangerous puberty blockers could also fall foul of a ‘conversion practices’ law.

The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director (Public Affairs) Simon Calvert said:

“MLAs who support the call for a ban on ‘conversion practices’ are going to have to be very clear whether or not they intend it to outlaw prayer. The authors of the study cited in the motion being debated by MLAs were asked repeatedly on BBC Radio about this and refused to answer.

“The debate around ‘conversion practices’ has been mired in confusion because activists often fail to distinguish between clearly abusive practices which are already illegal – such as holding people against their will – and innocent practices such as prayer and parenting.

“A new ‘conversion practices’ law is unnecessary since verbal and physical abuse are already illegal. Those demanding a new law must first explain what actions are not already criminal that deserve to be.

“In an independent legal opinion for The Christian Institute, Jason Coppel KC shows that the sort of ‘conversion therapy’ law being called for by activists is incompatible with NI’s human rights obligations because it would impact ordinary Christian practices including prayer and pastoral care.

“We wrote to the Minister for Communities in June 2021 providing this legal advice, making clear that we ‘will not hesitate, where appropriate, to seek a judicial review’ if proposals from the Department interfere with the ordinary work of churches.”

ENDS