Christians who claim that homosexuality can be “fixed” could soon find themselves being prosecuted as the Victorian government orders an unprecedented inquiry into gay conversion therapy.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the inquiry will capture registered or unregistered counsellors, as well as faith-based ministries, who treat homosexuality as a disorder, along with anyone purporting to convert LGBTI people through therapeutic means.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy, who asked Victoria’s Health Complaints Commissioner to conduct the investigation, told The Age:
We have zero tolerance for anyone purporting to ‘convert’ gay people through any medical or therapeutic means. Victorians who have been harmed through these rogue groups should contact the Commissioner immediately so these unlawful practices can be stopped and practitioners prosecuted.
Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, said on Twitter today, “If you’re claiming to be a therapist and think being gay is something that can be ‘fixed’ – then you’re the one who might need fixing. Conversion ‘therapy’ ruins minds. We won’t tolerate it.”
So you are advocating “conversion therapy” for those who disagree with you. In Communist countries that would be called a re-education camp. Sounds like you want everyone to conform to your view. Am I correct, comrade?
— Josh Williamson (@AusEvangelist) May 17, 2018
Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said, “It’s illegal, it’s traumatic on people and it needs to stop… People have a right to their sexual identity and we are making sure that this process of gay conversion, wherever it is conducted, needs to come to an end.”
The crack-down will see portions of the Bible as being practically illegal. According to the Apostle Paul, the church in Corinth consisted of people who once practiced homosexuality. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the Apostle wrote:
Do you not know the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Do we want to live in a nation where it is illegal for a minister to preach on certain portions of the New Testament? We are there. We told you it was about more than marriage.
