California state legislators are considering passage of Assembly Bill 2943 that would outlaw gay conversion therapy in the state. Discussing all the pros and cons would entail a lengthy commentary, but there are some notable issues that can be addressed succinctly.
One would be the meaning of conversion. Paul writes, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. From the Christian perspective “conversion” occurs when one confesses their sin and turns in faith to Christ for forgiveness.
Repentance and Trust
Repentance and trust equal conversion, this is also called salvation and regeneration. It is an act of faith in response to the grace of God proclaimed in the Gospel, Ephesians 2:8-9. If this legislation is an attempt to compromise the proclamation of the Gospel it should be opposed, and there is the likelihood it will not pass constitutional muster if it hinders religious liberty.
I have no experience with gay conversion therapy, but from what I have heard tortuous practices and brainwashing techniques have been employed to accomplish a so-called “conversion” from homosexuality to heterosexuality. You cannot torture someone into trusting Christ nor brainwash someone into believing; that is not how it works. Such practices should be outlawed and opposed; they are unbiblical and inhumane.
The California legislature in considering passage of this bill found, “Contemporary science [whatever that is] recognizes that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is part of the natural spectrum of the human identity and is not a disease, disorder, or illness.”
Sexual sins are not a disease, disorder, or illness
I agree with the wording of the bill that says, “being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender…is not a disease, disorder, or illness.” Each of these deviations from God’s created purpose for sex is the natural expression of man’s sin nature. If they were a disease, disorder, or illness they might have an excuse before God, but as Paul tells us “they are without excuse.”
The hypocrisy in the bill is its one-way perspective of conversion. “Sexual orientation change efforts means any practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation. This includes efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.”
So, attempting to change the sexual orientation of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals is unlawful, but it is open season on trying to change the sexual orientation of heterosexuals? Despite what “contemporary science” may say there is not a scintilla of evidence that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is genetic or is irreversible. It’s a choice, always has been and always will be.
Nature is a discriminate bigot
Herein lies the rub; nature being the discriminatory bigot it is has denied homosexual couples the ability to reproduce. The only hope the homosexual community has of insuring the next generation of homosexuals is to convert heterosexuals to their lifestyle and way of thinking. But that’s okay, because that kind of conversion will be legal, in California.
Where is the religious liberty task force when you need it?
Leave a Reply