The Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 became law on April 4 and could see people sent to prison for up to five years or fined up to $100,000 for offering prayer or counseling that seeks to "convert" LGBT individuals.
The bill was introduced last month by MP Michael Daley, who is also the Attorney General of the state. Examples of "conversion practices" listed by the NSW government include "Performing a ritual, such as an exorcism or prayer-based practice to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identify."
Christians in Sydney and across NSW now risk being punished for sharing their religious beliefs on sexuality and gender, with many noting the law targets basic parts of the Christian message, like the idea that people can be changed through Christ, or that marriage is between a man and a woman, according to Life Site News.
Christians believe the law is a big step toward criminalizing parts of their faith in Australia. On paper, the NSW government says religious freedom is protected, though critics argue that’s not the case. Critics say it will pressure many Christians to stay silent, especially those who don't support current identity politics or the beliefs of more left-leaning churches.
Australian commentator Ben Davis called it modern “LGBTQA apostasy laws.”
“What are we, China?” asked conservative commentator Evelyn Rae. “This is straight out of China. It criminalizes Christianity.” She continued: “The state has literally become the arbiter of truth and authority and they are now deciding what Christianity is allowed to say and do.”
She went on to say: “The LGBTQ community is just as much a religion as Christianity, because they’re taking a stance right now on what Christians can and can’t say. They’re taking a moral stance on sexuality and gender. They are just as much a religion as Christianity and the state has said, ‘You know what? That religion trumps Christianity.’”
A video promoting the law claims, “so-called conversion practices are deeply harmful, they don’t work, and they are damaging to the whole community,” and “it’s damaging to say that LGBTQA people should be fixed, and it’s inaccurate to say they can be healed.”
The government also said Christianity can be a “harmful ideology when it comes to homosexuality or transgenderism: ‘Beyond legal protections, we all have a role to play in challenging harmful ideology.’”
Supporters of the law claim it doesn't ban prayer, but it does say that praying with someone for the purpose of changing or suppressing their sexuality or gender identity is illegal—even if that person wants the prayer.
Statements about celibacy or abstinence in general are not banned, but telling someone in a same-sex relationship to stop being sexually active might be considered illegal, depending on the situation.
The law also limits what counselors and health professionals can say. They are only allowed to offer “affirming care to members of the LGBTQA community across NSW” and must follow the rules set by the new law.
The irony, critics say, is that people are told to “live authentically,” but if they decide they want to leave the LGBTQA lifestyle, there’s little help available.
“The NSW Government encourages individuals to ‘come out’ and ‘proudly’ identify with the LGBTQA community,” explained Davis. “But if, after some time, someone realises it’s not for them – if they discover they were as uncertain about being LGBTQA as others are about being straight – they’re effectively abandoned. Don’t ask for help. You likely won’t find any.”
One pastor told Caldron Pool, “The Church’s core business is discipleship – bringing people out of darkness and into the kingdom of Christ. Discipleship is therefore always about suppression and conversion, and this means the suppression and conversion of all desires and thoughts that are opposed to Christ’s kingdom.” He added, “Sex and gender do not sit in some protected category, and therefore no faithful Christian or minister can in good conscience abide by these laws.”
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