Ending conversion practices in Scotland: Christian leaders should not be prevented from providing pastoral support
In response to the Scottish Government’s latest proposals on ending conversion practices, Fred Drummond, director of the Evangelical Alliance, Scotland, said:
“The Evangelical Alliance welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the consultation on ending conversion practices. No one should be forced or coerced into trying to change their sexuality, and we support measures to strengthen the law to ensure that criminal actions are properly addressed. However, any changes to the law should ensure people are free to seek out and receive the support they choose, and no law should prevent Christian leaders from teaching what they believe, supporting their congregation and providing prayer and pastoral support to those who request it.
“The Evangelical Alliance are reviewing the proposals carefully, to assess whether the proposed changes are addressing a gap in the law – we believe the law already covers abusive and forced practices – and what the impact of a new law would be. We will shortly provide further guidance on the measures proposed and will be encouraging our members to respond to the consultation.”
Notes to editors
The consultation from the Scottish Government which is open until 2 April can be found here: consult.gov.scot/equal...
To find out more about how the Evangelical Alliance has engaged with proposals around conversion therapy over the last few years visit: eauk.org/what-we-do/public-policy/ending-conversion-therapy
Interviews available on request. Please contact Nicola Morrison, media manager, to arrange: n.morrison@eauk.org
About the Evangelical Alliance
We are the Evangelical Alliance. We join together hundreds of organisations, thousands of churches and tens of thousands of individuals for the sake of the gospel. Representing our members since 1846, the Evangelical Alliance is the oldest and largest evangelical unity movement in the UK.
We love Jesus and we want everyone in the UK to be given an opportunity to know Him.
We love His church, and we will do all we can to unite evangelicals, building confidence in the gospel and speaking as a trusted voice into society to see it changed for Him.
Working across the UK, with offices in London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast, our members come together from across denominations, locations, age groups and ethnicities, all sharing a passion to know Jesus and make Him known.
