Conversion Therapy and Protests

Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink
Conversion Therapy and Protests
Monday 14th February 2022

Conversion Therapy (Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill)

On Tuesday night last week at the second reading of this Bill in Parliament and despite the National caucus being ‘whipped’ to vote against the first reading last year, only seven National MP’s exercised their conscience vote against the second reading. They were Simon Bridges, Simeon Brown, Melissa Lee, Simon O'Connor, Shane Reti, Louise Upston and Michael Woodhouse. It is possible another two or three may do the same for the third reading.

This bill is an omnibus bill to prohibit conversion practices that seek to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

POV. In the bigger picture this Bill is simply and sadly another example of the ‘social fabric’ of New Zealand being eroded away. In earlier years it was Abortion, Homosexuality and Marriage to mention just three of many.
The truth is that here we have another example of the total reversal of values that Isaiah warned Judah about in Isaiah 5:20 when he said: “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter”.(NLT)

In other words when you as a parent could be criminalised for saying ‘No’ to your child who wants to go onto life altering puberty blockers then that is not only Isaiah 5:20 at work it is also the state interfering with the way you and I choose to raise our kids. And did you notice, MY kids, YOUR kids who are……..that’s right OUR kids. They don’t belong to the State not for one minute. You are the ones who made them, you are the ones nurturing them, loving them, sacrificing for them and you are ones paying for all this. That means the majority of parents by far in NZ are wanting the best for their own children and yes they want their daughters and sons to love the bodies they were born with. So no surprises with this Poll result.

Here and here are two very good articles (fact sheets/position papers) on this subject to assist Christians understand this piece of legislation and make an informed response.

“All New Zealanders should be protected from coercive, abusive or involuntary psychological or spiritual practices. However, participation in psychological assessments, counselling sessions, prayer meetings and other therapeutic practices is almost always an expression of voluntary behaviour and personal freedom. Under this proposed ban, people would be prevented from getting help to live the lifestyle they choose – if that lifestyle is heterosexual and/or based on their biological sex. And children could not be encouraged to embrace their biological sex.
While gender and sexuality is supposedly ‘fluid’, activists want the law to stipulate that it can only go in the direction they approve.

To penalise people on the basis of their beliefs or personal lifestyle choices lacks fairness and is a dangerous discrimination. To criminalise parents who genuinely care for their children should certainly not be a crime warranting up to five years in jail”.

Protests

POV. I was in Wellington last week Thursday and Friday (for different reasons) when the anti-mandate was in full swing. There was certainly a lot of commotion down town.

New Zealand like all democratic nations in the world has seen it’s fair share of protests. The Water Front Dispute (1951), Bastion Point (1978),The Springbok Tour (1981) and the largest protests ever were the anti-war protests on 15th February 2003 when 600 cities across the world 600 cities expressed opposition to the imminent Iraq War. It was part of a series of protests and political events that had begun in 2002 and continued as the invasion, war, and occupation took place.

Peaceful Protests are a good thing. It often is a very effective way to draw attention to an issue going on in society that people feel strongly about. It can and often does hold Government’s to account. It’s people power in action and a quick survey of history tells us that well staged protests do effect change. It is to be commended.

However, something has happened with the current anti-mandate protests at the grounds of Parliament that I for one cannot support. Marc Daalder (Newsroom) has captured it well in this article titled, ‘Splintered realities’: How NZ convoy lost its way’.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.