{"id":32462,"date":"2022-09-10T16:10:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/california-bill-raises-concerns-for-christian-counselors\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:10:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:10:31","slug":"california-bill-raises-concerns-for-christian-counselors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/california-bill-raises-concerns-for-christian-counselors\/","title":{"rendered":"California Bill Raises Concerns for Christian Counselors"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Bob Smietana<\/em><\/p>\n

California\u2019s lawmakers may ban some Christian therapists from talking about sex.<\/p>\n

Or at least sexual orientation.<\/p>\n

A new bill, headed for the floor of the California Assembly, would ban mental health professionals from discussing or engaging in \u201csexual orientation change efforts with an individual.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bill labels such efforts\u2014sometimes known as \u201creparative therapy\u201d or \u201cgay conversion therapy\u201d\u2014as a fraudulent business practice.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an expansion of a ban passed six years ago, barring such therapy with anyone under 18.<\/p>\n

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Reparative therapy has been controversial in recent years. And so has the ban. Opponents say the ban infringes on their freedom of religion and free speech.<\/p>\n

The Supreme Court disagrees.<\/p>\n

Eleven states have similar bans in place. Two-dozen states are considering adding bans this spring, reports USA Today<\/em>.<\/p>\n

California could take the prohibition of reparative therapy further. A new bill, known as AB 2943, would apply that ban to such therapy for people of all ages.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis bill would include, as an unlawful practice prohibited under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, advertising, offering to engage in, or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual,\u201d the bill states.<\/p>\n

The bill would label such therapy as a commercial venture and ban it by amending a law aimed a preventing \u201cunfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices.\u201d That law mentions the sale of goods and services.<\/p>\n

This led at least one commentator\u2014and Christian legal groups\u2014to suggest it could lead to a ban on Christian books with traditional sexuality.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not the case, says the bill\u2019s main sponsor.<\/p>\n

Assembly member Nathan Low sponsored the bill, which has passed committee and is headed to the assembly floor for discussion.<\/p>\n

His office said the bill would only apply when payment for therapy is involved.<\/p>\n

Bookstores could still sell books that discuss sexual orientation and Christian teaching, according to Low\u2019s office. Churches can run support groups for those dealing with same-sex attraction.<\/p>\n

The law is aimed at therapy\u2014not books\u2014says Low\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Matt Sharp, an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), says the current bill isn\u2019t that clear.<\/p>\n

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He told the California Family Association \u201cit could be a violation if a pastor encourages a congregant to visit the church bookstore to purchase books that help people address sexual issues, perhaps including the Bible itself, which teaches about the importance of sexual purity within the confines of marriage between a man and woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ADF has posted a legal memo with its concerns about the bill.<\/p>\n

Chief among them that the bill censors Christian ideas about sexuality.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt targets a specific message\u2014that an adult who is experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction or gender identity confusion can find help to address those issues\u2014for censorship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other Christian legal groups have raised concerns about the proposed bill, including the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI).<\/p>\n

\u201cCompassion demands that churches and ministries offer hope to those who want to voluntarily leave the LGBT subculture,\u201d PJI president Brad Darcus said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe State cannot outlaw this compassion by calling it fraud. This is a diabolical attempt to stifle real debate and limit personal choices.\u201d<\/p>\n

UPDATE:<\/strong> Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, sent a letter to California Gov. Jerry Brown to express his disapproval of the bill.<\/p>\n

\u201dI hope you will stand up for the First Amendment in opposing and, if necessary, vetoing legislation that would seek to, essentially, outlaw views of sexual ethics held by most Christians, Orthodox Jews, Muslims, and many others, all over the world and throughout history. This bill would have a chilling effect on religious institutions teaching their own beliefs, and would be a harm to all citizens, religious or not, by eroding basic First Amendment protections that protect us all.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bob Smietana<\/h2>\n

@bobsmietana<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Bob is the former senior writer for Lifeway Research. In September 2018, he joined Religion News Service, where he currently serves as a national writer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n