WorldNetDaily keeps on trying to whitewash and rebrand conversion therapy in an attempt to disguise its anti-LGBT intent. Its latest ploy is to portray conversion therapy as nothing but “prayer” and, thus, a part of Christianity. Bob Unruh dishonestly wrote in a Jan. 3 article:
One Australian state, Victoria, already has adopted laws that essentially make practicing Christianity, specifically prayer, a crime, and a commentary at The Daily Signal warns America is heading that direction with its bans on “conversion therapy.”
Conversion therapy is a derogatory term for counseling that encourages those who have unwanted same-sex attractions to live the lives they choose, and provides them skills to use to pursue their goals.
It’s been banned in many locations in America by lawmakers and others kowtowing to the ideology of the LGBT agenda. Quite literally in many locations, but not all, they’ve succeeded in promoting pro-LGBT counseling, but banning anti-LGBT discussions.
“It seems that the transgender movement aims to demonize any attempt to delay experimental medical interventions on children using the ‘conversion therapy’ label,” the commentary explained. “Victoria’s law condemning certain forms of prayer seems beyond the pale for Americans, but 27 states, along with Washington, D.C., and one U.S. territory have laws banning ‘conversion therapy’ for minors, according to the pro-LGBTQ Movement Advancement Project.”
As usual, no explanation was given as to why LGBT people must be forced to stop being so. instead, Unruh uncritically repeated the commentator’s talking points:
The commentary noted, “While neurologists and psychotherapists once employed horrific methods, such as lobotomies and electroshock ‘treatment,’ to try to force people with same-sex attraction to become straight, these kinds of ‘conversion therapy’ have rightly been condemned. Therapists today offer patient-driven talk therapy, which states such as Victoria outlaw.”
And he noted, “At least one recent study has suggested that the scientific evidence allegedly undermining sexual orientation change efforts actually shows that LGBT people who undergo non-‘affirming’ therapy actually have lower rates of suicide.”
As we documented, that study was conducted by an anti-LGBT Catholic priest and has notable flaws in its analysis.
Unruh repeated the dishonest “prayer” narrative again in a Jan. 13 article:
The Christian Institute in the United Kingdom is reiterating its promise to go to court against the Scottish government if lawmakers there continue with their agenda of religious censorship through a ban on “so-called conversion therapy.”
“We are particularly worried about the government’s plans for ‘civil protection orders’. The courts could impose draconian limits on the free speech of individuals based purely on activists’ speculation about what they might say to gay or trans people,” explained Simon Calvert, the organization’s deputy director for public affairs.
The Institute reported on the problem: “The Scottish government wants to outlaw ‘practices’ that seek to change, suppress or inhibit someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Activists are campaigning for this to cover ‘casual conversations,’ ‘gentle, non-coercive prayer,’ and even ‘depending on your parents’ ‘consent” to change gender.”
The same fight has been building across the United States, too, with multiple demands by LGBT activists that comments, discussions and even prayer be censored if it addresses the scientific fact that people with unwanted same-sex attractions can be counseled to deal with them.
Unruh doesn’t describe what backs up the “scientific fact” he claims exist, and he again doesn’t explain why being LGBT is something so abhorrent that it must be counseled against.