Pastors who believe gay kids can be ‘cured’ sue state over law banning ‘conversion’ therapy
Five pastors in the US are suing a state over a law which bans gay ‘cure’ therapy.
The pastors suggest that gay “cure” therapy is effective, and argue that it should not be banned.
The church leaders in Illinois are from Pastors Protecting Youth, and say that clergy members should be exempt from a law which bans gay ‘cure’ or ‘conversion’ therapy for minors.
The Youth Mental Health Protection Act (2016) bans therapy which represents same-sex attraction “as a mental disease, disorder, or illness.”
Pastor Steven Stultz of Nu-Church Apostolic Ministries of East Garfield said: “In 1 Corinthians 6:9, the Apostle Paul writes to those who had overcome many sins including homosexuality, stating, ‘such were some of you’ but you were changed through God’s healing.
“I have personally witnessed many people change their sexual orientation through counseling and know it is possible.
“The government is interfering into someone’s private decisions. This ban on counseling creates fear in the people most in need of comfort and support.”
The pastors have enlisted John W Mauck from Mauck and Baker LLC, to fight their case.
He said: “We are most concerned about young people who are seeking the right to choose their own identity. This is an essential human right.
“However, this law undermines the dignity and integrity of those who choose a different path for their lives than politicians and activists prefer.
“Each person should be free to receive Biblical and spiritual counseling from the pastor of their choice to help them orient their sexuality.”
The Attorney General’s office will defend the law but the case has not yet been commented on.
The Governor of Illinois earlier this year signed the legislation which bans therapists from performing ‘gay cure’ therapy.
