Conversion Therapy

There has been a trend in the last few years to make "conversion therapy" illegal. Not to be confused with "conversion to Christ," these "therapies" tend to be somewhat ambiguous and unreliable. Their aim is to change their target from "gay" to "straight" and/or from "transexual" to "normal." And the fundamental push has been through various means of behavioral or mental modification. So they will use hypnosis or aversion therapy or group therapy or others. Most studies suggest that conversion therapies of this sort are ineffective and/or harmful.

I make no defense of these kinds of therapies designed to make you "straight." I don't find a biblical reason for them or a biblical design for them. I wouldn't disagree with Cornell University when they say, "We concluded that there is no credible evidence that sexual orientation can be changed through therapeutic intervention." In fact, I believe the idea that behavior modification alone as an answer is misguided. The problem is not that these therapies should be allowed. The problem is that terms like "ineffective" and "harmful" coupled with our current notion that "feel bad" is "harm" makes other things equally offensive in the modern mind. For instance, prayer regarding this topic is now illegal in some places. Pastors are at risk for reading Scripture on the subject under some laws. This is a problem.

In Paul's epistle to the church in Corinth he makes a reference that would be banned in some places today.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor 6:9-10)

In today's world simply saying that "men who practice homossexuality" will "not inherit the kingdom of God" is classified as "harm" in some places. You can't do that. You can't reprimand like that. But it's interesting that Paul doesn't say this as a reprimand, nor does he offer "stop behaving like that" as an option. The only corrective offered in this text is "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor 6:11). The only way to solve the problem -- be it "sexual immorality" or "greed" or "adultery" or "idolatry" or the practice of homosexual behavior -- is not behavior modification, but washing, sanctification, justification -- a changed heart as a work of God.

So I remain in a dilemma. I do not favor "conversion therapy" as a means to change thinking or behavior. On the other hand, I do not include prayer or Scripture as "conversion therapy." Or, to put it another way, I'm not deeply opposed to banning "conversion therapy" (although some who have undergone it by choice have benefited from it) as long as it is understood that we're talking about therapies, but when it extends to prayer or Scripture, that ban has gone too far. And while I understand that too many Christians are upset and offended by homosexual behavior and the rise of "transgender" as if it's real, I fear we're misguided when we think that better laws or other behavior modification will fix it. Sinners are not the problem; sin is. On the other hand, we're told, "Be tolerant; be nonjudgmental." When Corinth practiced tolerance and nonjudgmentalism, it was a bad thing (1 Cor 5:1-2). "A little leaven leavens the whole lump," Paul warned (1 Cor 5:6). So sin must be dealt with, not ignored, but attempting to modify behavior without heart is pointless. God's people are forgiven sinners whose hearts are changed. Our good works are not powered by therapy, but by "God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Php 2:13). So while we can't call sin good or good sin, and we don't "fix" people by modifying their behavior, we can pray and we must agree with God regarding what constitutes sin and the dangers of tolerating it.