Pastors suing for 'religious exemption' to ex-gay therapy ban

And yet another example of how "religious liberty" is being manipulated against the lgbt community. In this case, our lgbt kids could be put at risk.

From The Washington Post:

A group of Illinois pastors filed suit against the state Thursday, arguing that clergy should be exempt from a law banning counselors from trying to change a minor’s sexual orientation because it violates their constitutional right to free speech and exercise of religion.

The law, which went into effect in January, bans licensed counselors and mental health professionals from practicing “conversion therapy” — counseling designed to make gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer people become straight — on minors. While religious leaders don’t fall under this category, the suit says pastors could be held liable for consumer fraud under a section of the law that says “no person or entity” may advertise or practice conversion therapy that “represents homosexuality as a mental disease, disorder or illness.”

And that’s exactly what the five Christian pastors think, according to their lawsuit filed in federal court. “These pastors teach that homosexual conduct is contrary to God’s purpose for humanity and a disorder of God’s creation which can be resisted or overcome by those who seek to be faithful to God and His Word. This is what they say to those who seek their counsel — including minors,” according to the lawsuit, posted online by the law firm representing the pastors.

Supposedly these pastors don't want to change the law. They just want to be exempted from following it.

The idea that homosexuality is a sin is merely an opinion. However, the facts are that any therapy which attempts to alter sexual orientation can be detrimental and for that reason is opposed by several mainstream  health organizations such as the American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association.

Religious liberty entails the right to worship as one pleases. This does not and never should include subjecting children to harm by fraudulent medical practices.

photo courtesy of Truth Wins Out.