Government Plans to 'Cure' Christianity
There is a growing hostility to Christianity in our government and media. This is especially apparent when the discussion turns to the topic of sexuality and gender. Proponents of the 1960s sexual revolution and its toxic effluence (fornication, abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, etc.) are rabid in their condemnation of traditional morality. However, rather than arguing their “progressive” position with logic and civility, they increasingly resort to smear tactics. They turn to demonization and derision. They create a “straw man” – an imaginary backwards, bigoted Christian – who must be corrected and, if he resists, must be mercilessly punished.
A recent MacLean’s headline repeats the lie: “LGBTQ people and ‘the harm being done by the Christian religion.’” The article that follows pontificates: “The harm being done by the Christian religion right now in our Canadian context remains staggering.” We are told that there is an urgent need to address “the hatred and anger against sexual and gender minorities in religious contexts.”
In a separate article in the Huffington Post, a prominent LGBT activist excoriates Christians trying to help people overcome homosexuality or transgenderism. He categorically condemns all forms of so-called “conversion therapy”, which, for him, includes prayer and “healing through Christ”. He writes that such “conversion therapy, like all forms of hatred and intolerance, is a problem of ideology — it knows no borders or nationality. Conversion therapy is torture, plain and simple. No one has the right to torture another human being, or to expose them to a fraudulent, cruel and dangerous human rights violation.” In other words, the Christian faith itself – the “ideology” he speaks of – is “dangerous” and must be denounced.
In a program aired nationally on CTV last week, W5 conducted an “undercover investigation” sardonically titled “Thy Will Be Done”. Borrowing a phrase from the Lord’s Prayer, the show portrays Christians as bigoted fanatics abusing vulnerable homosexuals. Apparently, we use the name of God to instill guilt and shame, causing “years of suffering” in these poor souls. (As if their grotesque sexual practices were completely harmless and innocent!) In fact, their sexual deviancy is causing them unspeakable harm as they persist in a sinful and unnatural lifestyle.
Nevertheless, W5 concludes that the practice of evangelizing homosexuals is “based on outdated and unproven medical beliefs and is mostly performed by Christian groups under the radar.” The words of Justice Minister David Lametti are held up as “Gospel truth” when he declares, “It’s a detrimental practice. It’s a tragic practice.” He then assures viewers that a national ban is coming forthwith. He might as well have said, ‘Don’t worry. We’ll shut down those evil Christians real soon!’
In 1949, Christian author and apologist, C.S. Lewis, penned these rather prophetic words: “one school of psychology already regards religion as a neurosis. When this particular neurosis becomes inconvenient to government what is to hinder government from proceeding to ‘cure’ it? Such ‘cure’ will, of course, be compulsory; but... it will not be called by the shocking name of Persecution.”
What we see happening today is the government “cure” taking shape. That cure, at first, appears as something harmless – some mild restrictions on our freedoms. We lose out on some summer job grants. We’re not allowed to protest in front of some abortion clinics. We can’t share the Bible in certain “gay” neighbourhoods. We’re not permitted to stop the indoctrination of our kids in school.
Restrictions increase, liberties are removed, and more anti-Christian propaganda floods the airwaves. The Conversion Therapy Ban is just the latest example; but the stakes are now even higher. This ban prescribes actual fines and imprisonment for those who proclaim some basic Christian doctrines. Prosecution and persecution are coming.
The “Nashville Statement”, a Christian document published in 2017, proclaims the traditional teaching of Christianity related to sexuality and gender. This statement was signed by scores of pastors and scholars, including well-known Evangelical leaders such as J.I. Packer, John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, John Piper, Albert Mohler, D.A. Carson, etc. This statement asserts the very teachings and beliefs that the government is seeking to criminalize. Consider these statements:
Article 10
WE AFFIRM that it is sinful to approve of homosexual immorality or transgenderism and that such approval constitutes an essential departure from Christian faithfulness and witness.
WE DENY that the approval of homosexual immorality or transgenderism is a matter of moral indifference about which otherwise faithful Christians should agree to disagree.
Article 12
WE AFFIRM that the grace of God in Christ gives both merciful pardon and transforming power, and that this pardon and power enable a follower of Jesus to put to death sinful desires and to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
WE DENY that the grace of God in Christ is insufficient to forgive all sexual sins and to give power for holiness to every believer who feels drawn into sexual sin.
The “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” which sets forth Roman Catholic teaching, has this to say about sexuality and gender:
Paragraph 2357
Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
Paragraph 2393
By creating the human being man and woman, God gives personal dignity equally to the one and the other. Each of them, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity.
Regrettably, to the best of my knowledge, no sitting MP or Senator, and no mainstream media outlet, has taken a public stand for Christianity on this issue. None has dared to speak up for the freedom of LGBT individuals to change, or for those who have already changed. Few are fighting the Conversion Therapy Ban! Most everyone is cowering before the LGBT behemoth.
Unfortunately, we would be incredibly naive if we believed it was all going to end right here – banning prayer, counselling, and evangelism for those who identify as LGBT. This totalitarian law, if passed, is just the beginning. What can we expect to happen next? What about a ban on converting people from other religions – or from atheism? What about a ban on sharing the Gospel in public? What about a ban on teaching your own children about Christ? What about a ban on the Bible itself?
After all, the Bible is all about conversion. Acts 3:19 declares, “Repent therefore and be converted.” 1 Corinthians 6:9 proclaims: “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Christian message is all about conversion – for those who willingly seek it. It’s all about change, transformation, re-creation – being washed and renewed. But many of our leaders and media moguls don’t like that message! They can’t stand to hear it – and they don’t think anyone else should either. We need to make sure they don’t get their way!
Please help us reach out to all of our Senators and MPs by signing our petition in opposition to Bill S-202 – the Conversion Therapy Ban. You can also send a personalized email to your Senators using our Action Alert Email tool. Please don’t delay! The future of our country – and of our freedoms – is at stake!
God Bless Canada.
Sincerely Yours,
David Cooke
National Campaigns Manager
Campaign Life Coalition
P.S. PLEASE SHARE this important message with your PASTOR, CHURCH LEADERSHIP, and FELLOW BELIEVERS. We need the prayers and help of every Christian in this country.