Controversial conversion bill Norway keeps Christian minds busy

Until October 14th, Norwegians had the opportunity to comment on a government proposal to ban conversion therapy. According to the bill, it must be prohibited to "use methods with the aim of getting another person to change, deny or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity".

However, according to 19 prominent Norwegian Christians, the government "is willing to sacrifice a group's fundamental freedom of belief and expression by the threat of prosecution and punishment to protect another group of people's views and practices regarding gender and cohabitation."

The Christians argue that the ban "creates uncertainty around fundamental rights, such as the ability to quote "religious texts" (read: the Bible), and deduce what these have to say for our way of life - or the right to pray aloud for someone who seeks intercession and help to live in conformity with the norms of the Bible."

The statement was signed by, among others, the Norwegian heads of Open Doors, Youth with a Mission and Wycliffe. Last week, also the Roman Catholic Church in Norway rejected the bill of the Norwegian government. With about 150,000 members, the Catholic church in the country is quite small.

According to the German Catholic daily Die Tagespost, the Norwegian Office for Culture and Equality admits that the proposed law is a "minor violation of religious freedom". Several bishops fear that the proposal is setting a precedent. The state would take it upon itself to object to scriptures accepted by believers as "revelation" and "binding doctrine." These bishops fear that the proposal would legitimise "totalitarian interventions" that limit citizens' ability to organise their own lives.

Human rights

In other parts of Norwegian society, the critiques around the bill are also growing. The Danish Bar association, for example, thinks that conversion therapy sought by an adult should not be criminalised. According to these jurists, "any criminalisation would conflict with our human rights obligations". They believe that it is "fundamental that every adult must have the opportunity to seek support and possible therapy if, for one reason or another, the person in question is unsure of, uncomfortable with or struggling with emotional problems regarding their identity or sexual orientation".