Australia’s Prayer Ban Exposes the Lie of ‘Loving’ Conversion Therapy

New South Wales just reaffirmed its ban on praying for people struggling with sexual identity issues—even if they request it. Predictably, evangelical leaders are crying “religious persecution” and lamenting their lost “freedom” to offer spiritual guidance. But here’s what they won’t tell you: this isn’t about prayer. It’s about protecting vulnerable people from psychological abuse dressed up as pastoral care. The New South Wales attorney general didn’t wake up one morning and decide to ban genuine prayer (because that’s not actually what happened here). This law targets “conversion therapy”—including the supposedly gentler “pray away the gay” approaches that evangelical churches have rebranded as compassionate ministry. Thing is, decades of research show these practices don’t work and cause measurable harm, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. But evangelical organizations have gotten very good at packaging conversion therapy in reasonable-sounding language. They don’t call it “conversion therapy” anymore—that sounds harsh and clinical. Instead, they offer “biblical counseling,” “freedom ministry,” or “sexual identity support.” They emphasize that participation is voluntary (ignoring the family and social pressure that makes it anything but). They focus on “unwanted same-sex attraction” (as if the attraction itself, not the shame surrounding it, is the real problem). The reality behind these euphemisms is troubling. Former participants describe being told their sexual orientation was a spiritual illness, that they could change through enough prayer and effort, and that failing to change meant insufficient faith. Many report developing anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation during these programs. The American Psychological Association has condemned conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful, noting it can increase the risk of depression and suicidal behavior. What makes this particularly insidious is how evangelical culture frames resistance to these practices. If you question whether prayer can change sexual orientation, you’re “doubting God’s power.” If you point out the psychological harm, you’re “putting worldly wisdom above biblical truth.” If you suggest LGBTQ+ people might be fine as they are, you’re “condoning sin.” This creates a closed system where criticism is reframed as spiritual failure. The Australian ban recognizes something evangelical leaders refuse to acknowledge: intent doesn’t negate impact. You can genuinely believe you’re helping someone while causing serious psychological damage. You can pray with sincere love while participating in a system that drives people to despair. The road to conversion therapy is paved with good intentions—and littered with the mental health casualties of people who trusted their pastors more than medical consensus. Former evangelical pastor and author Brandan Robertson, who underwent conversion therapy himself, explains the lasting damage: “Even years after leaving those harmful practices behind, many survivors struggle with shame, depression, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. The message that you’re fundamentally broken doesn’t disappear overnight.” Research consistently shows that conversion therapy—regardless of its religious packaging—is associated with increased mental health problems. A 2020 study in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy found that exposure to conversion efforts was significantly associated with psychological distress, including suicidal ideation. Another study published in JAMA Psychiatry linked conversion therapy to increased odds of depression and suicidal thoughts. Australia’s approach isn’t about restricting genuine religious practice—it’s about preventing documented harm masquerading as ministry. If evangelical leaders truly cared about LGBTQ+ wellbeing, they’d celebrate laws that protect vulnerable people from practices their own medical experts have condemned as dangerous. Sources: The Christian Post