Is "conversion or reparative" therapy ever ok?

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If anyone is seeking help to stop unwanted thoughts or feelings then they should get it. Parental understanding and supervision should be there as well. The judgement of the parents along with the young person should be respected.
 
If an adult wants to try it I see no reason against it. Though I do think the success of it is nil.

The potential for abuse, and the many cases of abuse, of young persons has certainly not contributed to its reputation. I can understand why people want to ban it.
 
My big concern with banning conversion therapy is if the legislation could be stretched and molded through dubious legal arguments to go after all sorts of people, and with some radically pro-LGBT groups in USA & Canada holding a lot of power, that is completely possible.
 
I think it is just a ban for people under the age of 18, not an outright ban across the board? I guess I am on the fence about it because I see how it could possibly benefit somebody while it could damage another severely. Especially those under 18, whom are already experiencing hormonal changes along with their brains still not fully developed. Just my opinion.
 
Concerns as in it could target priests or youth leaders who are ministering to people? Could you elaborate?
 
@Miketdobbs

Well, here is what is in the article:

“As defined by the government, conversion therapy means any practice, treatment or service designed to change an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, eliminate, reduce sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between persons of the same sex. It does not include gender reassignment surgery or any related service.” (emphasis mine)

So yeah. Depending on how the legislation is applied in the courts, there’s definitely a wide berth for the authorities to go after all sorts of people. The legislation is done in the name of safety and of course there are some valid arguments there, but as with all legislation that is done “in the name of safety” you are playing with fire.
 
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So for example, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine a priest facing prosecution or some kind of penalty for preaching (from the pulpit) about the immorality of homosexual acts? This new legislation could argue that he was trying to persuade or pressure people into changing their “sexual attraction or behaviour”? First scenario I thought of. I sure there are a lot.
 
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It has been show to be coercive and a failure. It often sounds like a Re-education camp…we know who does those!

Unless it can be shown to actually work and the people feel that they are better off for having done it, I certainly think that it should be banned for youth. Private facilities for adults voluntarily doing this doesn’t cause me to lose sleep but any medical or government benefits should not be given. If someone wants to pay for brainwashing techniques…go for it. For those with extreme SSA all they can learn is chastity. They can learn this without conversion therapy.
 
@Miketdobbs

Or maybe a therapy support group that isn’t trying to magically change a person’s attraction like a light switch through pseudoscience, but one which follows the Magisterium or the traditions of their religion, and they end up on the radar of the authorities.

There was already a court in British Colombia that ruled that a family who tried to discourage their child from becoming transgender would be guilty of domestic violence. This stuff isn’t just hypothetical. It is happening right now. And what the best science tells us is that sexuality is not 100% static but that it is to some extent fluid and that it exists on a spectrum. Adolescents and teens are having gender confusion at higher rates and this is brought about environmentally; it isn’t just a matter of them no longer suppressing or hiding it.

The point is that the government’s definition of “conversion therapy” in the article is pretty broad.
 
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Youth, under the supervision of their parents who can monitor any therapy for any condition, should be allowed to seek counseling for unwanted thoughts or feelings.
 
The intervention protocol for unwanted thoughts and feelings is to teach clients to identify them, recognize them, and find helpful coping mechanisms for dealing with them. Ignoring or suppressing them doesn’t make them go away.
 
We do not ban AA. We allow those who seek help for sexual attraction to minors get help. So I see this as a direct attack on a person’s right to seek help with sinful behavior, for those who follow a mainstream religion that still speaks of sin.
 
I only know what a friend who is a psychologist told me in casual conversation, a year or two ago. First, all the teens who underwent conversion therapy did so only because their parents forced them to. Second, it never worked. As @JMMJ said, it’s snake oil.
 
Would a program to promote chastity and “eliminate” homosexual behavior without trying to change their orientation count?
 
I’m a gay man who recently found Christ and am going the rout of chastity. I see no problem with that. But conversion therapy can be psychologically damaging. Just the thought of being with a woman turns my stomach. Imagine if the tables were turned! It would be horrible! I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Chastity and chastity support groups are the way to go.
 
Perhaps they have discussed banning Yoga aswell? After all that really can lead to possession and is much more harmful than the therapy mentioned above. But oh no, freedom of practice only matters when it suits the left. Lol
 
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