Christian Counselors Fight Back Against New Jersey Gay Conversion Ban

Religion Today | Updated: Sep 03, 2013

Christian Counselors Fight Back Against New Jersey Gay Conversion Ban

On August 19, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a law banning therapy that attempts to help minors overcome their same-sex attractions. But a group of Christian counselors are suing to practice according to the dictates of their conscience, WORLD reports. They've filed a federal lawsuit saying the new law violates a licensed therapist's obligation to "respect the rights of clients to make decisions." The current law bars any licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker or counselor from using therapies to change sexual orientation of children under age 18, and offenders jeopardize their state license. Liberty Counsel is representing Tara King, a therapist in Brick, N.J.; Ronald Newman, a therapist in Linwood, N.J., the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, and the American Association for of Christian Counselors. Garden State Equality, a pro-homosexual group, says it will defend the law.

Christian Counselors Fight Back Against New Jersey Gay Conversion Ban