Family First Upper House candidate Lyle Shelton has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to introduce legislation in the NSW Parliament restoring the right to pray for anyone who asks for prayer for unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion.
Mr Shelton said the New South Wales Government has no business telling people what kind of prayer they may or may not request.
“Prayer is at the heart of religious freedom. If someone asks for prayer to live in line with their faith, it is an extraordinary overreach for the government to make that illegal,” Mr Shelton said.
The commitment comes after questioning in Parliament by Liberal MLC Susan Carter revealed that the new Conversion Practices Ban Act makes some prayers unlawful, even if they are freely sought.
“I want to thank Susan Carter for her courage in asking the questions no one else would,” Mr Shelton said. “She put to Attorney-General Michael Daley the simple question of whether prayer could be banned. His answer was shocking.”
Under questioning, Mr Daley conceded:
“Praying with or over a particular person in an attempt to try to change or suppress that person’s sexuality or gender is unlawful… If it’s an unlawful prayer, then it’s not a lawful prayer.”
Mr Shelton said this amounted to the government presuming to decide which prayers are permissible.
“Mr Daley admitted the government claims the right to define some prayers as ‘unlawful’. That is a direct assault on religious liberty in NSW. It is chilling to think that a mum or dad, pastor, or friend could face sanction for praying with someone who explicitly asked for prayer to help them follow God’s word.”
Family First believes the right to seek prayer should never be curtailed by government regulation.
“Prayer has always been about change – change in circumstances, change in hearts, change in lives. To criminalise a prayer that someone requests is a staggering overreach of state power into the private and spiritual lives of citizens,” Mr Shelton said.
“Family First will act. If elected, we will introduce legislation to restore the simple freedom for people to pray with those who ask for it. No government should have the power to ban prayer.”
Mr Shelton also called on church leaders and people of faith not to be intimidated by the new law.
“The early church prayed for boldness in the face of threats (Acts 4:29). That remains our call today. Family First will be the voice in Parliament ensuring that prayer and freedom of religion are not trampled by ideology masquerading as law.”
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