CA Politicians Deem Redemption a Fraud

The newest pro-LGBT bill in California is being challenged for its Orwellian attempt to stifle the gospel message of deliverance and redemption under the guise of consumer safety.

The controversial measure in question, Assembly Bill 2943, mirrors attempts in other states to ban so-called “conversion therapy” for homosexuals.  But it also carries those successful laws to the next logical steps: the pulpit of the church, the offices of a counselor, and the pages of a book.

A law is already on the books in California banning counseling for people under 18 with unwanted same-sex attractions, says attorney Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI).  “Now the state of California is even more emboldened,” he warned recently on the ‘Sandy Rios in the Morning’ show, “as this bill applies to everyone – all licensed counselors, and even people selling books on therapy.”

AB 2943, described by proponents as consumer fraud legislation, is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection.  Citing the language of the bill, Dacus said a Christian conference that includes former homosexuals would be considered an illegal activity, hence their claims - Christian testimonies - would be considered false and misleading under California law.

There is no question the new bill uses consumer fraud to stop free speech, including religious beliefs about sex and marriage that are considered ‘hate speech’ by some California legislators.

“The California Assembly is considering a bill that would classify conversion therapy as fraud,” begins a story by the left-wing Media Matters, which goes on to rattle off the ‘hate groups’ opposing AB 2943 including: PJI, Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Family Research Council.

OneNewsNow reported in 2016 that a state senator reluctantly withdrew a bill that would have forced the state’s private religious colleges and universities to allow open homosexuals or lose financial aid.  Only when minority students publicly protested the loss of Cal Grant money did Sen. Ricardo Lara withdraw the bill … vowing to bring it back at a later date to punish religious schools for their “appalling” discrimination.

In a PJI press release describing this legal fight, Dacus recalls that PJI challenged a similar bill, SB 1172.  That law was upheld by a federal appeals court that claimed it was limited to minors and a licensed professional.

California legislators have been warned by licensed professionals that victims of sexual abuse would be barred from undergoing counseling sessions … citing the testimony of a licensed psychologist, reported in a mid-March update on AB 2943.  If the law passes, victims of sexual abuse can seek counseling if their abuser is the opposite sex but not the same sex, the testimony pointed out.  “It is very disturbing,” Dacus said of this new legislation.  “It’s controlling the dialogue and the messaging, not just in the public schools, but the public square in a very alarming way.” 

Dacus went on to warn people outside California that the homosexual activists won’t stop with left-wing legislators in the Golden State.  “If it’s not stopped in California,” he said, “it’s coming to a state near you.”

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel