During a Christian organization's summer camp in France, a prayer is held for "renouncing the fire of desire" in same-sex relationships. Now, the organization is accused of carrying out conversion therapy.
A French Christian organization runs camps to help people struggling with their sexual orientation. However, the Minister of Equality describes this as homophobic and threatens to close the organization for alleged conversion therapy.
The agitation around the organization Torrents de Vie (Torrents of Life) began after a journalist infiltrated and joined one of the organization's activities. That is reported by Evangelical focus.
torrents of life belongs to an international interdenominational Christian ministry. He is active in about ten French cities and organizes seminars, pastoral help and conferences to help people find "grace, truth and freedom in relationships and in sexuality."
The undercover journalist went to the organization's summer camp and recorded conversations between people seeking spiritual help with questions about identity and sexual orientation. He published his recommendationswhich include images recorded with a hidden camera, in a television program.
Comment
Broadcaster BFMTV called the activities "disturbing therapies." She invited the French Minister of Equality between women and men and the fight against discrimination, Bérangère Couillard, to the study to comment on the results.
The Minister said he was outraged by the incident. "I condemn it in the strongest terms possible," he said. Furthermore, he said that the images will be sent to the prosecutor for his investigation. Torrent de Vie's ideas are "homophobic and transphobic," added the councilor. She also advocated for the organization's closure.
Guilty
Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Citizenship, Sonia Backès, has asked Miviludes to investigate all possible avenues of action to sanction Torrent de Vie. Miviludes is an Interministerial Mission for Surveillance and Fight against Sectarian Abuses, the website of the French authorities reads. "Today the sectarian phenomenon in our country reaches an unprecedented level. It is imperative that the French are better informed about the risks it entails and that the State is equipped with new tools to respond more effectively to this plague," said Backès. The Secretary of State condemns conversion therapies and welcomes the approach of Minister Couillard, who referred the case to the public prosecutor.
If the organization is found guilty of practicing conversion therapy, its organizers face two years in prison and a fine of 30,000 euros. The Parisian writes. In France, conversion therapy has been prohibited by law since January 2022. According to the co-president of SOS Homophobia, this would be the first time the law would be applied.
Conversion therapy is banned from 2022.
I immediately asked him @DILCRAH contact the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the actions of Torrents de vie. I strongly condemn these intolerable practices.— Bérangère Couillard (@BCouillard33) August 30, 2023
Torrents de Vie is part of the National Council of Evangelicals of France (CNEF). The organization saying In 2022, following the implementation of the ban on conversion therapy, it recommitted itself to "protecting people and opposing all forms of abuse, particularly those committed against people who question their sexual orientation and gender identity." ". However, the organization also emphasized that people should be free to seek religious help and support. Furthermore, the CNEF promised to "remain vigilant to preserve freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression for all."
