The sweeping legislation would make “advertising, offering to engage in, or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual” unlawful and a form of consumer fraud, if the effort is connected with the sale of goods or services. Those “efforts” include any discussion of changing behavior or even seeking to reduce same-sex attraction.

For California residents dealing with unwanted, same-sex attraction, certain members of the state Legislature have a clear message: What you want for your life isn’t as important as what we think you should want. In fact, what you want isn’t really valid.

How else can one read California Assembly Bill 2943? The bill passed the California State Assembly in April and awaits a hearing in the state’s Senate Judiciary Committee.

The sweeping legislation would make “advertising, offering to engage in, or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual” unlawful and a form of consumer fraud, if the effort is connected with the sale of goods or services. Those “efforts” include any discussion of changing behavior or even seeking to reduce same-sex attraction.

Some critics have worried the proposed law could include the ban of books that outline the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality. It seems certain to outlaw paid counseling aimed at helping a person who is seeking to live consistently with the Scriptures.

It’s important to note that following the Bible’s teaching doesn’t mean a person’s temptations will vanish. But it does mean he or she can learn to follow God’s commands, by His grace.

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Read another article on this topic: Hawaii Becomes 12th State to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy for Minors