While LGBTQ activists and progressive lawmakers claim that counseling to reduce unwanted same-sex attraction increases the risk of suicide, one researcher has published research showing that such counseling actually reduces that risk.
In a study published in September 2022, sociologist D. Paul Sullins analyzed previous research by John R. Blosnich and others. Blosnich had claimed in 2020 that Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) were “associated with twice the odds of lifetime suicidal ideation, 75% increased odds of planning to commit suicide, 88% percent increased odds of attempting suicide resulting in no or minor injury, and 67% increased odds of suicide attempt resulting in moderate or severe injury.”
Sullins exposed a glaring flaw in Blosnich’s study: It did not take into account whether or not the suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts took place before or after the people experienced SOCE. When Sullins examined the data with that in mind, he found that many of the suicidal exposures had actually occurred before the people ever received SOCE, meaning that SOCE could not have caused them.
In fact, Sullins found that following SOCE, suicidal thoughts, planning, intentions and attempts were all reduced dramatically. “Most of the suicidality did not follow SOCE in time but preceded it,” he wrote.
Since Sullins’ study appeared, Blosnich and several other researchers have called Sullins’ findings into question, resulting in a number of exchanges in the American Journal of Public Health and the Archives of Sexual Behavior. Each time, Sullins has responded in detail and concluded that his study’s findings still hold: SOCE does not increase but rather reduces the risk of suicide.
Sullins wrote in one response that Blosnich and his co-authors do not seem to comprehend that a suicide attempt that happened before SOCE could not possibly have resulted from SOCE.
According to Ben Johnson at The Washington Stand, 27 states have banned conversion therapy/SOCE efforts.
Decision Magazine, founded by Billy Graham in 1960, works through its website and monthly magazine to communicate the Gospel, as well as inform and challenge readers about key cultural and Biblical issues.
Ken Ham, in his article, “Conversion Therapy Bans Are a ‘Trojan Horse’,” explained that so-called “conversion therapy bans” are a direct assault on the religious freedom of Christians and their ability to speak Biblical truth:
“Conversion therapy bans” have been popping up throughout the West. Those pushing these bills claim they’re trying to protect people, often specifically children and teens who identify as LGBT, from supposed abusive practices (which do sometimes make up certain so-called “conversion therapies”). But what are these bans really all about?
Well, for years, conservative politicians and Christian commentators (including me) have been saying these “conversion therapy bans” are “Trojan horses” that pave the way for the bridling of free speech and the criminalization of those who believe and act on biblical principles. You see, LGBT activists claim that if you don’t fully embrace, support, and celebrate an LGBT lifestyle or identity, then that’s hate speech and harming someone because that person is more likely to commit suicide since you did not affirm them. In their minds and by their flawed logic, those who hold to the biblical belief that an LGBT identity and lifestyle are sinful are hurting other people and driving them to suicide; therefore such people (Christians specifically) don’t deserve to be able to speak their views. Many politicians are viewing this matter now as a civil rights issue—but it’s not. It’s a moral issue.
As believers, we must be prepared to continue sharing biblical truth regardless of what the culture around us says or threatens. Teaching God’s Word is not abusive or dangerous—the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). It is the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, with the power of the Holy Spirit, that free us from our slavery to sin (Romans 6:6) and makes us a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The time is coming when speaking biblical truth regarding sexuality will be illegal. But we must love people enough to continue to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), making disciples (Matthew 28:19), as we do the King’s business until he returns (Luke 19:13). Are we courageous enough to boldly state as Peter and the apostles did: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)?
