Posted on 08/20/2013 8:15:19 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
A conservative legal group has stated its intentions to file a lawsuit against New Jersey over a recently signed law banning sexual orientation conversion therapy for minors.
Mat Staver, founder and chairman of The Liberty Counsel, confirmed to The Christian Post on Monday his organization's plan to file the suit. "We will be filing suit," said Staver, adding that the suit should be submitted "later this week."
On Monday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law A-3371, a bill that would ban the controversial practice of reparative therapy (also called conversion therapy) for minors. A-3371 enjoyed bipartisan support in the Garden State's Legislature, with both houses voting overwhelmingly in favor of the bill. A-3371 was sponsored by Assemblymen Timothy J. Eustace, Herb Conaway, Jr., John J. Burzichelli, Holly Schepisi, and Reed Gusciora. All the sponsors except Republican Schepisi were Democrats.
Weeks passed from when the Legislature sent A-3371 to his desk until Christie announced that he would sign it. In a statement, Christie said he believed government "should tread carefully into this area" and that he signed it with the belief that the well-being of children took precedence. "However, I also believe that on the issues of medical treatment for children we must look to experts in the field to determine the relative risks and rewards," said Christie.
"I believe that exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate."
In a statement provided to The Christian Post by the Liberty Counsel, Staver criticized the law for infringing on the rights of parents and counselors. "The New Jersey governor is putting himself in every counseling room, dictating what kind of counseling clients can receive," said Staver.
"This bill provides a slippery slope of government infringing upon the First Amendment rights of counselors to provide, and patients to receive, counseling consistent with their religious beliefs."
Staver also said in his statement released after the signing of the bill that A-3371 was also dangerous broad regarding its language. "This bill is so broad that parents would be prohibited from seeking help for their son who developed unwanted same-sex attractions after being molested by the likes of Jerry Sandusky," said Staver.
"Counselors would only be allowed to affirm these unwanted feelings as good and normal. This is absurd and dangerous. This law would inflict serious damage to children, parents, and counselors."
This is not the first lawsuit the Liberty Counsel has filed against a state government over a ban on reparative therapy for minors. Last year, when California Governor Jerry Brown signed a similar bill into law, the legal group immediately filed suit on behalf of families and counselors.
Charla Bansley, communications director for the Liberty Counsel, told The Christian Post that the decision regarding the suit against the California law was still pending.
"It is pending. We got an injunction, and we are awaiting the decision from the court of appeals," said Bansley regarding the California suit filed last year.
“I've always believed that people are born with the predisposition to be homosexual. And so I think if someone is born that way it's very difficult to say then that's a sin. But I understand that my church says that, but for me personally I don't look at someone who is homosexual as a sinner.”
And he has the right to intervene in decisions that should be made by parents because.....?
Chris, that is a belief statement. Using your beliefs to squash other peoople’s beliefs is not very liberal of you.
Bu-Bye Christie....
Once he was caught on camera giving Obama an extended Lewinski he just decided to abandon any pretense of being a centrist.
What ever happened to “ choice”, and “ keeping the government out decisions between a patient and doctor”?
Christie cast away facts, the testimony of tens of thousands of former homosexuals, medical expertise far beyond his own, the Holy Bible, and his Church. All for his sentiments.
When politicians become and speak on bio-genetics, bio- engineering and religion, ie, jack of all trades and master of none - they have crossed the line.
I don’t know his background but I am sure his background is in those areas and he needs to shut up while jumping the shark.
I do not understand why it’s the government job to create a law like this. If people want counseling to help them overcome what they percevie as an issue in their personal lives, how is that anyone’s business but their own? And how is this law not a violation of 1st Amendment rights?
And his sentiments are born out of fear of the powerful and aggressive Sodomite lobby who taste victory.
The best thing about this issue is that it has exposed Chris Christie for what he is, a rudderless politician with no certain ideological grounding. I don’t know who he thinks is going to vote for him on a national level.
Is he perhaps living in a pink closet?
Only thing different with Christie vs Obama is 200 pounds
Just ask Anne Heche. You know, the actress and lesbian who is Ellen DeGeneres' ex. She must still be a lesbian, right?
Oh wait...now she is straight, married and has two kids?
Hmmm...I'm confused, Crispy Creme Christie...tell me again how "gays" can never change.
So if a kid is “questioning” he/she cannot be counseled NOT to try homosexual acts? Only PRO-homosexual indoctrination?
What kind of junk science is this?
The same with Bill DeBlasio’s wife, who was an outspoken lesbian until getting married to Bill and having kids. So what happened, how is it that she converted? Driving too close to Three-Mile-Island one day?
Where did the term “bi-sexual” come from? Obviously people can go both ways.
Sex is learned, and wrong sex can be learned, and that is what is happening.
There is no scientific proof of being born gay. It is a canard, the big lie, and they are passing ridiculous laws because leaders are afraid to stand up to the gay lobby.
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