In Australia in the State of Victoria, the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021 ( It ensures LGBTQ Victorians are able to live their lives authentically with pride and makes clear that a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity are not broken and do not need to be fixed.) comes into force today.  

Here’s how this new legislation will restrict Christian’s freedom to live out their faith, wherever they live in Australia …

This law gives broad powers to locate, investigate, and punish anyone who holds to and teaches Christian convictions on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Penalties could be as much as 10 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.

Complaints can be reported by “any person”, even those who are not affected and can be made anonymously – even about conduct in other states.

Those opposed to the Christian faith will be able to harass and silence churches, organisations, and individuals they don’t agree with.

No other law in Australia has this power to limit your religious freedom.

It could land anyone in jail for failing to toe the line on LGBT issues and, more disturbingly, it could imprison anyone who carries out religious practices such as prayer.

We should not be surprised to see this happening as Jesus told us beforehand that prior to His second coming to put things right, persecution of Christians and even being “hated by all for my name’s sake” will be the law of the land.

“And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Mark 13:11-13

Many Australians are already facing unfair treatment – people like …

• Hannah, who was banned from a café for reading the Bible
• Ian, a teacher whose job was threatened for expressing his religious beliefs on social media
• Jereth, a doctor who was suspended by the Medical Board and has been unable to practise for two years because of his social media posts.

The real fight is not political: it’s spiritual and only with us preaching the Gospel and the Holy Spirit transforming minds will God’s truth be made known.