Quick Takeaways

• Scripture calls parents to protect and love their children unconditionally, not to outsource that sacred responsibility to outside programs.

• Jesus' greatest commandment was love. Shame-based approaches push children away from both family and faith.

• Conversion therapy has been ruled consumer fraud in court and causes documented harm, including depression and suicidal thoughts.

• Faith-based alternatives exist that strengthen family bonds while honoring your beliefs.

• You can hold your convictions and love your child well. These are not competing goals.

When your child shares that they are struggling with questions about their gender or identity, the instinct to search Scripture for answers is natural. You want to do right by your child and right by God. The good news is that you do not have to choose between your faith and your family.

What Does the Bible Actually Teach About Parenting?

Scripture is clear about one thing above all else: parents are called to love, protect, and guide their children. Proverbs speak of training a child in the way they should go. But that training happens at home, through relationships, prayer, and patient presence. It does not happen through strangers who profit from your fear.

Jesus' primary command was to love. When asked about the greatest commandment, He pointed to loving God and loving your neighbor. Your child is your closest neighbor. Shaming them in the name of biblical truth will not bring them closer to God. It will push them away from both you and their faith.

Faith advocate Susan Cottrell, who navigated this journey with her own daughter, offers this wisdom: your job with these children God has entrusted to you is to love them to the ends of the earth. Be a safe place for your child, whatever their story. God will bring out the treasure in them.

Why Conversion Therapy Is Not a Biblical Solution

Some parents hear about conversion therapy and assume it aligns with scriptural values. It does not. Conversion therapy has been ruled consumer fraud in court, with practitioners found liable for making false promises they could never deliver. Courts have documented that these programs use shame, coercion, and manipulation rather than anything resembling pastoral care.

The data confirms what families have experienced firsthand. Research shows young people exposed to these practices face significantly higher rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and lasting trauma. Many who went through conversion therapy report that it damaged not only their mental health but also destroyed their faith entirely. They felt abandoned by God when the promised change never came.

This is the opposite of what Christian parents want for their children.

What Faith-Aligned Guidance Actually Looks Like

Christian parents whose child has disclosed same-sex attraction or gender confusion often feel caught between two painful options: abandon their beliefs or abandon their child. Neither is necessary.

Faith-based alternatives to conversion therapy focus on what actually helps families. These approaches prioritize strengthening the parent-child relationship, developing healthy coping skills, and addressing any underlying mental health concerns without attempting to change who your child is at their core.

Brandon Boulware, a Christian father from Missouri, spent years trying to change his child before realizing the truth. When I finally let go of my fear and let him be who God made him to be, I got my son back, he shared. My job is not to fix my kid. It is to love them.

Organizations like FreedHearts, founded by Susan and Robert Cottrell (Robert served as an Evangelical pastor for more than 20 years), provide support specifically for families navigating these questions from a faith perspective. Their resources help parents stay rooted in Scripture while keeping their families whole.

Protecting Your Child Is Your Sacred Responsibility

Scripture calls parents to be protectors. That protection extends to guarding your child from harmful practices disguised as help. When outside practitioners promise to fix your child for thousands of dollars, they are not offering biblical counsel. They are exploiting your love and fear for profit.

No outside counselor should profit from a family's pain. The safest path is the one a family walks together.

The families who come through this season strongest are those who keep communication open, stay present through the hard conversations, and refuse to let outsiders drive a wedge between parent and child. Faith teaches that love endures all things. That includes this.

Your Next Step

You do not need all the answers today. You need only enough to get through right now. Start by being present with your child. Pray together. Ask questions because you want to understand, not because you want to talk them out of their feelings.

If you are searching for guidance that honors both your faith and your family, explore the resources on our site. Connect with other Christian parents who have walked this road and emerged with deeper faith and stronger family bonds.

Your child needs you now more than ever. With the right support, your family can come through this season closer and more resilient.

FAQs

What does the Bible say about conversion therapy?

The term "conversion therapy" does not appear in Scripture. What the Bible does emphasize is parental love, protection, and guidance. Jesus' greatest commandment was to love God and love your neighbor. Shame-based practices that damage children and divide families run counter to these core biblical principles.

Can I be a faithful Christian and still support my child who says they are transgender?

Yes. Countless Christian families have found ways to hold their beliefs while keeping their children close. Faith-based resources exist specifically to help parents navigate this journey without abandoning either their convictions or their child. The goal is family unity and your child's well-being, not forcing a choice between the two.

Is conversion therapy the same as faith-based counseling?

No. Legitimate faith-based counseling focuses on supporting the whole person, strengthening family relationships, and developing healthy coping skills. Conversion therapy, by contrast, promises to change a person's orientation or identity, a promise no ethical practitioner can make. Any program that guarantees a fixed outcome should raise serious red flags.

What are safer alternatives to conversion therapy for Christian parents?

Faith-aligned alternatives include family therapy approaches that keep relationships intact, pastoral counselors trained in evidence-based methods, and organizations like FreedHearts and Fortunate Families that offer resources specifically for Christian parents. These approaches have been shown to reduce depression and suicide risk while honoring faith values.

Why do some churches still recommend conversion therapy?

Some churches remain unaware of the documented harms or believe outdated claims about these practices. As more research emerges and more families share their experiences, many faith communities are reconsidering their approach. Parents are encouraged to research any recommended program carefully and prioritize their child's safety above all else.