"Conversion therapy," as the Daily Caller wrote, "has historically referred to clinical attempts to stop patients from experiencing same-sex attraction." However, far-left activists and organizations have characterized the practice as "dangerous and discredited," claiming it causes "depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality." Beshear, keeping in step with the latter definition, banned "conversion therapy" for minors in an executive order issued on Wednesday.

Beshear wrote in the order, "The Commonwealth of Kentucky cannot reach its full potential until and unless it is free from discrimination by or against any citizen. ... Discrimination against our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, including our LGBTQ+ youth, is unacceptable in this Commonwealth." According to the governor, conversations with youth pertaining to LGBT matters are allowed, so long as they provide "acceptance, support, or understanding" that "does not seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity."

In a press release, Beshear added, "Conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science," and that the executive order "is about protecting our youth from an inhumane practice that hurts" children. But as some experts have pointed out, Beshear's executive order closes the door to necessary conversations.

"Ultimately," said David Walls, executive director of the Family Foundation, "this is about muzzling Christian counselors and even pastors from helping children struggling with sexual orientation or gender identity issues." He added, "We continue to believe that parents and their children should be free to seek counseling that they desire to seek, including faith-based counseling."

Kentucky Senator Robby Mills (R) pitched in on X, sharing in a post how Beshear's executive order could "have a chilling effect on Christian counseling, and possibly violate religious liberties." In a comment under the senator's post, one user expressed, "It's truly delusional that talking is labeled, 'conversion therapy,' while dangerous hormones and mutilating surgery are termed, 'gender-affirming care.'" Another stated, "Giving children drugs and surgery without first ... getting them mental health care is malpractice. Most kids grow out of gender dysphoria, why ruin their lives to be trendy?"

Joseph Backholm, Family Research Council's senior fellow for Biblical Worldview, shared his insight with The Washington Stand. "Counseling isn't a restaurant and 'conversion therapy' isn't a menu item you order," Backholm stated. "So, it's not like telling a store to remove a product that is dangerous from the shelves."

Rather, he continued, "Counseling is a process, and where you start is not where you end." In fact, "you often have no idea what the destination is when you begin." Considering this, it stands to reason that "what these bans try to do is say it's illegal to help someone embrace their sex or minimize certain sexual impulses even if they want to. The legislature is telling people, 'You're not allowed to get help with that.'"

As Backholm emphasized, "Abuse and manipulation by counselors is already banned in many ways, so this [order] doesn't limit them in any ways they aren't already limited." The reality, he insisted, is that "no one wants anyone to be abused," but because there are already safeguards in place preventing abusive counselors, Backholm agreed with critics of Beshear's order that it appears to be yet "another way the Left is working to silence the expression of ideas they disagree with."

In terms of a Biblical worldview, Backholm addressed what Christians can learn from these circumstances. As he pointed out, "What Christians need to be committed to is communicating the truth about who God made us to be, even when there's a cost." Echoing how there once was "liability for saying 'Jesus is Lord' for first century Christians," Believers today face "liability for saying 'boys aren't girls.'" But even with pushback, Backholm urged, "We need to say it anyway."

"The more pressure there is not to speak certain truths," he concluded, "the more important it is that those truths be spoken." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Sarah Holliday is a reporter at The Washington Stand. 

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

From Pulisic's 'Bible Time' to Team Prayer on the Field, US Gives 'Glory to God' at World Cup

Good News: Gasoline Drops Below $4 A Gallon

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Abandoning 30,000 Children as Democrats Push to Strip School Choice

Canada's Parliament Officially Passes 'Bible Ban' Bill C-9

Occupied Britain: Muslim Rape Gang Report Warns against Dangers of Mass Immigration (Part 1)

Obama Center Contractors Say Millions Are Owed

VP Vance Defends Iran Deal, Says It Will Benefit Both America and Israel

President Trump Signs MOU with Iran During Dinner at Palace of Versailles (VIDEO)

[Watch] JD Vance Ventures Onto 'The View,' Serves Up an Unforgettable Schooling

School District Pays $95K to Settle Lawsuit After Painting Over Bible Verse Tribute to Charlie Kirk

Is MLB Treating Christians Differently? Senator Hawley Demands Answers

Hundreds of Thousands of Antidepressants Recalled Over Potential Cancer Risk

12 Key Points on Iran Peace Deal Revealed, as Trump Says He'll Likely Read It to Media So They Get It Right

Election Results: Trump-Backed Candidates Win 3 Senate Primary Contests, Lose in Georgia Governor's Race

A Mother's Concern, Call to Authorities May Have Prevented Potential Terror Attack on UFC Event at the White House

Feds Name Five Individuals Charged in UFC Freedom 250 Terror Plot

Video: Iran Soccer Fans Defy FIFA Autocrats and Fly 'Lion & Sun' Pre-Islamic Regime Flags

Good News: Nearly 60 Planned Parenthood Facilities Have Shut Down Since Trump Took Office

Illinois Man Receives Prison Sentence for Killing Unborn Baby With Abortion Pills

Louisiana Dad Poisons His Daughter with Abortion Drug in Latest Mifepristone Horror Story