A petition started two weeks ago to urge the Google Play app store to ban a Christian app claiming to be able to “cure” homosexuality, has almost reached its 150,000 signatures target.

The app called Setting Captives Free claims: “Despite what you may have heard elsewhere, you do not have a ‘homosexual gene,’ nor were you born this way with no hope of freedom. You can be set free from the bondage of homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ and the cross!”

It claims that using a 60-day course, the app can “cure” homosexuality.

The app was banned from Apple’s App Store last week. A spokesperson for Google confirmed to PinkNews that the company is investigating the complaints made about the app.

At time of publishing, the app remained in the Google Play store, and the AllOut petition had received 135,619 signatures.

The organisation ‘Setting Captives Free’ has been in operation for some years.

In 2010, following publicity on PinkNews, Apple agreed to ban a similar app, ‘The Manhattan Declaration”. The app asked users whether they agree with four statements on abortion and same-sex marriage and those who answer that they are pro-choice and pro-gay marriage are told that they are incorrect.