Scottish independence: Self rule would be a ‘provocation of God’ say Wee Frees

By ALASDAIR MUNRO
Published on 19/06/2012 15:47

AN INDEPENDENT Scotland would weaken the position of the Christian Church and be a ‘provocation of God’, according to the Free Presbyterians.

• Spokesman for Scottish Free Presbyterians said religion and morality in a ‘terrible’ state across Britain

• Wee Frees ‘uneasy’ about secularisation or any changes to existing arrangements

• SNP have no plans to alter role of established church, says Alasdair Allan

Rev Allan MacColl, spokesman for the Scottish Free Presbyterians, known as the ‘Wee Frees’ said religion and morality were in a “terrible” state across Britain.

He added: “But present constitutional arrangements guarantee Christian religion in its position at the heart of the nation, and defends the position of the church and the Bible clearly teaches that.

“It is the duty of all nations to recognise the position of Christ church and any move away from that would not only be dangerous for the church, it is dangerous for the people.”

Speaking of the Independence referendum, the Rev MacColl added: “We are very uneasy about any move to secularise, or even change the existing arrangements.”

He said the church could not tell people how to vote in a referendum on independence, but could warn them.

He added that independence would weaken the position of the Christian Church ‘at the heart of the nation’.

Rev McColl also said the Treaty of Union secured the Protestant religion and Presbyterian church and any change “would be a provocation of God”.

Education Minister Alasdair Allan said the SNP had no plans to alter the present role of the established church.

The Western Isles SNP MSP said it was respectful of the role of religion.

Mr Allan said the Synod of Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland had expressed similar views in the past.

He said: “To refer to some of the issues raised by the Synod, however, it should be stressed that the SNP has no plans to alter the present role of the established church upon independence, and is respectful of the role of religion in Scotland.

“The SNP would also keep the Queen as head of state after independence.”