Religious concern
Writing to the Smith Commission on behalf of The Free Church of Scotland, James Fraser CBE and Rev James Maciver have suggested that the secular value of equality is “harmful to society” and that it “threatens freedom of employment, freedom of speech and unfettered sexual equality in particular jeopardises the primacy of the heterosexual family”.
They complain that secular concerns make it “difficult for Christian organisations to recruit the Christian staff who share their beliefs and agenda”.
They argue against a “pluralistic society” preferring instead that universal values should be “embedded in our Christian heritage”. I am incredulous that such a privilege-laden agenda should be described by its exponents as “restoring a level playing field”.
While I fiercely defend the right of religious groups to submit their wish-lists to the Smith Commission, I am confident that the commission will negotiate what is right for Scots of all religions and none and will employ exactly the sense of equality and fairness which the Free Church wants to abandon.
Neil Barber
Edinburgh Secular Society
Saughtonhall Drive
Edinburgh