The co-convener of the Scottish Greens in the Scottish Parliament has said that those who disagree with homosexual marriage should be prevented from becoming MSPs.  During the debate on passing the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Bill he argued against political parties selecting candidates who do not accept homosexual activity.

The BBC reported that Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie slammed the “cowardice” of SNP MSP John Mason and other members for “quietly assenting” to the legislation while holding contrary personal beliefs.   Glen Campbell on BBC Reporting Scotland 6:30 p.m. news reported Harvie as saying that “those opposed to same sex relationships should not be allowed to become MSPs.”  “It is time, I believe, for a little less patience,” said Harvie, describing those opposed to his view as “bigots”.

This manifests the controlling agenda in which the tail thinks that it can wag the dog.  It shows the spirit behind aggressive secularism and how far and how quickly Scotland is losing its civil and religious liberties.

Harvie’s opinion is contrary to the Presiding Officer’s opening remarks in which he was required to rule and then declared that this legislation did not modify the electoral system and franchise for Scottish parliamentary elections.  If Harvie gets his way, electors will not have the choice to vote for candidates who have Christian opinions on sexuality.  This is contrary to Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: ‘Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives’ and Article 10 of The Human Rights Act 1998.  Not if Harvie has his way.

The opening speech by the Justice Minister spoke about ‘discrimination simply because of their sexuality’ but Harvie will prevent political involvement simply because of their opinions.  The Justice Minister spoke about ‘laws which criminalised individuals because of their sexuality’ but Harvie’s opinions advocate laws which discriminate against individuals because of their opinions.  One person’s orthodoxy is another person’s heresy, and aggressive secularism wishes to root out heresy.  This is not the Christian approach.  Secular toleration is not the same as Christian toleration.  Christian Scotland worked out civil and religious liberties as long ago as the 16th century, but secular toleration has an iron fist inside its velvet glove.  The Justice Minister warned in the conclusion of his speech that there is still ‘discrimination lurking’ (he did not say where), necessitating hate-crime law.  So, Christians have been served notice that aggressive secularism is not finished with its campaign to silence Christian teaching in public life.

The Holyrood vote in favour of pardoning those formerly convicted of homosexual behaviour was unanimous.  Those For: 119, Against: 0 Abstain: 0.  This shows that the few remaining professing Christian MSPs in the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of this legislation although a few of them did not vote.  It is not clear to me if those convicted for loitering around toilets are being told that this behaviour is okay and whether this is to be permitted in future.

Let Christians waken up to the forced repentance preached by secular religion.  Christians are being forced out of public life and the thought police are becoming more aggressive.

It is time to have Christian politicians who know how to stand:

‘Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’

Eph 6:13.

Christians know that the forgiveness that really counts is God’s forgiveness:

‘Who can forgive sins but God only?’

Mark 2:7.

Thankfully, this forgiveness is full and free and does not need the Scottish Parliament nor any other Parliament.

‘Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s chosen ones? It is God Who justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also makes intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?’

Rom 8:33-35.

God’s love is the love worth having and God’s pardon is the real and lasting source of pardon and forgiveness.  It is a pity that it is not more generally known nor taught adequately in Scottish schools.

We need more Christian politicians.

Links:

Labour Party MP Chris Bryant said as long ago as 2010: “It’s amazing that the Tories ever selected him”, about a Conservative candidate who expressed disagreement with homosexual behaviour.  In effect, Bryant agrees with Harvie that such Christians should be denied political office.  The thought police have been active for a long time.

Nigel Farage disagrees with such dogmatism, accepting that people with such views can be politicians.

Update:

30 Jun 2018: persecution of Christian activist in Canada.

2 Oct 2019: secular speech forced upon medical doctors.