THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

AND HOMOSEXUALITY

Click Here to Visit our Sponsors.

Following the union of the Crowns of Scotland and England in 1603 CE, attempts were made to forcibly conform the Church of Scotland to the Church of England (Anglican) model. The resultant conflict ended in 1690 with the establishment of the Church of Scotland as a Presbyterian denomination.

As of 2000-JAN, a law in Great Britain prohibits schools from teaching about homosexuality. It is called "Clause 28", and is a part of the Local Government Act (1986). There are indications that England and Wales are planning to repeal the law. However, some business people and the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland are attempting to keep the ban in place. ₁ 

The Church of Scotland's education committee supports the repeal of Clause 28. They conclude that the school curriculum should:

John Cairns, a senior official in the Church of Scotland called the existing law "completely useless." He said that it has created "fear and stigma" against homosexuals. The church's Convener, the Rev John J. Laidlaw, commented: "Young people in our schools are increasingly aware of the variety of sexual orientations and lifestyles, and education must start from where they are. Schools teach about positive relationships and that is the appropriate context in which to include understanding of sexual relationships."

A recent poll indicates that the citizens of Scotland want the law to remain on the books. Results were 2 to 1 in favor. Church official Ann Allen said "We are inundated with people in the Church of Scotland who are very dismayed that the church as a whole has not come out against the idea" of repealing the law.

References

1. ReligionToday news summary for 2000-JAN-21 
2. Church of Scotland news site at: http://www.cofs.org.uk/Techno.htm 

Copyright © 2000 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2000-JAN-21
Latest update: 2000-JAN-21
Author: B.A. Robinson