Christians in public life face ‘prejudice’
MSP faced abuse for his comments on Derek Mackay
A Perthshire politician has said he thinks there is “prejudice” against public figures who are openly Christian.
Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, also revealed he received abuse when his Christian values prompted him to call on people not to hate shamed former finance secretary Derek Mackay.
Mr Fraser was speaking to the PA ahead of a seminar at Perth Baptist Church later this month, posing the question about the role of religion in politics.
There he will appear alongside the new finance secretary Kate Forbes MSP, who has received some criticism from some quarters because of her desire not to rush into gender recognition legislation.
As a Christian, Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser will be joining Ms Forbes in Perth for a seminar about what it means to be a Christian in politics.
Mr Fraser, who was raised as a Christian, admits his faith could “potentially be a struggle” in his role as a politician, but says he has never had to choose between his faith and his party as moral issues such as assisted suicide are conscience votes where MSPs vote freely on their own personal conscience rather a political line.
Reflecting on the proposed update to the Gender Recognition Act to allow trans people to self-identify, he spoke in almost admiration at how Kate Forbes was prepared to speak out when she was in a Scottish minister.
Mr Fraser believes there are serious issues to be looked at in updating the Gender Recognition Act, such as if a male prisoner identifies as female and is transferred to a women’s prison. He thinks there is a need to look at all the implications and welcomes the Scottish Government’s decision to put it back.
The MSP adds: “There seems a lot of prejudice against Christians in public spaces with a misconception about what they believe. They say Christians are judgemental - but the gospel message is primarily about love.”
The Conservative member actually faced a barrage of criticism for not being judgemental about Derek Mackay’s fall from grace. Following the revelations about his former political rival, Mr Fraser tweeted: “We should hate the sin not the sinner.” He said: “I got abuse for that - mostly from my own side.
“On a personal level, I feel sympathy for [Derek Mackay].
“That’s not to excuse what he did. He is still a human being who needs our sympathy and support and particularly for his family.”
Mr Fraser believes the political system is very “confrontational” and centred around identity in terms of whether you are a remainer or a Brexiteer, a nationalist or unionist.
He says: “You cannot reach out to the other side in any form.
“I tweeted Kate Forbes to say well done and someone said I may as well join the SNP,” he laughs.
Mr Fraser says there is a group of Christian MSPs from a wide range of churches and across the political divide. There is even an early morning prayer group in the Scottish Parliament.
During the run up to the independence referendum in 2014, Mr Fraser toured the country with nationalist John Mason MSP presenting their viewpoints at various churches the length and breadth of the country.
He said: “A lot of the churches we spoke to appreciated the ability to discuss, what was a heated issue, in a gracious and respectful manner.”
And it is being able to debate in a “gracious and respectful manner” that Mr Fraser seeks to live out his faith. He insists he is not a Christian politician but “a politician who is a Christian.”
Harry Moseley, outreach coordinator at Perth Baptist Church, told the PA this is the latest in events organised by the church following seminars on climate change and self-harm.
He feared Kate Forbes, who is one of the favourites to replace Nicola Sturgeon, may now be too busy with her new role but she has confirmed her attendance.
Mr Moseley said: “Scotland has traditionally been built on Christian principles but that’s not been accepted any more. I feel there needs to be a public discussion on this.”
Kieran Turner, a Labour activist and public policy officer at the Evangelical Alliance, is also scheduled to appear at the event on Saturday, February 29 at Perth Baptist Church. The free seminar, entitled ‘In a post-secular modern society, is there a place for Christianity in politics?,’ runs from 9.30am until noon.