Proceed with caution on Hate Crime Bill

There are many millions around the world for whom study of religious texts is a cornerstone of their faith. For example, practising Catholics and Protestants look to the Bible while Islam holds the Quran sacred.

Debate over faith and the meaning of the words contained within those religious texts have spanned millennia.

And it is true that over the centuries many fights have been had and wars have been waged in their name.

But surely few in modern society would suggest the simple act of owning a Bible or a Quran for the purpose of religious observance was an act motivated by anything other than personal faith.

However, Scotland’s Catholic bishops have now raised their concerns that possessing the Bible could amount to an offence if the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill makes it on to the statute book in its current guise.

They fear the Bible’s teachings could be construed as inflammatory under the proposed provisions, putting its possessor at odds with the law.

It is a nonsense scenario, but it is far from the only issue raised with the proposed new legislation.

Campaigners from many walks of life in Scotland fear the Bill, if passed, would impinge on long held freedoms and could be used to close down legitimate debate.

In order to stay relevant and protect society’s vulnerable, the law must evolve. But Scotland’s parliamentarians would do well to proceed with extreme caution.