Messaging from the Scottish Government and Police Scotland concerning the recently implemented Hate Crime and Public Order Act has been ‘disastrously bad,’ but Christian views are protected, according to Christian Institute Deputy Director Simon Calvert.
He stressed that while there are problems with the law, such as the inclusion of ‘stirring up hatred’ offences covering contested areas such as religion and sexuality, Christian views are protected.
He said: ‘The important thing for Christians in Scotland to remember is that the law is still on the side of free speech. We campaigned heavily on the Hate Crime Bill as it went through the Scottish Parliament and helped secure a series of important concessions which, taken together and properly applied, protect the ability of Christians to wisely and faithfully explain biblical truth without being convicted of a hate crime.’
