Watch what you say
by Lois McLatchie, The Critic:
Having grown up on the famous “Bonnie Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, I’ve always thought that Glasgow was the center of the universe. It was with some surprise this month that I saw the rest of the world catch on. The media has been rife with celeb-spotting on Sauchiehall Street – from articles about Leonardo do Caprio’s airfare, to rapturous praise for eco-warrior Carrie Johnson’s decision to wear a red Zara blazer twice. But not all of the star-studded guest list have made the trip. Her Majesty the Queen and Pope Francis kept their distance from the COP26 chaos. I myself deigned to join them. And what’s more, I think all three of us have at least one good common reason for doing so.
Yes, it may have been health reasons that the octo- and nonagenarian global leaders cited to excuse their absence from the world’s biggest climate congress. But — putting their diplomatic immunity aside for a moment — given the biblical beliefs that both have espoused in public, it’s just as well they’re not going to be roaming the streets of Glasgow, where free speech is notoriously restricted. For those who had any doubt about Pope Francis’s views on abortion, he clarified the matter in September.
“Abortion is murder,” he said. “Those who carry out abortions kill.”
And what about the Queen? As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, she carries her own Christian “baggage”. The Church supports and exclusively recognises Biblical marriage between a man and woman.
But this is a view held by about 1 in 5 Brits, you might argue. Surely there’d be no trouble for our Liz?
Unfortunately, the new Scottish Hate Crime and Public Order Law could potentially impose up to seven years in prison for those who voice traditional views about marriage and sexuality. At the very least, believers could be reported and face stressful police investigations. There are caveats for free speech, but whilst they allow for “antipathy, dislike, ridicule or insult” of religion, a lower threshold of “discussion or criticism” applies for matters of sexual orientation and gender identity.
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