The media have reported the remarks of Mr Alexander MacLean, a ruling elder in the Dingwall congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, made in his capacity as religious representative at the meeting of the Highland Council’s Education, Children and Adult Services (ECAS) Committee on 26 January 2017.
The Committee was dealing with a report, which it ultimately supported, called Time for Inclusive Education, advocating LGBT inclusive education in schools, purportedly intended to prevent bullying of LGBT pupils.
Along with Mr MacLean, we condemn all bullying. We refute accusations that his comments were “bigoted”, “pernicious and offensive”. We fully support Mr MacLean and consider his measured remarks to be entirely justified and Biblical.
As a religious representative on the Committee, it is Mr MacLean’s duty to uphold the true religion of the Bible, and to oppose all that is contrary to it, which includes LGBT inclusive education.
The Bible teaches clearly that marriage is to be between one man and one woman. The Lord Jesus Christ declared: “From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:6-9).
By promoting what is contrary to the Divine Head of the Christian Church and to the Bible at large, LGBT advocates cause disharmony at all levels of society.
Revs K M Watkins and J R Tallach, Clerk and Assistant Clerk of Synod
30 January 2017