The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness on Wednesday, 24th May 1989, calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to strengthen the law on blasphemy against God and the Christian religion. The law should recognise that blasphemy against God, Jesus Christ and the Bible are in a different category from blasphemy against man and his beliefs. The law should be objectively defined and should not depend upon subjective feelings, such as outrage and insult, as the present law seems to do. Insults to religions other than Christianity should be treated separately and do not require further dilution of the present law respecting blasphemy.
The Synod deplores the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions not to attempt a prosecution respecting the film “The Last Temptation of Christ” which we believe to be blasphemous, and is a gross misrepresentation of the Son of God in human nature. We are concerned, that to our knowledge, the basis of the DPP’s decision has not been made readily available to the public. Further, any difficulty concerning whom to prosecute is more imaginary than real and should not deter the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Copies to Home Secretary; Church of Scotland; Church of England; Press; Mrs Mary Whitehouse; United Protestant Council; Director of Public Prosecutions; British Board of Film Censors; Inverness District Council.
The phrase “blasphemy against God and man” was queried. Rev. Fraser MacDonald gave as his view that we can only properly speak of blaspheming God, and with this Mr W. Taylor agreed.
The Clerk of Synod read out the acknowledgment of last year Synod’s Loyal Address and then the LOYAL ADDRESS FOR 1989 was read to the Synod by Rev. Fraser MacDonald and approved of.