The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Why is this religious intolerance confined to devout Christians like Forbes?
Sir, – I refer to your letters page of May 3 when you published two very contrasting views of Kate Forbes’ suitability to be Scotland’s first minister.
The first, from Danny Grant in Aultbea – and with which I am in full agreement – contrasted the difference of acceptability for high office of those who are of religious persuasions other than Christian e.g. the UK prime minister (Hindu), the London mayor and our outgoing first minister (Muslim) yet, here in Scotland, we have outpourings of doubt on this talented young woman’s suitability for the post because of her religion and her personal views on a single issue.
The letter from Neil Barber of the Secular Society was couched in somewhat over-the-top language, scared of a young women who has integrity, honesty and concern for her country in spades. I am no Scottish nationalist but give me any time someone of Kate’s intelligence, ability and professed Christianity.
If readers wish to consider one of the most powerful, kind and gentle comments on this whole subject they should read the recently published statement from Neil Lal, chairman and president of the Indian Council of Scotland and United Kingdom Indian Council of Scotland which I have been given and which I hope you will publish in The Press and Journal:
“It is with increased discomfort we view the unseemly language being used to denigrate Kate Forbes MSP – a potential candidate for the office of first minister.
“Let me be very clear
– I do not support the fragmenting of the United Kingdom but that does not prevent me, nor the Indian
Councils of Scotland and the United Kingdom, from expressing our collective disgust at the language used to mis-characterise a young, Scottish Protestant, Kate Forbes.
“She is, in our view, doing her utmost as a devout Christian to adhere to the teachings of her saviour.
“I have never met Ms Forbes – but I understand her family distinguished themselves in India. Her father worked as an accountant managing the finances of a group of Christian mission hospitals which ensured people living in poverty were able to access free healthcare.
“For that alone, the Indian Councils of Scotland and the United Kingdom salute the Forbes family.
“As a child in India, we know Ms Forbes will have been imbued with a deep love and affection for the people, their traditions, religions, and varying
social and economic circumstances.
“Are some members of her own party and the extremists of the Greens really saying a young Highland lady, and a follower of Jesus Christ, is not fit to hold the highest office in devolved Scotland?
“If every other faith was
subjected to the scrutiny and opprobrium Ms Forbes and her Church is subjected to, few would be deemed fit for office by the secular ‘religious police’.
“Religious intolerance blights our society – and what has been said and written about Ms Forbes shames us all. I am not from her religious tradition, but
I commend her honesty and the uncomplicated simplicity of her Christian faith. Her mother and father laboured as devout Scottish Christians in India. Sadly, it appears, their talented daughter is not allowed to express her faith in her native land.”
I’ll finish this note with a quote from Kate Forbes, speaking on the BBC.
She said: “I believe in the person of Jesus Christ, I believe He died for me, He saved me and that my calling is to serve and to love Him and to serve and love my neighbours with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. So that, for me, is essential to my being.
“Politics will pass. I was a person before I was a politician, and that person will continue to believe that I am made in the image of God.”