CONTROVERSIAL
Yesterday (1st April 2024) The Hate Crime and Public Scotland Act (2021) came into force amind a deluge of controversy. JK Rowling the world famous author of the Harry Potter series, who lives in Edinburgh went on the social platform X, challenging the police to arrest her because of her stance in the transgender debate. Ally McCoist the Rangers manager has also weighed in on the debate claiming that he along with 48,000 fans will be breaking the law at the Old Firm match in the Ibrox stadium this coming Saturday. There is no doubt that a hornets nest has been stirred up by Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf who as Justice Minister in Nicola Sturgeon’s Government conceived and piloted this legislation through the Scottish Parliament.
According to the Christian Institute, the Scottish Government claims that this legislation “will provide greater protection for people with protected characteristics including religion, sexual orientation and ‘transgender identity’.” Therefore some groups of people receive a greater degree of protection from hate crime than others. Those groups which are protected are then liable to make a complaint when someone objects to their sexuality, their religion or their lifestyle. The implementation of the law however, has been so slow because of the complexities in preparing the police for implementation. This extraordinary delay, highlights not only confusion but speaks of bad legislation.
What incenses JK Rowling is that the law appears to prohibit her from affirming that gender immutable. A man is always a man and a woman is always a woman in her opinion and she should be allowed to say so. This particular issue is of interest to Christians because the Bible teaches that we are made male or female, this is an unalterable biological and scientific fact.
It will be interesting to see how the Scottish police react to JK Rowling’s very public challenge because she named some prominent transgender activists insisting their gender to be their birth gender.
(Since publishing this article it has been reported that JK Rowling will not be investigated by the police JK Rowling -hate law posts not criminal, police say https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-68712471. This decision by the Scottish Police makes one wonder:
Is the legislation fit for purpose?
Will this decision become a precedent which others which draw on in their quest for freedom of speech?
Has JK Rowling been treated differently on account of her high profile?
Have the police taken this action because of the huge avalanche of criticism they would face if they had acted?)
DEEPER CONCERNS
As Christians, however, our concern runs much deeper. Thankfully amendments were passed through the formation of this legislation which protect evangelism. That being said, how will the Scottish police react when a Christian preacher condemns Mohammed in a way that Muslims consider to be blasphemous?
There is a current flowing through the heart of the western world today which wishes to not only undermine Scripture but inhibit the public proclamation of the Word of God. One of the outcomes of the Protestant Reformation was freedom of speech. One has a right to articulate one’s views and beliefs even they offend others. There are some who would wish to prevent identifying certain behaviours as sinful because this is disturbing (in their twisted logic) and can actually harm the minds of children and young people. In order to achieve this ungodly legislators will wish to target certain freedoms within our society, especially freedom of speech.
As Christians, we do of course condemn hatred in all of its forms. There is nothing good about the display of a manifest hatred of others. Such a spirit of hatred will break laws that are already in existence – where there is a disturbance of the peace, where threats are issued against people and where there are acts of violence and destruction. There are no shortage of good laws to protect our freedoms when people attempt to subvert the freedoms of others.
This new law in Scotland is not a hate crime law, however but a freedom restricting law – therein lies the danger.
Therefore, we must be watchful lest other parts of the UK follow suit. The Republic of Ireland is currently drafting similar legislation. We are reassured, however, by the current stance of Prime Minister Sunak whose spokesperson has spoke of the chilling effects such legislation will have on freedom of speech. Bizarrely a Scottish Government campaign publicising this new law ahead of its introduction has encouraged people to come forward when hurtful words are directed towards them. Hurt is not necessarily about what is said; it is about how the words are taken. The subjective nature of the interpretation of the legislation will certainly chill freedom of speech.
We are confident, however, in the resolve, courage and conviction of the true Church of Christ not only in Scotland but across these islands. As with the apostles who chose to obey God rather than men, the Church must stand firm speaking the truth faithfully and in love. If JK Rowling and others are willing to stand out for the important issues they are passionate about how much more should the Church not show true grit and determination and be resolute in proclaiming the old truths of Scripture to this dying and decadent world!
Further Reading
Clogher Valley Free Presbyterian Church 
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