Ross Greer MSP, Scottish Greens spokesman for finance, education, constitution and external affairs, on how he mixes politics and faith – and still supports gay marriage.
When equal marriage was passed into law a decade ago, it had the support of a majority of Christians. Some might remember the first same-sex wedding ceremonies and the outpouring of rainbow-wrapped emotions.
Since then the Church of Scotland and Episcopal churches have begun conducting same-sex marriages and the Kirk has also issued an unconditional apology to the LGBTQ community for the hurt it caused.
Most Christians back LGBTQ equality, not in spite of our faith but because of it. Jesus stood with and for the marginalised and excluded. He preached a radical message of liberation. Not once did he say anything in condemnation of LGBTQ people.
In a society where queer people once again face growing hate and discrimination, I believe Jesus would stand on the side of love.
The debate around the SNP’s leadership election has caused a lot of people to ask whether a person of faith can lead the country. As a Christian in politics, that question misses the point completely. Indeed, plenty of those leading the campaign of hate against the LGBTQ community are atheists.
Some have suggested a politician’s religious beliefs should be separate from their political ones, but how would that work? I am a person with a set of values shaped by my faith and put into practice through politics. Atheists aren’t expected to separate their morals from their political ideology, as that’s not possible. So why should people of faith be expected to create an artificial divide?
The issue is whether anyone, a person or faith or not, believes that everyone should be treated equally before the law.
I’m proud my Church, the Kirk, has embraced equal marriage, that many of our Ministers now march at Pride and that we support the upcoming ban on so-called “conversion therapy”.
However much I disagree, I understand that other churches have considered the same issues and come to the opposite conclusion.
It should be possible, though, for a politician to say that while they don’t think their own Church should conduct same-sex marriages, they also believe the law should treat everyone equally and therefore would have voted for equal marriage.
Voting for equal marriage in Parliament and against it in your faith group is reconcilable as church and state are different things. Religious groups are voluntary and free to set their own rules.
Government and Parliament, on the other hand, have a duty to ensure everyone is treated equally.
That vision of a Scotland where everyone is treated equally and with dignity is one the Scottish Greens will fiercely defend.
It is a vision we’d insist any candidate for First Minister agree to, if they expect our support.
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