The leader of the Free Church of Scotland has criticised a call to make LGBT education compulsory in all schools across Scotland.
Revd David Robertson, Moderator of the Free Church, said the proposal is a “Trojan horse to impose an ideological perspective on all pupils”.
Pro-LGBT group Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) has launched a petition demanding that children as young as five learn about homosexual, bisexual and transgender issues, and this week it addressed the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee.
Human rights
Revd Robertson said that making LGBT education compulsory would breach the human rights of Christian parents.
He made it clear that “no pupils should be bullied in school for their beliefs and for the pursuit of a particular lifestyle and morality”.
… the real object of the petition is to indoctrinate school pupils with one particular perspective on moral and sexual ethics
David Robertson
But, he added: “Human rights legislation says that ‘the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions’.
“The petitioner’s demand for statutory teaching of such topics without provision for parents and pupils who disagree is in direct conflict with this legislation.”
Indoctrination
The Free Church Moderator continued: “We believe that the real object of the petition is to indoctrinate school pupils with one particular perspective on moral and sexual ethics and one which is contrary to mainstream Christianity.
“We believe this is a Trojan horse to impose an ideological perspective on all pupils, whether they want it or not.
He concluded by saying it begs the question, “what about the rights of those students who would feel excluded by this teaching?”
LGBT education
In April this year, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) backed the promotion of LGBT History Month and an ‘LGBT inclusive’ curriculum in England at its annual conference in Harrogate.
Speaking before the General Election, Christine Blower, the General Secretary of the NUT, said all political parties should adopt its proposals.
“This includes making it compulsory for all schools’ sex education policies to include a positive portrayal of same sex relationships, promoting LGBT History Month in all schools, and encouraging schools to develop a curriculum that is inclusive of LGBT issues”, she stated.
Act of intolerance
However, The Christian Institute said it would force Christian teachers “to have to choose between their faith and their job”.
Simon Calvert, The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director for Public Affairs, said: “This motion is itself an act of intolerance towards mainstream Christians and their beliefs.”
“I wonder whether Christian members of the NUT who have paid their dues can expect any help from the NUT when their jobs are on the line”, he added.