A minister in the Church of Scotland has accused Christian charity Scripture Union (SU) of discriminating against homosexuals, it was reported in May.
The Revd David Young, from Helensburgh Parish Church, told the Kirk’s General Assembly: ‘A member of my staff was told she would not be welcome in helping to lead an SU group because she is in a same-sex marriage.’
Andy Bathgate, Chief Executive of Scripture Union Scotland, said the attack was ‘very, very concerning’ but ‘not entirely surprising, given the decisions that have been made by the Church of Scotland’ in recent years.
SU’s ethos statement for volunteers is clear: ‘In our present culture we feel the need to emphasise that SU staff and volunteers display distinctiveness in the area of sexual purity, avoiding even a “hint of sexual immorality.”’
Bathgate confirmed that SU Scotland has no plans to change its policy: ‘We’re simply making a clear statement about what we have always believed about what God’s intention is for sexual relations.
‘That is fundamental to us as an organisation that is built on scripture … we’re calling staff and volunteers to live a distinctive Christian lifestyle.’
