Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Ruth Donaldson, who is CSW’s church relationships team leader for the United Kingdom.
Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament, thank you for the opportunity to address you and reflect with you this afternoon.
What would it be like to live in a world where everyone is free to believe? How might Scotland reflect that?
CSW strives for a world in which everyone is free to adopt a religion or belief of their choice free from harassment, free from oppression and free from persecution. We stand for freedom of religion or belief for all, which is also known as FORB. Whether you have faith or none at all, FORB safeguards diversity, democracy, development, rule of law, stability and prosperity. Furthermore, FORB is good for social cohesion and business.
In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, in what Christians call the Old Testament, the advice through the prophet Jeremiah is surprising. It says:
“seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Even in a foreign land, the prophet Jeremiah exhorts the exiled Israelites to build homes, plant gardens and pray for the city’s welfare. The passage offers a profound insight into the importance of seeking peace and prosperity for the broader society. It underscores a foundational Christian principle: the flourishing of a community is intertwined with the freedom and wellbeing of all its members. When people are free to practise their religion or belief, they contribute to the common good, fostering a society that thrives on mutual respect and co-operation.
In the New Testament, the parable of the good Samaritan, which is told by Jesus, demonstrates the moral imperatives that arise from true religious freedom. A man—robbed, beaten and left for dead on the road—was ignored by his own community, which we think should have helped him. Rather, it was a Samaritan, someone who would have been considered the “other”, who stopped to offer compassion and care. The Samaritan exemplifies the essence of loving one’s neighbour and not just one’s own community. The parable teaches that genuine compassion transcends cultural and religious boundaries.
FORB encourages an environment where such compassion can flourish. It allows individuals to act according to their deeply held moral convictions, fostering a society where acts of kindness and solidarity are common. We have seen recently the consequences when the “other” is feared or blamed, which can result in violence, oppression and fear.
Christian theology therefore highlights the intrinsic value of FORB as a means of promoting peace, resilience and compassion. By upholding this freedom, we not only honour the dignity of each person but create a society where diverse beliefs can coexist harmoniously, contributing to the collective welfare. Let us therefore commit to promoting and protecting this freedom, recognising it as a cornerstone of a just and thriving society.
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