A picture of Fraser presenting at an event with the headline of the Herald article below: '"Churches have too much power over SNP." Anger at religion's influence.'

Our CEO interviewed in The Herald on influence of international religious right in Scotland

October 21, 2024

Our CEO Fraser Sutherland was interviewed by Neil Mackay in yesterday’s Herald on Sunday. Fraser talks about the influence of the international religious right on debates from assisted dying to trans rights, and how Scotland (and us) became a lightning rod for their fury.

Fraser told Neil that he often receives hate mail accusing him of being “Satan’s foot soldier”. It’s a weird insult for someone who wants to protect religious people from persecution, and isn’t even sure if he’s an atheist.

The rise of the religious right

Fraser explained how, even though churches are declining in Britain, the religious right is a powerful force globally. The melding of extreme right politics with fundamentalist Christianity can be seen around the world from America to Hungary. Scotland, with its recent history of progressive politics, has become a “lightning rod” for the global religious right.

This affects debate in Scotland. So too do the hardline social conservatism and religious evangelism of our deputy first minister Kate Forbes. “The Kirk has an influence which outweighs any other sector of society or lobbying group. There’s this deference from government towards religion — this idea that it’s really important to hear from religious groups on topics like LGBT+ rights, abortion, and assisted dying.”

Fake grass roots

Fraser also brought up “astroturfing” by religious organisations: setting up fake “grassroots” groups. On the issue of assisted dying, the group Our Duty of Care presents itself as concerned “healthcare professionals”. But it’s funded by Care Not Killing, whose board chair was chief executive of Christian Action Research and Education.

“During public consultations on issues like assisted dying or buffer zones,” Fraser added, “MSPs are spammed to hell by automated responses. There’s an ongoing campaign of trying to make out that there’s a bigger public concern about these issues than there actually is. If you speak to the public on assisted dying they’re overwhelmingly supportive — the same with abortion.”

Even though churches are declining in Britain, the religious right is a powerful force globally. The melding of extreme right politics with fundamentalist Christianity can be seen around the world from America to Hungary.

Bias in assisted dying debate

Sutherland questioned why, when it comes to assisted dying, there has been no meeting between the parliamentary health committee considering the bill and people who are terminally ill. “Could you imagine any other piece of legislation where they wouldn’t speak to the people directly impacted?” By contrast, our first minister, a practicing Catholic, and his deputy have filled their diaries with meetings with religious groups opposing assisted dying and other progressive causes.

Trans rights and women’s rights

Fraser spoke of his astonishment at the vitriol directed at trans people. When one trans person breaks the law or behaves threateningly online, the while community gets tarnished, he said. “If you’re able to weaponise hate towards one small minority, the same could happen to British Indians, Jewish people — any other group”.

Sutherland also believes that women’s rights and LGBT rights are no longer safe given the rise of the far right and the religious right globally. “If we’ve learned anything in the past 10 years it should be that Roe v Wade shows the debate is not settled.” The attempt to “roll back” rights for women and minorities will continue, he warned.

Read the whole article here

Support our campaign work, make a donation today

Our campaign work is funded by the generous support of our members and supporters. Support our campaign work and help to create a fairer Scotland and world.

Find out more

Donate now

Cartoon showing a person dropping a coin into a collection box.

Join us!

Your membership will help to fund our campaign work to make Scotland a more secular, rational, and socially just country, and to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to humanist ceremonies to mark important life events.

Find out more

Join now