Incoming moderator says plight of faithful is ignored
The Herald 23 Feb 2015
THE next moderator of the Free Church in Scotland has forcefully attacked politicians for failing to protect Christians around the world.
In a strongly worded open letter to all of the UK’s political leaders, the Reverend David Robertson has asked why they have done nothing “for the most persecuted people in the world”.
The Dundee minister, who will take up the moderator’s role in May, also condemned the promise to make LGBTI rights a central plank of foreign policy as “cheap populism” and said something has to be done for the third of the world’s population who are Christian and being persecuted.
He writes: “I have no doubt that you are sincere in your desire to advocate and fight for the rights of the one per cent of the population that are LGBTI – and please don’t misunderstand me.
“I too have written against the homophobia of Putin and the cruelty of the proposed Uganda ‘gay’ bill. I am not arguing that you should not seek to deal with these things. But there is also part of me that thinks that this is easy for you, it costs you virtually nothing. It’s cheap populism. But for the third of the world’s population who are Christian, you seem to have little time or money.”
Mr Robertson cited the beheading of 21 Christians in Libya last week as an example of the cruelties inflicted on Christians, but added that it was just the tip of the iceberg.
“We long for the day when some sane Western politician will have the guts and the gumption to stand up and say: ‘No, enough. We are not prepared to ditch the foundation and basis of our Western civilisation. And we are not prepared to fund, support and encourage those who kill in the name of their religion’.”
Last year more than 100,000 Christians were killed because of their faith.
Reverend calls for defence of persecuted Christians overseas
The Courier & Advertiser 23 Feb 2015
THE NEXT Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland has attacked politicians for having double standards over lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights and those of Christians.
The Rev David Robertson, right, who will take up the role in May, has written to all UK party leaders accusing them of having “little time or money” for persecuted Christians overseas. The minister spoke out after SNP and Labour leaders pledged an LGBTI worldwide envoy — but pointed out that it is thought LGBTI people make up just one per cent of the world’s population, while Christians account for around a third.
The Rev Robertson said last year more than 100,000 Christians were killed for their faith and followers of Christ face official discrimination in 139 countries — more than 75% of the world.
In a hard-hitting open letter to all of the UK’s political leaders, the Rev Robertson said: “You have recently promised to lend your full support to the idea that Britain would make LGBT rights a central plank of British foreign policy.
“I too have written against the homophobia of Putin and the cruelty of the proposed Uganda ‘gay’ bill. I am not arguing that you should not seek to deal with these things.
“But for the third of the world’s population who are Christian, you seem to have little time or money.
“When are you going to appoint your first Christian rights envoy? I’m sure you must be aware of some of what is going on.”
The Dundee minister suggested: “You could put pressure on ‘friendly’ nations who continue to discriminate against Christians, in the same way that you propose to put pressure on those who discriminate against homosexuals.”
The article on which this is based is here – https://theweeflea.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/letter-to-cameron-sturgeon-miliband-and-obama-where-is-your-envoy-for-christians/