Catholic Church: Scotland gay marriage bullies children as Nazis | Gay Star News
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Catholic Church: Scotland gay marriage bullies children as Nazis
The Catholic Church has alleged that children are bullied and branded as Nazis if they oppose marriage equality in Scotland
10 October 2012 | By Dan Littauer
John Deighan, spokesperson for the Catholic Church in Scotland said children are bullied and manipulated by the “equality lobby” over same-sex marriage
The Catholic Church has claimed that school children as young as 12 who disagree with marriage equality in Scotland have been branded as ‘Nazis’ and ‘bigots’.
John Deighan, the Roman Catholic Church’s parliamentary officer in Scotland, claimed that the Catholic Church and children are being victimized because of the planned Scottish marriage equality bill which is due to be put to the vote early next year.
He stated: ‘I know, for example, of children in Scotland, including my own 12-year-old child, who have been branded as “Nazis” and “bigots” because they have dared to disagree with the idea of same-sex marriage.’
Deighan made these comments in the European parliament in Brussels during a recent meeting of the EU’s most right wing parties, the group of European conservatives and reformists and the group of the European People’s Party.
Deighan warned the meeting that LGBT campaign groups, such as the Equality Network and Stonewall subject anyone who opposes their views to ‘intense levels of hostility.
‘People are increasingly being subjected to manipulation by what I would call the equality lobby.
‘This is a blatant attempt to manipulate the ideas and views of people, including school children, so that they become more intolerant of the Catholic message.’
Deighan also alleged that it is ‘very difficult’ to persuade politicians in Scotland to speak out marriage equality because ‘they are afraid that in doing so they will jeopardise their careers’.
A 2011 survey by the Scottish Youth Parliament showed 74% of young people actually support marriage equality.
While Stonewall Scotland poll conducted by YouGov poll published in late June this year showed two-thirds (65%) of the general public in Scotland support for marriage equality.
The Scottish government has consistently stated that the proposed marriage equality law will ensure churches, and individuals within them, do not have to conduct same-sex marriages if they do not agree with them.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman previously stated: ‘The Scottish Government is committed to a Scotland that is fair and equal and that is why we intend to proceed with plans to allow same-sex marriage and religious ceremonies for civil partnerships. All views have been taken into account in coming to this decision.
‘Our next consultation, due later this year, will seek views on protections in areas such as religious freedom, education and freedom of speech.’