Nothing could better illustrate the difference between American elections and those in Britain – specifically Scotland – than the plight of Kate Forbes, a candidate to lead the Scottish National Party. Ms Forbes encountered more than the usual challenges in seeking to become Scotland’s First Minister. She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland and shares with Catholics what were hitherto uncontroversial views about gay marriage, conversion therapy, abortion and gender self-identification. As this issue goes to press, it is not yet clear whether she will be successful; what is clear is that she has been subjected to astonishing vilification on account of her views. She has weathered online abuse and virtual ostracism from some political colleagues.
Once, Scotland was a byword for social conservatism and Calvinist religion. What is astonishing is the extent to which this outlook has been replaced by an equally inflexible and far more authoritarian secularism, which brooks no opposition. Ms Forbes is only 32, but she has shown considerable courage in expressing her convictions while making clear that she respects the law and does not seek to offend individuals.
Compare and contrast with the United States where, as we report in this issue, religion is a lively factor in the fight for the Republican presidential nomination between Ron DeSantis (who, though undeclared, is behaving like a candidate) and Donald Trump. Mr DeSantis has made a merit of his Catholicism – memorably proposing that on the Eighth Day, God had, in fact, declared he needed a fighter, with Mr DeSantis being that man. The point is that in the US it is a real asset to be a person of faith and candidates compete to be seen as such. In a country where state and Church are separated, the Church gets a kinder hearing than in Britain.
As for Kate Forbes, we applaud her integrity and forthrightness. Her bruising treatment is a telling reminder of the extent to which Christians in public life in Britain must be prepared to weather abuse for the expression of views which, until a few years ago, would have been shared by most people. It is refreshing to find someone as young as she prepared to assert her beliefs and those of her fellow Christians. The Catholic Herald is happy to salute this admirable Wee Free.
