Wednesday 21st May
The Counting House, 34 West Nicolson St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9DD.
Panel debate 7.15pm – 9pm, (doors open 6.30pm), bar open until 10.30pm.
In the second of a Spring series of public debates about free speech in Scotland, the FSU returns to The Counting House, 38 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, for a panel discussion, Q and A and social.
In 2021, Scotland finally abolished its blasphemy law—over 300 years after the execution of Thomas Aikenhead, the Edinburgh student who became the last person in the British Isles to be hanged for blasphemy. Aikenhead’s sacriligious comments were reported to church authorities by fellow students, five of whom testified against him. In his last moments he wrote:
“It is a principle innate and co-natural to every man to have an insatiable inclination to the truth, and to seek for it as for hid treasure.”
Thankfully, speaking against religious doctrine no longer carries the death penalty in Edinburgh, however, Scotland’s blasphemy laws were replaced by the highly-concerning Hate Crime Act which threatens arrest, fines and imprisonment of those who transgress against more contemporary beliefs.
This legislation, which provoked disbelief around the world and embarrassed freedom-loving Scots, was opposed by many of the more traditionally religious groups in Scotland, many of whom feared that their beliefs risked being criminalised.
Religious campaigners have been highly effective at shaping the public conversation about free speech issues in Scotland, whether fighting for the rights of street preachers, advocating for pro-life voices or raising concerns over the free speech impacts of proposed “conversion therapy” laws.
The Scottish debate over abortion clinic buffer zones recently went global when US Vice President J.D. Vance claimed that private prayer inside houses near clinics had been criminalized. While the Scottish government disputed Vance’s claim, his remarks resonated with widespread concerns about the state of free speech in Scotland and in the UK as a whole.
Are broader principles of tolerance and freedom compatible with a conservative religious worldview? Should atheists today look to Christians to hone their arguments about tolerance, freedom of conscience and freedom of expression?
Whether you’re a student, a member of a faith community, or simply passionate about human rights, come along to explore these questions and many others concerning the evolving landscape of free speech and religious freedom in modern Scotland.
There will, of course, be plenty of time for discussion, as well as socialising with fellow free speech supporters.
SPEAKERS
Stephen Allison is the minister of Kiltarlity Free Church and the Public Engagement Coordinator for the Free Church of Scotland. Prior to entering ministry, he was a practicing solicitor.
Simon Calvert has been with The Christian Institute since qualifying as a solicitor in 1996. He is a campaigner, media spokesperson and Parliamentary liaison.
Peter Kearney is a freelance Media Consultant and former Director of Communications for the Catholic Church in Scotland.
In the Chair will be Shereen Benjamin, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at the University of Edinburgh. She was a founder member of Edinburgh Academics for Academic Freedom.
Tickets are £5 for FSU members, £10 for non-members.
JOIN the FSU to get discounts at all events.
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