The new moderator of the Free Church of Scotland has denied he is homophobic on a leading gay website.
In what is understood to be a first, the Rev David Robertson has penned an opinion piece for KaleidoScot.com, which describes itself as Scotland’s digital home for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTI) community.
Rev Davidson, director of the Solas Centre for Public Christianity in Dundee, said the Bible teaches that marriage is a “lifelong commitment between one man and one woman, for the purpose of mutual companionship, the good of society and the procreation and upbringing of children.
“I object to being called homophobic just because I continue to hold to that view,” he said.
Rev Robertson said “homophobia is wrong and abhorrent” and stressed he was the first Scottish church leader to publicly condemn Vladimir Putin’s treatment of gays in Russia.
“I have always welcomed homosexual people into my church on the same basis I welcome heterosexual people,” he said
“I believe that all of us, without exception (including myself) are broken, bruised and sinful people who need the new life and forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ.
“I offer that freely to all – without discrimination, prejudice or prejudgement.”
His opinion piece did not meet favour on the website.
One person commented: “No-one really thinks this man’s opinion is of any consequence – oh wait – except other bigots.”
Another said: “People are people and should be equal under the eyes of the law, no matter their sexual orientation or whether they please the ideals of any backward religious cult.”