The Free Church of Scotland has been given assurances that religion will be recognised in a independent state’s written constitution.
Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Roseanna Cunningham give the assurances during an address to its General Assembly in Edinburgh yesterday.
She told delegates SNP ministers appreciated the contribution that faith and belief communities make to “enrich” the country.
Ms Cunningham said churches would continue to play a “significant and vital” role in a post-referendum Scotland.
“The white paper on independence proposes no change to the legal status of any religion or of Scotland’s churches,” she added.
“Equality and human rights will be at the heart of an independent Scotland and will be enshrined in a written constitution.
“It will enshrine the fundamental rights and the values we hold, including existing strong commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights which covers rights like liberty, the right to a fair trial and freedom of speech, association, conscience and religion.”
Ms Cunningham said all existing rights and protections would remain in force after independence and could potentially be strengthened.
Her remarks were welcomed by Free Church moderator the Rev David Miller.
“We will continue to engage positively with politicians of all stripes on this important issue, because we want to see a nation underpinned by Christian values,” he said.
A spokesman for the Church of Scotland said it broadly welcomed the minister’s remarks.
“The white paper proposes no change to the legal status of any religion but does not go into detail on the future relationship between faith groups and the state.,” he added.