Editing Church of Scotland (section)

== Social and political issues==
[[File:Old logo of the CoS.png|thumb|right|upright|Older rectangular logo of the Church of Scotland]]
The national church has never shied from involvement in [[Scottish politics]]. In 1919, the General Assembly created a Church and Nation Committee, which in 2005 became the [[Church and Society Council]], and in 2019 merged with the World Mission Council to create the Faith Impact Forum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scotland |first=The Church of |date=2020-09-28 |title=Faith Impact Forum |url=https://churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/councils-committees-and-departments/forums/faith-impact-forum |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=The Church of Scotland |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630172142/https://churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/councils-committees-and-departments/forums/faith-impact-forum |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Church of Scotland is a firm opponent of [[nuclear weapon]]ry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scotland |first=The Church of |date=2022-06-22 |title=Kirk calls first nuclear weapons treaty meeting "a glimmer of light and hope" |url=https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/2022/articles/kirk-calls-first-nuclear-weapons-treaty-meeting-a-glimmer-of-light-and-hope |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=The Church of Scotland |language=en}}</ref> Supporting [[devolution]], it was one of the parties involved in the [[Scottish Constitutional Convention]], which resulted in the setting up of the [[Scottish Parliament]] in 1997. Indeed, from 1999 to 2004 the Parliament met in the church's [[General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland|Assembly Hall]] in Edinburgh, while its own building was being constructed. The Church of Scotland supports the [[Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office]] in Edinburgh,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scotland |first=The Church of |date=2021-10-12 |title=Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office |url=https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/connect/scottish-churches-parliamentary-office |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=The Church of Scotland |language=en}}</ref> an ecumenical partnership which is staffed and resourced by the Church.

=== Women's ordination ===
{{Main|Ordination of women in the Church of Scotland}}
Since 1968, all ministries and offices in the church have been open to women and men on an equal basis. In 2004, [[Alison Elliot]] was chosen to be Moderator of the General Assembly, the first woman in the post and the first non-minister to be chosen since [[George Buchanan (humanist)|George Buchanan]], four centuries before. In May 2007 [[Sheilagh M. Kesting]] became the first female minister to be Moderator. There are currently 218 serving female ministers, with 677 male ministers.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

=== Homosexuality ===
The Church of Scotland allows its clergy to enter into same-sex marriages and civil partnerships.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scotland |first=The Church of |date=24 April 2017 |title=General Assembly allows ministers and deacons in same-sex marriages |url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/recent/general_assembly_allows_ministers_and_deacons_in_same-sex_marriages |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502090830/http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/recent/general_assembly_allows_ministers_and_deacons_in_same-sex_marriages |archive-date=2 May 2017 |access-date=24 April 2017 |website=www.churchofscotland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> In May 2022, the General Assembly voted in favour of permitting the church's clergy to conduct same-sex marriages.<ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news |date=2022-05-23 |title=Church of Scotland to allow same-sex marriages |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-61547729 |access-date=2022-05-23}}</ref>

In May 2009, there was opposition to an attempt to install as minister an openly homosexual man who intended to live with his partner once appointed to his post.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Will & Testament: Presbyterians prepare for a theological battle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ni/2009/05/presbyterians_prepare_for_a_th.html |website=BBC|author-first1=William|author-last1=Crawley|date=15 May 2009}}</ref> In a landmark decision on 23 May 2009 the General Assembly (GA) ratified by 326 to 267 the appointment of [[Scott Rennie]], the church's first out, non-celibate gay minister. Rennie had won the overwhelming support of his prospective church members at Queen's Cross, Aberdeen, but his appointment was in some doubt until extensive debate and this vote by the commissioners to the assembly. The GA later agreed upon a moratorium on the appointment of further non-celibate gay people until after a special commission has reported on the matter.<ref>[https://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2510044.0.0.php Church backs first openly gay minister – Herald Scotland<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527082737/http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2510044.0.0.php |date=27 May 2009 }}</ref> (See: [[LGBT clergy in Christianity]].)

As a result of these developments, a new grouping of congregations within the church was begun "to declare their clear commitment to historic Christian orthodoxy", known as the [[Fellowship of Confessing Churches]].<ref>[http://www.confessingchurch.org.uk/membership/member-churches/ Member Churches] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007235633/http://www.confessingchurch.org.uk/membership/member-churches/ |date=7 October 2011 }} confessingchurch.org.uk, accessed 7 July 2009</ref> In May 2011, the GA of the Church of Scotland voted to appoint a theological commission with a view to fully investigating the matter, reporting to the General Assembly of 2013. Meanwhile, openly homosexual ministers ordained before 2009 would be allowed to keep their posts without fear of sanction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Severin Carrell |title=Church of Scotland votes to allow gay and lesbian ministers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/23/church-of-scotland-gay-lesbian-ministers |website=The Guardian|date=23 May 2011 }}</ref> On 20 May 2013, the GA voted in favour of a proposal that allowed liberal parishes to opt out of the church's policy on homosexuality.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Church of Scotland General Assembly votes to allow gay ministers |work=BBC News |date=20 May 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22580322 }}</ref> Since 2008, 25 out of 808 (3%) ministers had left over the issue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gledhill |first=Ruth |date=21 May 2016 |title=Church of Scotland votes in favour of ministers in gay marriages |work=Christian Today |url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.of.scotland.votes.in.favour.of.ministers.in.gay.marriages/86553.htm |access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref> It was reported that seceding congregations had a combined annual income of £1 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirk could lose £1m a year over gay ordination |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/kirk-could-lose-1m-a-year-over-gay-ordination.21351948 |website=Herald Scotland|date=16 June 2013 }}</ref>

In 2015, the Church of Scotland's GA voted in favour of recommending that gay ministers be able to enter into same-sex marriages.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=21 May 2015 |title=Church of Scotland opens door for appointment of married gay ministers |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/21/church-of-scotland-married-gay-ministers |access-date=12 April 2016 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Church of Scotland decision on married gay clergy delayed |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/church-scotland-decision-married-gay-clergy-delayed-194152527.html?ref=gs |access-date=21 May 2016 |website=www.yahoo.com |archive-date=10 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610223411/https://www.yahoo.com/news/church-scotland-decision-married-gay-clergy-delayed-194152527.html?ref=gs |url-status=dead }}</ref> and allowing pastors to enter in same-sex civil partnerships.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 May 2015 |title=Church of Scotland votes to allow gay ministers in civil partnerships |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-32760416 |access-date=26 May 2017}}</ref> On 21 May 2016, the GA voted in favour of the approval for gay and lesbian ministers to enter into same-sex marriages.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=Press Association |date=21 May 2016 |title=Church of Scotland votes to allow ministers to be in same-sex marriages |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/21/church-of-scotland-ministers-same-sex-marriages |access-date=21 May 2016 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> In 2017, there was a report to be debated at the church's General Assembly in May that proposed "having a church committee research allowing nominated ministers and deacons to carry out the ceremonies, but...to retain the ability for 'contentious refusal' from those opposed to same-sex marriage."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Church of Scotland to debate allowing same-sex marriages - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/church-of-scotland-to-debate-allowing-samesex-marriages-35633363.html |access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref>

A Theological Forum report calling for the approval of same-sex marriage, and an apology to homosexuals for past mistreatment was approved by the General Assembly on 25 May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2017 |title=Kirk moves towards allowing gay marriage |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40036225 }}</ref> In 2018, the church's assembly voted in favour of drafting a new church law to allow same-sex marriages<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 May 2018 |title=Kirk moves closer to gay marriage services |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-44180103 |access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> and to give ministers the option of performing same-sex marriages. The church was expected to vote on a final poll in 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 May 2018 |title=Church of Scotland to draft new same-sex marriage laws |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/19/church-of-scotland-same-sex-marriage-draft-laws |access-date=21 May 2018 |website=The Guardian |language=en |agency=Press Association}}</ref> but, after being considered at a GA in May 2021, a draft plan might still be being considered by commissioners prior to being shared with all presbyteries for their consideration under the Church of Scotland's Barrier Act 1697 and being brought back to a future General Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19321692.church-consider-same-sex-marriage/|title = Church of Scotland to consider allowing same-sex marriage ceremonies| date=22 May 2021 }}</ref> On 23 May 2022 the GA voted in favour of same-sex marriage with 274 for and 136 against. Clergy will be allowed to conduct the marriages but will not be forced to.<ref name="BBC News"/>

Many church congregations and clergy affirm the full inclusion of transgender and other LGBTI people within the church through [[Affirmation Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Affirmation Scotland – seeking to create a more inclusive church |url=http://www.kaleidoscot.com/affirmation-scotland-810 |access-date=18 May 2016 |website=KaleidoScot}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Church |first=Queen's Cross |title=Affirmation! Scotland · Our Partners · Queen's Cross Church |url=http://www.queenscrosschurch.org.uk/get-involved/our-partners/detail/affirmation-scotland/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609230037/http://www.queenscrosschurch.org.uk/get-involved/our-partners/detail/affirmation-scotland/ |archive-date=9 June 2016 |access-date=18 May 2016 |website=www.queenscrosschurch.org.uk}}</ref>

=== Israeli–Palestinian conflict ===
In April 2013, the church published a report entitled "The Inheritance of Abraham: A Report on the 'Promised' Land" which included a discussion of Israeli and Jewish claims to the [[Land of Israel]]. The report said "there has been a widespread assumption by many Christians as well as many Jewish people that the Bible supports an essentially Jewish state of Israel. This raises an increasing number of difficulties and current Israeli policies regarding the Palestinians have sharpened this questioning", and that "promises about the Land of Israel were never intended to be taken literally". The church responded to criticism by saying that "The Church has never and is not now denying Israel's right to exist; on the contrary, it is questioning the policies that continue to keep peace a dream in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This report is against the injustices levelled against the Palestinian people and how land is shared. It is also a reflection of the use or misuse of scripture to claim divine right to land by any group" and says it must "refute claims that scripture offers any peoples a privileged claim for possession of a particular territory".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Israel condemns contentious Church of Scotland report |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4378549,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews|date=10 May 2013 }}</ref>

The [[Scottish Council of Jewish Communities]] sharply criticised the report,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Church of Scotland Rebuked |url=http://www.scojec.org/news/2013/13v_cos/cos.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215052327/http://www.scojec.org/news/2013/13v_cos/cos.html |archive-date=15 December 2013 |access-date=5 July 2014}} SCoJeC Rebukes Church of Scotland over General Assembly Report</ref> describing it as follows: "It reads like an Inquisition-era polemic against Jews and Judaism. It is biased, weak on sources, and contradictory. The picture it paints of both Judaism and Israel is barely even a caricature. The arrogance of telling the Jewish people how to interpret Jewish texts and Jewish theology is breathtaking."<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/Scottish-church-Jews-not-entitled-to-Holy-Land-312088 Scottish Church denial of Jewish land rights stirs ire] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052912/http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/Scottish-church-Jews-not-entitled-to-Holy-Land-312088 |date=4 March 2016 }} by ''[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]'', (reprinted in ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]''), 5 May 2013.</ref> The report was also criticised by the [[Anti-Defamation League]] and the Israeli envoy to the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 May 2013 |title=Church of Scotland to alter report denying Jews' claims to Israel |work=[[Haaretz]] |agency=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |url=http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/church-of-scotland-to-alter-report-denying-jews-claims-to-israel-1.523561 |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/106939/scottish-church-debate-jewish-right-land-israel Scottish Church to debate Jewish right to land of Israel] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050202/http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/106939/scottish-church-debate-jewish-right-land-israel |date=4 March 2016 }} by Marcus Dysch, ''[[The Jewish Chronicle]]'', 2 May 2013.</ref><ref>[http://forward.com/articles/176363/church-of-scotland-insults-jews-with-denial-of-cla/?p=all Church of Scotland Insults Jews With Denial of Claim to Israel] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620235016/http://forward.com/articles/176363/church-of-scotland-insults-jews-with-denial-of-cla/?p=all |date=20 June 2013 }} by Liam Hoare, ''[[The Jewish Daily Forward]]'', 10 May 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/church-of-scotland-jews-do-not-have-a-right-to-the-land-of-israel.premium-1.518932 Church of Scotland: Jews do not have a right to the land of Israel] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915041844/http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/church-of-scotland-jews-do-not-have-a-right-to-the-land-of-israel.premium-1.518932 |date=15 September 2015 }} by Anshel Pfeffer, ''[[Haaretz]]'', 3 May 2013.</ref>

In response to criticism, the church quickly replaced the original version with a modified one, stating that criticism of Israel's policies toward the Palestinians "should not be misunderstood as questioning the right of the State of Israel to exist".<ref>"[http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/church-of-scotland-thinks-twice-grants-israel-the-right-to-exist/2013/05/12/ Church of Scotland Thinks Twice, Grants Israel the Right to Exist]" {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128122301/http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/church-of-scotland-thinks-twice-grants-israel-the-right-to-exist/2013/05/12/ |date=28 November 2014 }}, ''[[The Jewish Press]]'', 12 May 2013.</ref>

=== Abortion ===
The Church of Scotland is [[anti-abortion]], stating that it should be allowed "only on grounds that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve serious risk to the life or grave injury to the health, whether physical or mental, of the pregnant woman."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apologetics - Sanctity of Life - Abortion |url=http://www.christian.org.uk/briefingpapers/abortion.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928105058/http://www.christian.org.uk/briefingpapers/abortion.htm |archive-date=28 September 2011 |website=christian.org.uk}}</ref>

=== Euthanasia ===
The Church of Scotland also opposes [[euthanasia]]: "The General Assembly has consistently stated that: 'the Christian recognises no right to dispose of his own life even although he may regard those who commit or may attempt to commit suicide with compassion and understanding rather than condemnation'. The church has frequently stressed its opposition to various attempts to introduce legislation to permit euthanasia, even under strictly controlled circumstances as incompatible with Christianity." The church is associated with the [[Care Not Killing]] organisation in "Promoting more and better palliative care./ Ensuring that existing laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide are not weakened or repealed during the lifetime of the current Parliament./ Influencing the balance of public opinion further against any weakening of the law."<ref>{{Cite web |title=End of life issues |url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/speak_out/social_issues/end_of_life |website=churchofscotland.org.uk}}</ref>

=== Capital punishment ===
Historically, the Church of Scotland supported the death penalty; the General Assembly once called for the "vigorous execution" of [[Thomas Aikenhead]], who was found guilty of [[blasphemy]] in 1696.<ref name="Hill">Andrew Hill [http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/thomasaikenhead.html Thomas Aikenhead] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001011446/http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/thomasaikenhead.html |date=1 October 2011 }} Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography monograph at website of Unitarian Universalist Association, c.1999</ref> Nowadays, the church strongly disapproves of the death penalty: "The Church of Scotland affirms that capital punishment is always and wholly unacceptable and does not provide an answer even to the most heinous of crimes. It commits itself to working with other churches and agencies to advance this understanding, oppose death sentences and executions and promote the cause of abolition of the death penalty worldwide."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Criminal justice |url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/speak_out/social_issues/criminal_justice |website=churchofscotland.org.uk}}</ref>

=== Divorce ===
The Church of Scotland does not consider marriage to be a sacrament, and thus not binding forever, and has no moral objection to the remarriage of divorced persons. The minister who is asked to perform a ceremony for someone who has a prior spouse living may inquire for the purpose of ensuring that the problems which led to the divorce do not recur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions (marriage) |url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/2449/guide_marriage.pdf |publisher=Church of Scotland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404195306/http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/2449/guide_marriage.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2016 |access-date=1 April 2013}}</ref>