There are only two days to go until the close of the Scottish Government’s consultation on how it intends to implement its plans to redefine marriage.

CARE for Scotland believes that what is being proposed will result in a restriction of civil liberties and an attack on freedom of speech and belief.

Don’t miss out on your right to make your views known!

Please act by 5pm on Wednesday 20th March.

There are a number of ways by which you can make a response:

1. Use CARE for Scotland’s comprehensive advice to personalise your response using the evidence and arguments we have provided. This will take the most time, but it is what we would prefer you to do.

2. Use CARE for Scotland’s short briefing to focus on four questions which deal with the implications there will be on civil liberties.

3. Go to the CARE for Scotland web site, complete the form and submit it directly to the Scottish Government. This is by far the quickest method.

If you need any additional help or advice, please feel free to contact the CARE for Scotland office on 0141 332 7212 / cfs@care.org.uk.

The BBC’s Newsnight Scotland programme is appealing for members of the public to join its audience for a debate on the place of religion in modern Scotland.

The programme will examine the religious, ethical and moral landscape of Scotland.

With the help of its audience and panel, it will ask whether religion is purely a private matter or should faith groups play an active part in shaping public policy?

The programme will be recorded on the evening of Monday 25th February in Glasgow. You need to apply by 1pm on Wednesday 20th February. Full details here.

CARE for Scotland would encourage you to consider being part of the audience.

If you are accepted as a member of the audience, perhaps you could kindly e-mail CARE for Scotland (cfs@care.org.uk) to let us know?

Keep up-to-date with Care not Killing

The Care Not Killing Alliance spearheads the UK campaign against the introduction of assisted suicide and euthanasia.

You can keep in touch with what’s happening with CNK in Scotland and beyond through the CNK Facebook page and Twitter account.

Why not sign up to both now?

Teenage Pregnancy in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament Health Committee is concerned, rightly, about the rates of teenage pregnancy in Scotland. As a result it has launched an enquiry to gather the views of Scottish people about the issue.

Anyone can respond to the enquiry – and most parents will almost certainly have views on the issue.

It would be especially appropriate for those working in education, social work or health to respond to the enquiry, based on their working experience.

This is a helpful opportunity for Christians with particular knowledge of this issue to present positive ideas which might lead to a change in public policy in this area.

You can find out about the enquiry here.

An article with helpful background information can be found here.

Closing date for responding to the enquiry is Thursday 7th February.

Another Consultation on Marriage!

The Scottish Government has just embarked on yet another consultation on marriage re-definition. This time it’s on how their plans to re-define marriage will actually be implemented. Some of their proposals could have severe implications for freedom of speech, not least for Christians.

We will be sending you advice soon on how you can represent your views on this consultation.

Please look out for a postal mailing from CARE for Scotland over the next few weeks on this vital issue.

Is your MSP in Favour of Assisted Suicide?

In anticipation of Margo MacDonald MSP launching another attempt early in 2013 to legalise assisted suicide,we need your help.

We need to know what are the views of all 129 MSPs on assisted suicide being legalised in Scotland. We still have some gaps in our knowledge of MSP’s views.

Will you please write to your MSPs (1 from your local constituency and 7 from the region in which you live) asking them how they might vote if Margo’s bill were to be presented to the Scottish Parliament?

Then forward their replies to CARE for Scotland at cfs@care.org.uk.

You can find out who are your 8 MSPs, and their contact details, by entering your post code in a page on the Scottish Parliament website.

Keep in Touch

There is a new, improved CARE for Scotland Facebook page.

Share your views and opinions with others by becoming a friend. Join the 230 people who have already signed up.

Only One Week Left…

…to let Rhoda Grant MSP know that you support her aim to reduce human trafficking and prostitution in Scotland.

CARE for Scotland is in full support of Rhoda Grant’s proposed bill in the Scottish Parliament which would reduce demand for prostitution by criminalising the purchase of sex.

We know that organisations which advocate prostitution are actively lobbying MSPs against Rhoda Grant’s proposals. Please ensure that Rhoda Grant gets the support she deserves by responding to her consultation, which closes next Friday, 14th December.

Full background and advice on how to respond are available in a CARE for Scotland briefing.

After you have read the briefing, we suggest you respond to the consultation through the Abolition Scotland web site.

Read more about trafficking and prostitution.

Is your MSP in Favour of Assisted Suicide?

In anticipation of Margo MacDonald MSP launching another attempt early in 2013 to legalise assisted suicide,we need your help.

We need to know what are the views of all 129 MSPs on assisted suicide being legalised in Scotland.

Will you please write to your MSPs (1 from your local constituency and 7 from the region in which you live) asking them how they might vote if Margo’s bill were to be presented to the Scottish Parliament?

Then forward their replies to CARE for Scotland at cfs@care.org.uk.

You can find out who are your 8 MSPs, and their contact details, by entering your post code in a page on the Scottish Parliament web site.

Join our Facebook Community

There is a new, improved CARE for Scotland Facebook page.

Share your views and opinions with others by becoming a friend. Join the 182 people who have already signed up as friends.

Reducing Demand for Prostitution

CARE for Scotland is in full support of Rhoda Grant MSP’s proposed bill in the Scottish Parliament which would reduce demand for prostitution by criminalising the purchase of sex.

Prostitution is often linked to the practice of trafficking women across international boundaries. In other countries where similar laws to restrict prostitution have been introduced the number of trafficked women has dropped substantially.

If you are concerned about trafficking and prostitution please consider responding to the consultation on Rhoda Grant’s bill, which runs until 14th December.

If you know of anyone – for example a social worker or policeman – who might have special knowledge of this issue, please forward this e-mail on to them.

Full background and advice are available in a CARE for Scotland briefing.

Read more about trafficking and prostitution.

Nefarious, Merchant of Souls

‘Nefarious, Merchant of Souls’ is a hard-hitting film documentary that exposes the disturbing trends in modern sex slavery and trafficking.

Viewings are currently being arranged around Scotland. Please consider whether you could arrange a viewing of Nefarious in your church or local area.

Find out if there is a screening of Nefarious near you by going to the Abolition Scotland web site.

Read the autumn 2012 edition of ‘Challenge’, the CARE for Scotland newsletter here.

Fascinating and Useful New Resources on Marriage:

• an inspiring sermon by Rev Andrew Randall, Larbert Old Church of Scotland
• a prophetic article about the consequences of re-defining marriage by Professor Julian Rivers, Bristol Law School
• a short, quirky but effective film from the Coalition for Marriage

Created by God… Treated like Slaves

Action of Churches Together in Scotland is running a training day for local church activists on the churches’ strategy against human trafficking.

Saturday, November 17, Edinburgh.

Please book now to be assured of a place.

Full information…

Meet the Scottish Cabinet!

You have the chance to meet First Minister Alex Salmond and his colleagues at two public meetings coming up soon.

The meetings are at Renfrew on Thursday 23rd August and in Orkney on Wednesday 29th August.

These will be ideal opportunities to ask questions about Government policy. In particular you may care to ask why the SNP Government is proceeding with the redefinition of marriage despite the fact their consultation showed the majority of respondents wanted to retain marriage as it is.

You need to pre-register to attend these meetings – click here to register online.

Please note that the closing date for registering for the Renfrew meeting is tomorrow, Friday 17th August.

If you need any more information, please contact the CARE for Scotland office – cfs@care.org.uk / 0141 332 7212.

Three important events in early September

False Intimacy is a day event for anyone in church life offering pastoral care – ministers, pastors, youth workers. The theme of the day is how to respond effectively to anyone who is struggling with internet pornography. Full information…

And if you ever doubted the impact that pornography has, see this article.

The First European Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide is being held in Edinburgh. This is a unique opportunity to hear from international experts on campaigning against assisted suicide and from medical specialists on end of life care. Full information…

Paul Russell is the Director of HOPE Australia. He has been involved in campaigning against euthanasia and assisted suicide since 1996.
We are delighted that we have been able to arrange for him to speak in Glasgow on the evening of Monday 10th September. As we in Scotland face the possibility of another attempt to legalise assisted suicide, we will be able to benefit from his experience. Full information…

There’s still hope for marriage!

Yesterday’s decision by the Scottish Government to press ahead with its plans to re-define marriage has been a great disappointment. The decision has been made despite that fact that the consultation responses clearly indicate that a majority of the Scottish people want to retain marriage as it is – a cherished social institution with clearly-defined public benefit. Instead, the Government’s proposals relegate the role of marriage to merely a private arrangement between two individuals.

In these circumstances one can understand the feelings of the writer of Psalm 74. His statement ‘A foolish nation has dishonoured your name’ (v18, NLV) is so meaningful on this day in Scotland. And yet despite his anger and frustration the psalmist is still able to admit that ‘You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth’ (v12, NLV). Please continue to pray for our nation and pray that our ‘king from ages past’ will be able through our prayers to bring salvation to Scotland.

It’s not the last word

However there is still a long way to go before the proposals might reach the statute book. There will be yet another consultation later this year on a draft bill – a further opportunity to underline the fact that the Scottish people are opposed to any re-definition of marriage.

For the Scottish Government the dilemma has been to make a decision on marriage re-definition which would not affect their support in the independence referendum. They are running a huge risk, as opinion polls commissioned by Scotland for Marriage suggest that five times as many people would be likely to vote against independence as would vote for it if marriage were to be re-defined by the SNP government.

Thank you!

CARE for Scotland is so grateful to all of our supporters who have actively participated in this campaign against marriage re-definition. If you distributed leaflets, responded to the consultation, wrote to your MSPs or attended meetings – thank you so much. Your support and encouragement are greatly valued.

If there is still to be hope for marriage in Scotland we will be asking you to be further involved – responding to the consultation on the bill, and continuing to write to and visit your MSPs. We’ll aim to provide you with all the information and resources you need to do this.

The campaign continues. And it continues not only to defend the value and uniqueness of marriage but also to protect teachers, parents, public employees, foster carers, and others who could be penalised for their beliefs about marriage.

DECISION ON REDEFINITION OF MARRIAGE IMMINENT

One last chance to make your views known

We believe that the Cabinet of the Scottish Government will make a decision at their meeting on 10th July about whether or not to proceed with marriage re-definition.

So, for the next 10 days we have a vital window of opportunity to send a blitz of e-mails to all Cabinet members.

If you live in a constituency of a Cabinet member (see picture right and list below) and have not yet contacted him or her about marriage re-definition, please send an e-mail now saying you believe that marriage should remain as a union of one man and one woman.

Aberdeenshire East  Alex Salmond
Argyll & Bute          Mike Russell
Airdrie & Shotts      Alex Neil
Edinburgh Eastern   Kenny McAskill
Glasgow Southside  Nicola Sturgeon
Linlithgow               Fiona Hyslop
Moray                    Richard Lochead
Perthshire North     John Swinney
Stirling                  Bruce Crawford

Click on a name to open up an e-mail to them.

Click here for some points you may like to include in your e-mail.

If you’re not sure whether you do live in one of these constituencies go to the Scottish Parliament web site and enter your post code.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS ON TO FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

Thank you for your cooperation.