Good on the Reverend David Young, meenister of this parish, for using his General Assembly speech to call out the apparent homophobia of the Scripture Union.

It seems the latter advised a would be group leader of their unsuitability on the grounds that they were in a same sex relationship.

This is the kind of discriminatory behaviour which gets religion a bad name and, not at all incidentally, helps empty the pews.

READ MORE: Christian charity 'blocking gay volunteers', Helensburgh minister tells General Assembly

Over recent years the Kirk, and its Church of England colleagues, have expended too many valuable hours in assemblies and synods examining their navels over assorted sexual concerns like the ordination of gay ministers and priests.

You might think this somewhat perverse in a world which is rushing to hell in an ever more speedy handcart.

On behalf of my gay and lesbian friends, might I suggest the Scripture Union checks out their leader’s strictures regarding loving thy neighbour.

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