The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland meeting in May 2009 will hear an appeal against the decision of the Presbytery of Aberdeen to induct into a charge a minister who has openly declared himself to be living in a homosexual relationship. If the Assembly votes to support the Presbytery of Aberdeen it will publicly acknowledge this as being completely acceptable for a leader in the Church. This would mark an historic departure for the Church, away from its obsession with sexuality, giving a clear message that recognises the sanctity of sexual intimacy between consenting adults and allowing the Church to focus its energies on more pressing matters. Such a decision, if made by the General Assembly, would be immensely beneficial for the cause of Christianity in Scotland and help present Scotland as a progressive forward-thinking and inclusive Nation, rather than a backwater for fire and brimstone peddlars. A group calling itself the Fellowship of Confessing Churches seeks to influence the General Assembly via a bogus petition clearly aimed at catching the attention of right-wing extremists across the globe, who use the world-wide web to peddle their half-baked and sometimes dangerous views. The vast majority of people in Scotland, Christian and otherwise, take the rights of gay and lesbian people for granted and have no desire to return to the middle ages. By signing this petition, you are urging the General Assembly not to allow itself to be swayed by a vociferous minority. We urgently alert all commissioners to the 2009 General Assembly to the extreme gravity of the situation. We urge the Assembly to support the position of those who stood to defend the Christian message of love and tolerance in Aberdeen Presbytery, and ensure that right-wing extremists from around the globe are not allowed to influence the Church of Scotland. We stand thus to publicly affirm our love, honour and deep respect for all our brothers and sisters. We further wish to affirm our continuing solidarity in fellowship with churches worldwide and with people in general, who hold and maintain truth, reason and love.

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