Group pushes mandatory LGBT education in public schools in Scotland; proposal seen as 'Trojan horse' to indoctrinate pupils
A religious organisation has criticised a proposal to include LGBT curriculum in public schools in Scotland.
Rev. David Robertson, moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, called it a "Trojan horse to impose an ideological perspective on all pupils," according to WND.
An LGBT group called Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) is campaigning for public school children to "learn about homosexual, bisexual and transgender issues."
TIE addressed the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee to explain its proposal.
Robertson said an LGBT education would violate the human rights of Christian parents.
He said "no pupils should be bullied in school for their beliefs and for the pursuit of a particular lifestyle and morality."
"Human rights legislation says that 'the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions. The petitioner's demand for statutory teaching of such topics without provision for parents and pupils who disagree is in direct conflict with this legislation," he said.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has backed the promotion of LGBT History Month last April.
"This includes making it compulsory for all schools' sex education policies to include a positive portrayal of same-sex relationships, promoting LGBT History Month in all schools, and encouraging schools to develop a curriculum that is inclusive of LGBT issues," said Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT.
The Christian Institute said the proposal would force Christian teachers "to have to choose between their faith and their job."
"This motion is itself an act of intolerance towards mainstream Christians and their beliefs. I wonder whether Christian members of the NUT who have paid their dues can expect any help from the NUT when their jobs are on the line," said Simon Calvert, the institute's deputy director for public affairs.
Robertson warned that the aim of the proposal is indoctrination.
"We believe that the real object of the petition is to indoctrinate school pupils with one particular perspective on moral and sexual ethics and one which is contrary to mainstream Christianity. We believe this is a Trojan horse to impose an ideological perspective on all pupils, whether they want it or not," he said.