Marjory MacLean

Like Jesus Christ, Christians may sometimes have to be willing to suffer and even die in defence of their Christian beliefs and values, knowing that if they do so, they are securing the very foundation of human society. Forgiveness and reconciliation between different groups of people can only occur on the basis of justice and truth. Compassion runs like a golden thread throughout Christianity.

Personally, I purchased this book solely to read the content regarding the Church of Scotland "legal" Systems, having been acquainted with it a few years ago. An experience which, I have to be honest, has left a very nasty taste in my mouth due to the illogical rules of one law for them and another law for the bums on the pew! Don't do as we do, do as we tell you!

Whilst in places the book made very good reading, in others it let itself down rather badly as it is difficult for the lay person to understand a legal system which has so many weird quirks and discriminations. In some cases, line diagrams would have helped explain the due process as would a Glossary.

Some of the procedures and positions are well explained, but others are left a complete mystery as there are no explanations, nor are there any details as to who the authors are, what their purpose in life is, who elected/elects them and for what duration.

The Section, 2:2:2 Process (of Commissions and Judicial Bodies) neatly describes the machinations of a self serving quartet of a ruling clique within the Kirk. This process massively questions the definition of "judicial fairness" and "scrupulous even-handedness". Clearly the Kirks sense of justice is not that of the common man and the fact that under this system, "There is no provision for the calling of witnesses", merely proves the point. Determination of fact is decided in different ways, according to the particular type of case being heard. But as well as no witnesses being provided for, cases have included ones where no competent evidence was produced, no corroboration of the gossip which the kirk passed of as evidence and no independent voice was permitted. Why, in this case, the accused person wasn't even advised of any accusations, let alone invited to attend the "court" hearing of accusations laid against him, and the Kirk acted as judge, jury and executioner, without so much as a by your leave.

Another weird Church law states that whilst "communications" between husband and wife are priveleged, that between doctor and patient are not.

Consequently, I question the Kirks claim to offer the same rights as those offered under Article 6 on the European Convention on Human Rights. If the only ones with an understanding of the Law, are the small cabal who appear to be running "society," how does "society" reach any consensus on Laws of which the people have little if any knowledge, let alone any understanding of said Laws? Then surely "society" is a dictatorship and corruption, historically, isn't far behind. Such is the basic bond of trust within society that we trust our laws and lawmakers. However, we are personally accountable to God for how we act, not to some quasi judicial excuse for a legal system, which is run by a handful of placemen. In any human society there must be consensus and discipline based upon law which has a moral basis - otherwise anarchy and corruption set in and society cannot function effectively. This clearly isn't the case in the Kirk! In the Kirk courts, "truth" is whatever the Kirk says it is at that specific time.

Evidently, Church of Scotland Law ignores what Rev Jill Clancy of Tron St Mary's Glasgow wrote, "the freedom we have to worship in this society and how we really don't value it as we should".

The aspiration of the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev Wm C. Hewitt, "come to see our church as a home, a place of nurture and care, of faith and fellowship. We should think too about how our home looks from the outside to those whom we would offer the hand of fellowship........................... The vision of the Church of Scotland is to be a church which seeks to inspire the people of Scotland and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ, through enthusiastic worshipping, witnessing, nurturing and serving communities." Again, Kirk Law mocks and drives a horse and carriage through that little lot.

Lastly, it is clearly written by Church of Scotland people as who else would be so arrogant as to state, "in the case of the smaller denominations and other faiths in Britain, there is very little sense of a seperate spiritual jurisdiction, and the internal rules of the institution have little more status than the internal rules of any large association. The Church of Scotland has a unique relationship with civil law." From experience, the Kirk believes it is above all Laws, including its own.

Fortunately, "Set your mind on God's Kingdom and His justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well," (Matthew 6:33) is proof that justice will be handed out by God and that includes justice for the injustice of the legal systems on the kirk.

Would I buy the book again? In a word, "No"!… (meer)