The member of the Scottish Parliament behind abortion buffer zones has conceded that there are circumstances wherein praying in a single’s home could constitute a breach of the law, despite previously rubbishing such claims by US Vice-President JD Vance as “misinformation”.
Abortion buffer zones prohibit causing distress to anyone attempting to access abortion facilities, trying to forestall them from doing so, and even influencing their decision to accomplish that.
Vance recently claimed that folks living throughout the zones had received letters from the federal government warning them that personal prayer in their very own homes could constitute a breach of the law.
One of the letters sent to residents stated, “In general, the offences apply in public places throughout the Safe Access Zones. However, activities in a non-public place (akin to a house) … may very well be an offence in the event that they might be seen or heard throughout the Zone and are done intentionally or recklessly”.
Gillian Mackay, the MSP behind the bill, continued to disclaim Vance’s claims. However when pressed, conceded that somebody praying by a window in their very own home could fall foul of the law depending “on who’s passing the window”.
Lois McLatchie Miller, Scottish spokesperson for Christian organisation ADF International, expressed her deep concerns with the buffer zones law.
“Clearly, the ‘buffer zones’ law is fundamentally flawed with regards to undermining basic freedoms of speech, thought, and religion. We all stand firmly against harassment, which has been illegal for a few years – however the law goes much too far in stopping people from praying, or holding consensual conversations, in large public areas of Scotland,” she said.
“Gillian Mackay confirmed that ‘performative’ prayer may very well be against the law, ‘depending on who’s passing by the window’. The accusation of prayer being ‘performative’ fairly than real lies in the attention of the beholder. Who are the police to doubt the genuineness of any person’s faith, based on where they’re positioned, and the position of their hands?
“JD Vance was right to boost concerns – this law is an illiberal travesty.”
ADF also raised the case of a grandmother, Rose Doherty, who was arrested last week for holding a sign up a buffer zone.
Ms Doherty said of her arrest, “I held an indication that read ‘Coercion is against the law, here to speak, in the event you want’. Everyone has the correct to a consensual conversation. I simply made myself available for a chat, should anybody prefer to approach me and discuss any matter on their mind. I didn’t breach the buffer zone – I didn’t harass, intimidate, and even seek to influence anyone. I simply stood there, available to talk with love and compassion.”
