Scotland's finance secretary admits to 'tiptoeing around' her Christian faith

 (Photo: Scottish Parliament)

Scottish finance secretary Kate Forbes has spoken of "tiptoeing around" around her Christian faith. 

Ms Forbes attends the Free Church of Scotland, which adheres to a biblical view of marriage. 

She told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast that her Christian faith was "essential" to her being, and that she felt called to love and serve Jesus.

She added, though, that MPs should be representative of their constituents, and she admitted to being "as guilty as anybody of tiptoeing around" her Christian beliefs.

Explaining why this was the case, she spoke of a "fear and a sense that the public will think we only speak for our own rather than speak for everybody".

"To be straight, I believe in the person of Jesus Christ," she said. 

"I believe that he died for me, he saved me and that my calling is to serve and to love him and to serve and love my neighbours with all my heart and soul and mind and strength.

"So that for me is essential to my being. Politics will pass - I am a person before I was a politician and that person will continue to believe that I am made in the image of God."

She went on to say that it was important to be open about her faith with constituents. 

"Some of them will agree with my politics, others will disagree. Some will agree with my faith, others will disagree," she said.

"I have a duty to represent them, but neither do I want to deceive my constituents and I think being straight with them about my faith, about who I am, about my background is really important."

News
Young struggle to understand 'problematic' Jesus
Young struggle to understand 'problematic' Jesus

God and Jesus can occasionally offend "woke" sensibilities.

New 'Islamophobia' definition rejected by representatives of all major faiths
New 'Islamophobia' definition rejected by representatives of all major faiths

Critics worry that even preaching the gospel to Muslims could become unlawful.

Darlington Nurses, Päivi Räsänen warn US about declining freedom in Britain and Europe
Darlington Nurses, Päivi Räsänen warn US about declining freedom in Britain and Europe

The Darlington Nurses may have won their fight, but Päivi Räsänen's ordeal is still ongoing.

Labour waters down controversial home education rules, but concerns remain
Labour waters down controversial home education rules, but concerns remain

Christian homeschooling families were concerned about the proposals.