A poll published this past week shows remarkable support among the public for churches and religious groups wishing to conduct same-sex marriages.
According to the survey, published by the Daily Mail and conducted by polling organisation Progressive Scottish Opinion, 50 per cent of Scots support the move, with 36 per cent opposed.
The poll of 1,233 Scottish adults was conducted between 16 November and 18 November 2011.
The question asked was: “To what extent do you agree or disagree that gay couples should be allowed to marry in Scotland’s churches?”
In response, 19 per cent strongly agreed and 31 per cent agreed; 14 per cent neither agreed nor disagreed, 18 per cent disagreed, and 18 per cent strongly disagreed.
Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP, who has campaigned on the issue, commented: “Taken alongside the widespread support for equal access to civil marriage, this is an extraordinary result, and shows a strong groundswell of support for those churches who want to marry same-sex couples.”
He continued: “Increasingly, most Scots don’t regard same-sex couples as anything unusual: these couples are friends, family, colleagues and neighbours.
“On this issue the SNP have stood up to the vested minority interests and the remaining Dark Ages attitudes that have held Scotland back from reform on this issue. We will work with them, as will MSPs from other opposition parties, and I believe we will set an example that the rest of the UK will quickly follow,” he declared.