Alex Salmond Slammed for Preferring People of Faith

A statement made by Alex Salmond in a Church of Scotland video has been condemned by Humanist Society Scotland. 

The former First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, said that he prefers "people of faith to people of no faith or people who have lost their faith".

In the video, Mr Salmond said: "I am biased of course because I am a Church of Scotland adherent and I prefer people of faith to people of no faith or people who have lost their faith.

"All denominations have a key role to play in society and we are very fortunate in Scotland because we have a tremendous ability, among religions and denominations, to come together and support good causes."

Gordon MacRae, Chief Executive of Humanist Society Scotland said: "These comments, coming as they do from a former Scottish First Minister and senior UK politician, are deeply inappropriate.

"We seek to promote the rights of non-religious people. It's completely inappropriate for a person in Mr Salmond's position to seek to marginalise the place that humanists, atheists and agnostics play in society.

"Non-religious people in Scotland constitute a larger group than any single religious denomination, and non-religious humanist wedding ceremonies are now one of the most popular ways for couples in Scotland to celebrate their love.

"Our members are involved in local community activism, international development and a whole host of other voluntary activities, to suggest that 'supporting good causes' is something particular to the religious is absurd."