Political correctness is preventing Christians expressing themselves, according to Northern Ireland’s new 
Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Ivan Patterson.
And he added that society was prepared to tolerate any philosophy except one centred on Jesus. He cited the example of Christian GP Richard Scott, who has been accused of harassment after discussing his religious beliefs with a patient, according to a report in the Belfast Telegraph.
Dr Patterson (62), was installed as Moderator during the opening session of the Presbyterian General Assembly in Belfast.
“In our society Christians have had their wings clipped in our politically correct world. It would seem that any philosophy is tolerated except that centred on Jesus Christ,” he added.
The Moderator, who describes his ministry as “conservatively biblical with a strong evangelical outlook”, took over from Dr Norman Hamilton for the one-year term.
They stressed the need to build good relations in the Church and civic society and communicate the teaching of the Bible to an increasingly secular society.
The Kent doctor who cited by the new Moderator could lose his job. Dr Richard Scott, from Margate, is being investigated for discussing his faith with a patient at the Bethesda Medical Centre.
The case of Dr Scott made headlines last month when the General Medical Council claimed that by talking about Christianity he distressed one of his patients, and risked bringing the medical profession into disrepute. He is being represented by the Christian Legal Centre.
Dr Scott said: “I only discussed mutual faith after obtaining the patient’s permission. In our conversation, I said that personally, I had found having faith in Jesus helped me and could help the patient.
“At no time did the patient indicate that they were offended, or that they wanted to stop the discussion. If that had been the case, I would have immediately ended the conversation.”