Private prayers against abortion may fall under Scotland’s buffer zone law

Hands of a person praying. Photo: Getty Images

On March 10, 2025, a member of the Scottish Parliament advocating for the creation of abortion buffer zones acknowledged that there are circumstances under which prayer at home may constitute a violation of the law, reports Christian Post.

The new law has established abortion buffer zones, prohibiting any actions that may cause discomfort to a person seeking access to abortion facilities or attempting to influence their decision to undergo an abortion.

Recently, James David Vance pointed out that people living within these zones have received letters from the Scottish Government warning them that private prayer against abortion in their own homes could constitute a violation of the law.

One of the letters sent to residents stated: “In general, the offences apply in public places within the Safe Access Zones. However, activities in a private place (such as a house) … could be an offence if they can be seen or heard within the Zone and are done intentionally or recklessly.”

Gillian Mackay, the member of parliament behind the bill, denied Vance’s claims. However, she later admitted that someone praying at a window in their own home could indeed be breaking the law, depending on “who is passing by the window.”

Lois McLatchie Miller, the Scottish representative of the Christian organization ADF International, expressed deep concern about the buffer zone law.

“Clearly, the ‘buffer zones’ law is fundamentally flawed when it comes to undermining basic freedoms of speech, thought, and religion. We all stand firmly against harassment, which has been illegal for many years – but the law goes much too far in preventing people from praying, or holding consensual conversations, in large public areas of Scotland,” she said.

Earlier, it was reported that police in England had reprimanded an anti-abortion activist for praying outside a clinic.

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