Supporters of same-sex marriage have been described as a ”danger” to society at a highly-charged SNP conference fringe meeting in Perth.
Former SNP leader Gordon Wilson warned Scotland risks ”lurching down the road to fascism” if the law is changed to allow gay couples to marry.
Mr Wilson blasted controversial Scottish Government plans to allow same-sex couples to wed, arguing this would take away the freedom of speech of those opposed to legislation.
Hosted by Scotland for Marriage, the event at the Salutation Hotel in Perth focused on the view that same-sex marriage was a challenge to civil liberties.
Parliamentary Officer for the Catholic Bishops Conference of Scotland John Deighan described proposals by the SNP to legalise gay marriage as ”dangerous”.
”We need to protect the basic human rights of society they are under threat,” he said.
”Surely we must be able to uphold the institution we know benefits every child and that has been what’s under attack for so long.
”Our message to the Scottish Government and to politicians is that you need to think again on this issue.”
These views were echoed by Mr Wilson. He told the audience and was met with applause and cheers that equality laws were being used to ”steamroll” others into accepting same-sex marriage.
Mr Wilson made a final appeal, saying: ”My appeal to those who are gay is to think of other people and whether this is the sort of society you want.”