1. What role do you want your government/parliament to fulfil? Do they do it at the moment? Do they spend too much time on non-essential issues?
2. Do legislators in your country ever pass 'posthumous' legislation which aims to right 'wrongs' from the past? Should they? Can you think of any examples?
3. In terms of historical wrongs, do you know of any that were committed by the British during the time of the British Empire?
4. Should there be a cut-off date, a point at which no further legal claims can be made when dealing with events from the past?
5. When you think of Scotland, what comes to mind? What about its government?
6. What attitude do some Scots have towards the English, do you imagine?
Read article here: Scottish Witchcraft Reading
7. What is your reaction? What does the photo above the article suggest?
8. How is witchcraft perceived these days? What is the general public's attitude towards it? Are there any ancient beliefs that have a foothold in your country?
9. How might today's attitudes affect our response to the proposed legislation? If this legislation had been proposed in the late 18th century, would people's attitudes have been different?
10. 'You can tell what sort of government you have by the laws it passes'. What political tendencies do you think the Scottish government has?
11. What is your attitude to politicians offering pardons? Do you know of any worthy/unworthy cases?
12. Are there any other areas where applying today's values to the past could create controversy?
13. 'History is a book that is never finished - it will need rewriting from time to time'. Do you agree?
14. Have there ever been any other generations who have sought to revise the past?
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Situation
You are Scottish parliament member Natalie Don (sponsor of the bill). You've agreed to an interview with a local journalist (your teacher). Put forward the merits of your proposed legislation.
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Discuss quotes
"The past is a stepping stone, not a millstone."
--- Robert Plant
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
― Søren Kierkegaard
“The past is never where you think you left it.”
― Katherine Anne Porter
“The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
― William Faulkner
“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”
― L.P. Hartley
"A week is a long time in politics."
--- Harold Wilson, UK prime minister
Student Handout PDF: Scottish Witchcraft