Humanists have been condemned by the Free Church of Scotland for lobbying a head teacher in an attempt to ban Christian books from schools.

But the Humanist Society of Scotland (HSS) says while it supports the study of different religions in schools, young children should not be targeted with "evangelical" material.

Gary McLelland, HSS's Policy and Public Affairs Officer, said the society had written to the 417 pupil Robert Douglas Memorial School, a primary in Scone near Perth, regarding literature given out at an assembly class of P7 pupils in preparation for their move to high school.

A parent of a pupil at the school, who is a member of HSS, had raised concerns about a Scripture Union booklet which included advice about bullying.

The HSS had complained and was given assurance by the head teacher that she would no longer distribute it,

Now the Free Church has accused the Humanist Society of "bullying" in its attempts to suppress "It's Your Move" which was described by Christians as a "fun and friendly guide to moving to secondary school".

Objections to the book, which was given out at a leavers' event last year, revolved around references to seeking guidance from God.

Mr McLelland said "The literature is obviously an attempt to evangelise young children at a vulnerable phase in their lives. "

He said school was first and foremost a place of learning, where pupils should be challenged and inspired to learn and question the world around them.

He said the HSS was supportive of comparative religious education, and measures to make religious observance more inclusive and tolerant of other faith positions.

However he continued " The attempts by Scripture Union, and others, to target evangelical material to young children at a vulnerable transition phase in their lives is wrong.

"We know that 74% of children aged 14-17 are not religious, and of those who are religious there will be a diversity of beliefs.

"Religion is a private choice which should not be forced on anyone, let alone young school children. "

But Rev David Robertson, who will become Free Church Moderator in May, said: "Lobbying a headteacher to ban a book mentioning prayer is petty and vindictive, as well as setting a dangerous precedent that suppresses free speech.

"I think the involvement of HSS here is a form of bullying and intimidation, as they have basically told a headteacher what to do. It seems rather intolerant that the humanists cannot handle a book which mentions prayer. "

He said it was worrying that head teachers appeared willing to entertain the agendas of lobbying groups, and all sorts of people would be writing asking for their books to be promoted and others to be banned.

Mr Robertson said his children were constantly barraged with humanist philosophies and literature in school.

"As Christians we can handle that, we discuss material we don't agree with. I don't like my children coming home with Stonewall propaganda, but we don't demand it be banned for everyone. "

He said if parents were unhappy with materials offered to pupils, all they had to do was hand the book back and ask not to be offered it again.