Christian principles found wanting

Published on 23/07/2012 00:00

Heaven protect same-sex couples, because some of its so-called servants on earth singularly fail to do so. Some time ago (Letters, passim) I reflected sadly, as a Christian, on the fact that the essence of Christianity was more in evidence in letters from secularists and atheists than from some churchmen and their laity. However, sadness turned to anger when this became more obvious in recent letters from the Rev Dr Robert Anderson (20 July) and Alistair McBay, National Secular Society (21 July). Indeed, Mr McBay’s criticism of Dr Anderson’s, which I agreed with wholeheartedly, was more restrained than my un-Christian outburst and language on reading it.

Church of Scotland ministers themselves are a micro-minority, although this does not prevent them – along with celibate cardinals – from expressing their opinions on marriage, nor should it.

If the Kirk is a church divided, it is not the fault of same-sex couples but the differing views of the clergy on the subject and there is a degree of arrogance on Dr Anderson’s part in believing he is right and they are wrong. Whatever one’s opinion is of same-sex marriage, love is still the dominant word and is synonymous with Christianity. The word “marriage” can merely mean a union.

John R Murdoch

Aldour Gardens

Pitlochry, Perthshire