Day of rest

In AN open and democratic society, a plethora of groups clamour to promote their own ideas of how society should be regulated and structured. They lobby government and businesses, arguing and exerting whatever influence they can bring to bear.

Paul Brownsey (Letters, 1 October) failed to explain why Christians opposing Sunday sailings are any different than, say, people objecting to a new Tesco superstore. His overblown rhetoric about Christians seeking to “rule, impose, dominate, compel, bend everyone to their will” is more a reflection of his own hostility to religion than any uniquely sinister element in Christians’ campaigning.

I don’t particularly oppose Sunday sailings, but a shared day relatively free from employment demands is a better way of regulating working hours than the European Union working hours directive. The Bible records the inception of one special day of rest in seven, and this system has been evident throughout human history. Attempts to deviate from it have been short-lived failures.

RICHARD LUCAS

Broomyknowe

Colinton, Edinburgh