Diametrically opposed on gay marriage

Civil partners are less likely to have been married before and tend to be a bit older than those who marry. If two people want to be happy in marriage, why stop them?

Norman Bonney

Palmerston Place

Edinburgh

Given the debate in the Church of Scotland General Assembly, I think that tribute should be paid to the congregation of Queen’s Cross Aberdeen (your report, 20 May).

With thoughtfulness and prayer, with steadfast loyalty to the Church, their chosen minister, and to Jesus, and with a real sense of community and purpose they have held firm to their beliefs and their call to Rev Scott Rennie.

Whatever side of the debate one is on, let all respect the consciences and goodwill of that congregation.

(Prof) Trevor C Salmon

Granville Road

Eastbourne

Gay people pay taxes which contribute in turn to the wages of many of the public servants who now wish to abstain from providing  services to gay people on moral or religious grounds (Letters, 20 May).

Allow these public servants to observe their preferences in return for a reduced salary and pension proportional to the percentage of gay people they wish to refuse to service.

When provided with the option of reduced financial remuneration I imagine many staunch religious public servants might reconsider their prejudiced stance.

Neil Sinclair

Clarence Street

Edinburgh

We had the usual box of rhetorical tricks (Letters, 20 May) from those arguing that the Kirk should abandon Biblical Christian teaching about homosexuality, just as it has jettisoned the core Christian message of  salvation through Jesus Christ, the unique son of God, leading to eternal life.

Dr Batty’s comments about the Old Testament law showed no understanding of its place in Christian  theology, as laid out in the New Testament.

Those implying that  homosexual activity is only banned in the Old Testament either have not read the New Testament, or are being  dishonest.

Mr Campbell desperately tried to make Jesus’s love for his disciples into an indication of homosexuality. That’s about as credible as citing His walking on water as evidence that Jesus supports the new Forth Bridge project.

May I remind Rev Dr Cameron that liberal Christianity is a small and rapidly declining section of the  otherwise flourishing worldwide church.

Liberal theology has been described as the longest  suicide note in history – and the statistics bear this out.

Mr Gray labels Christian sexual ethics outdated: if he means contrary to the contemporary permissiveness that is damaging adults, children and families on a massive scale – guilty as charged.

The Apostle Paul may not endorse all of the tenets of Dr Brown’s feminism, but he was not “a grumpy old  misogynist”.

In every age there are issues where the Church faces pressure to dilute one or other of its principles, and many, unable or unwilling to see beyond the ethical fashions of the day, will be bemused by those who  approach issues with a  distinct framework of beliefs that does not sway in the  media-driven wind.

Our secular media/political establishment offers a deal to the Kirk: bow to our will and we’ll say how enlightened and nice you are; refuse and we’ll attack you as sinister bigots.

Sadly, this offer seems irresistible to many in the Kirk.

Richard Lucas

Broomyknowe

Edinburgh