Kirk’s silence

The Church of Scotland is woefully silent on the homosexual marriage debate (your report, 13 October). Though representing a membership of nearly half a million and an interest base of more than two million, it is saying nothing.

Let it not hide behind the pretence of theological study on another matter.

The Moderator has responsibilities to the mission statement of the Church of Scotland, which reads: “The vision of the Church of Scotland is to be a Church which seeks to inspire the people of Scotland and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic worshipping, witnessing, nurturing and serving communities.”

Will the Moderator issue a statement affirming the value of marriage in general and of Christian marriage in particular?

(Rev Dr) Robert Anderson

Blackburn & Seafield Church

MacDonald Gardens

Blackburn

Peter Kearney, the Roman Catholic Church’s director of media in Scotland, says of Gordon Wilson’s call for a referendum on gay marriage: “This is a very interesting proposal, which merits wider attention. If we really want to take the national temperature on this, then there could be a need for a referendum” (your report, 12 October).

He should be careful what he wishes for. The use of referenda on matters of social policy might lead to calls for a taking of the national temperature on the matter of separate Roman Catholic schools.

Paul Brownsey

Larchfield Road

Glasgow

Do these people who call themselves Christians not realise or care about the hurt they cause, not only to gay people but to their families, by opposing their right to be married in church?

K Wilson

Middle Norton

Edinburgh

The Scottish Government, in its foreword to the consultation on same-sex marriage, states: “We also hope that everyone will treat those with different or opposing views with courtesy and respect, within the very highest standards given of democratic discourse.”

This lofty aim was sadly not met by Mark Boyle (Letters, 11 October), whose personal attack upon “Rev Robinson” included the accusation that I was a coward for not responding before the Catholic Church, while being at the same time a self-publicist for responding at all.

He makes a number of other accusations for which I hope in the interests of balance you will allow me to set the record straight. Solas CPC is not a “Free Church front” but is an ecumenical group of Christians from many different backgrounds.

I fully support the Catholic Church in its stance on marriage and am happy to say so. I do not enter this fray lightly or with any desire for self-publicity – the hate mail and vitriol from those who describe themselves as liberal and tolerant are just not worth it.

As far as I know, my own denomination, the Free Church of Scotland (not the Wee Free), was quite “uncringed” by my response to Richard Dawkins. The Dawkins Letters was surprisingly, given the smallness of the publisher and the unknown author, a minor bestseller.

As regards the people of Dundee, we are pleasantly surprised to find ourselves in a growing, redeveloping church which is attended by people of many different backgrounds.

If Mr Boyle had bothered to check on these facts then perhaps he would have been a little more courteous and respectful in his response, and he would at least have got my name right!

(Rev) David A Robertson

Solas CPC

St Peter Street

Dundee

Marriage is not a finite resource. In what way do Christians lose out if two people who love each other deeply are allowed to get married?

M David

Dalnair Street

Glasgow