Letter: Same-sex marriage a matter of choice

John Mason MSP has got it badly wrong (your report, 4 August). Supporters of marriage equality are not in favour of "forcing" religious organisations into accepting same-sex marriage.

We simply believe that religious organisations should have the right to make that decision for themselves.

What's the problem with that? Surely that is just common sense.

It is a different story, however, when it comes to officials working for the General Register Office for Scotland.

Registrars are representatives of the state and therefore have a duty to provide an equal service for all citizens regardless of their own personal prejudices or opinions.

Would Mr Mason support the right of a registrar refusing to officiate over the marriage of a mixed-race couple because it didn't tie in with their personal beliefs?

Of course not. So why the double standard? Why are bigoted views considered more acceptable because the holder of them happens to adhere to a particular religion?

Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon have been uncharacteristically quiet on where they stand on marriage equality.

That said, it now suddenly becomes clear why Brian Souter was all too willing to provide the SNP with such a large donation in the run-up to the last election.

Ross Chmiel

Easter Road

Edinburgh

With the input of interns supplied by Christian organisation and main SNP backer, Brian Souter's wish for "family values" candidates in all constituencies, it should be no surprise that John Mason put forward a motion preventing an organisation or person being "forced to be involved" in gay marriage. He can be assured no religionist will be harmed in the ceremonial joining of any gay couples.

Garry Otton

Finnieston Street

Glasgow

Richard Lucas's notion that marriage "was instituted by God" (Letters, 4 August) is absurd.

His God does not exist, and marriage pre-dates his religion.

It is also rich to complain about a Dutch man recently acquiring two "wives" in view of his God's evident approval of King Solomon's vast harem.

In its simplest form marriage is a public contract between two people who love one another.

The gender of those people is irrelevant.

(Dr) Stephen Moreton

Marina Avenue

Warrington, Cheshire