Same-sex unions

This is now at the point where the Scottish Government, in the name of political correctness, is determined that, acceptable or not, this should pass into Scots law.

It is also unfortunate that Nicola Sturgeon, like Wendy Alexander before her, makes a point of promoting it as some sort of personal crusade. Can no-one see that we live in truly desperate times, in which the traditional family unit is already under immense strains? Yet those who hold the reins of power seem intent on undermining it still further?

One can quibble about semantics all one wishes, but a traditional marriage is now and always has been between a man and a woman and there is no good or obvious reason to change this on some political whim.

Same-sex couples already are allowed to be joined in a civil ceremony so why the dogmatic obsession about obtaining a religious blessing as well?

The other factor here is who would conduct these ceremonies. Because the claims that any cleric holding views that made it unacceptable to them would not be forced to are unsafe.

European legislation might well make it a legal obligation for them to conduct such rites, thus making those who legitimately feel unable to do so liable to prosecution. We are told the various surveys indicate that “a majority” approves of religious same-sex marriages, but one must ask about the age and/or social demographic of such surveys; no one has ever asked me or anyone else I know. We are also told that such a ruling is a sign of “progressive” government. Is it really?

Perhaps, instead, it is a sign of a government afraid to defend traditional values in an attempt to woo possible voters to its cause. If that is the case then perhaps it should reflect on how many votes such a move would cost it.

Brian Allan

Keith Street

Kincardine-on-Forth

Alloa, Clacks