Only "minority" support for same-sex marriage
THE law and most people accept that should a same-sex couple wish to live together then they should and indeed are able to do so ("We are winning the fight against anti-gay army", Narvel Annable, Opinions, March 13).
The question that raises so many objections is the term "marriage".
This country is (still) predominantly Christian and the definition of marriage within the Christian church is one that may only be undertaken between a man and a woman. Rightly so, as procreation is a significant part of marriage.
Mr Annable then states that as the three main party leaders support same-sex marriage this represents two-thirds of the population! They may represent two-thirds of voters but these are a minority of the population due to the majority having no trust in politicians.
These are the same politicians who deny the people of this nation a referendum on such issues as EU membership, human rights, immigration, the NHS, law and order and illegal wars.
Rod Clulow
Blagreaves Lane
Littleover
This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:
Despair at Government's breaking of pledges
I despair for our country. This wretched and unelected Coalition Government has broken almost every election manifesto pledge, from the referendum on Europe, crime, tuition fees, immigration and on and on.
And yet it doggedly pursues policies it knows the majority of citizens do not want and did not vote for: marriages in church for gays, ludicrous wind turbines and its pernicious undermining of the Christian faith.
The latest example of this is that some junior Lib-Dem minister has ordered lawyers to oppose the rights of Christian workers to wear the cross at work.
While Christians are banned from displaying the symbol of their faith, this coalition, spurred on doubt Nick Clegg and his bunch of interfering amateurs, grovels to appease minority faiths.
They have criticised various regimes worldwide for not allowing their citizens free speech, yet, with breathtaking hypocrisy, they undermine freedom of speech in this country and brand those who speak out as bigots and racists.
Clegg and Co have far too much influence for their meagre numbers and slippery Cameron goes along with their perverse agenda.
His so-called commitment to equality does not, it seems, extend to Christians. It is grotesque.
John Orgill
Littleover
Gay people should get the respect they deserve
Alan Walker from Stanley Common states that "unless you are gay, you do not command any respect" ("For true Christians, God's law is always God's law", Opinion, March 29). He is "sick and tired of the coverage they get on television and in the papers".
I sincerely wish the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community did command more respect. I wish it was not necessary to continually fight our corner in the media. Mr Walker goes on to say that he has "nothing against gay people".
However, his homophobic interpretation of the Bible gives licence to gay bashers who hang around gay venues looking to enjoy their Saturday night sport.
Many youngsters, who share same-sex attraction, fearing abuse or violence, are afraid to go near these places and continue to be lonely. Mr Walker has no such problem. He will be able to enter and leave his church without any threat of humiliation.
At long last, the equality and diversity efforts of Derby City Council are trying to undo centuries of emotional damage inflicted upon a vulnerable minority. Before the election, Nick Clegg proposed all schools should be required to teach that homosexuality is normal. Some are doing that.
I agree with Mr Walker when he says "enough is enough!" If all gay people "stood up to be counted" they, like Christians, would "gain the respect they deserve!".
Narvel Annable
Dovedale Crescent
Belper
This article is published in today's Northants Evening Telegraph:
Doctor fighting religious discrimination claims
A Christian doctor who resigned from the county's adoption panel told an employment tribunal she believes children placed with same-sex couples are more likely to become gay themselves.
Dr Sheila Matthews, 52, of Kettering, who is bringing a case of religious discrimination against Northamptonshire County Council, said she began researching the issue of same-sex adoption after a training course in March 2004.
She told the hearing in Leicester yesterday: "The child is likely to be subjected to attitudes and influences which promote homosexual relationships rather than heterosexual relationships.
"This means children are more likely to consider or be involved in homosexual relationships themselves.
"Lesbian communities often present an anti-male bias and this may be difficult for boys. Boys without a father can grow up believing the father role is not important and will lack a good role model for being a father themselves or having a healthy heterosexual relationship."
Dr Matthews, a community paediatrician with the council since 1991, was on a panel responsible for interviewing couples hoping to adopt but asked permission to abstain from voting in cases where homosexuals applied to adopt due to her beliefs.
She lost her job last year but was partially reinstated to the panel without any voting rights – in both cases of homosexual and heterosexual couples. She resigned in March last year.
She said: "As a Christian, my faith leads me to believe that marriage between a man and a woman in a faithful monogamous sexual relationship is the most appropriate environment for the upbringing of children.
"The Bible is also clear that homosexual practice is not how God wants us to live."
She added: "Having considered research and opinions from different sources I became aware there was evidence to suggest that children placed with same sex couples did less well. I am aware that there are different viewpoints but I believe that there are many reasonable people who believe as I do.
"The gay lifestyle is one which attracts risks for many reasons and it is not appropriate to encourage children towards it. These risks include mental health problems, including depression, suicide and substance misuse. There is increased incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and certain cancers.
"The overarching principle of adoption is to seek the best interests of the child who has already experienced disadvantage."I believe that I am being discriminated against on the grounds of my religion or belief, a belief that is supported by rational scientific research."
Martin Pratt, the council's former head of services for children, young people and families, told the tribunal: "I asked her whether she could consider applicants on their merits. She said she could not.
"She did not believe it was in the interests of the child to be adopted by a same-sex couple.
"She said she had a religious objection and made reference to there being some research.
"Both of these were part of Dr Matthews' reasoning for her decision.
"Primarily it was a religious matter, I think. Her inability to act fully in her capacity posed a serious problem."
The three-day hearing is expected to finish today.
