Sir, The question of whether or not the Church of Scotland will ordain homosexual candidates is far from decided.
I understand the legal department of the church has advised that an “overture”, in terms of last Monday’s motion advocating homosexual clergy, should be drawn up and presented to the General Assembly of 2014.
Thereafter, if it is accepted, the overture will be sent down to presbyteries under the Barrier Act.
Presbyteries would respond before the 2015 General Assembly. This would mean that the matter could not become law until the 2015 General Assembly.
The Assembly will consist of a different set of individuals on each of these occasions, since the presbyteries elect their representatives on a rota.
Outcomes can change. I find it exciting that the church is finding so many column centimetres in the press. There is all too little debate.
Perhaps the public will take more notice of this great institution that has had such a strong influence in shaping our culture.
Rev Jack Gisbey. Whitmyre House, 28 St Andrews Road, Largoward.
Why all the furore in this day and age?
Sir, Why all the furore about same sex marriage and gay ministers? And why is David Cameron making such a big deal of it?
I thought we lived in a time when our sexual orientation, allowing of course for biological influences, was largely a matter of personal choice.
If a minister feels he cannot in all conscience marry a gay couple, fair enough. Let them find a minister who will.
If a gay minister is loved and respected by his congregation for the work he does, they’ll likely keep him.
And if a congregation can’t abide the thought of having a gay minister, then better he move to where he’s wanted.
Ian Nimmo White. 16 Allan Street, Leslie, Fife.
There are votes to be had
Sir, So Alex Salmond has refused to make an unequivocal condemnation of the childish barracking by demonstrators of Nigel Farage, UKIP Leader and MEP on his recent visit to Edinburgh. These demonstrators in large part would seem to have been members from the Radical Independence Campaign.
This left-wing group are not, of course, part of the SNP but are a collective body, which includes Greens, socialists, peace campaigners and intellectuals, however, Alex Salmond must be well aware that in the forthcoming 2014 referendum on independence, such a pro-nationalist group, despite the fact they are pushing for a rather more radical agenda for Scotland, will be supportive of the YES campaign.
So maybe in part, this could explain the First Minister’s reticence in not condemning the group’s loutish and wholly undemocratic behaviour?
There are votes to be had so sitting on the fence and prevaricating is by far his best option.
Neil McKinnon. Tulchan Garden, Glenalmond, Perth.
An essential difference
Sir, I note with interest the comments of councillors Brennan, Gordon and Keenan regarding the ‘bedroom tax’ (May 24).
I would point out that the Labour Party has already stated it will not abolish the bedroom tax should it be re-elected to Westminster Government so I would presume these councillors, so opposed to the bedroom tax, might now be considering their own position within a Labour Party that no longer protects the vulnerable in society?
With regards to mitigation of the bedroom tax, Cllr Gordon states: “devolution was designed for moments like this.”
Disregarding the fact that Labour recently voted against devolving social security and welfare to the Scottish Parliament, I would suggest this highlights the essential difference between Labour and the SNP on this issue.
Labour is happy for devolution to try to mitigate the worst excesses of the bedroom tax; the SNP wants independence in order that we can completely abolish this iniquitous tax.
Cllr Kevin Cordell. Depute Convener Housing, City Chambers, Dundee.
Flatpack groan
Sir, I read a headline in The Courier the other day with interest MFI calls for capital spending. I trust they are going to contact a member of the cabinet?
John Johnston. Annfield Farm, Dunfermline.