Letters: We are not illiberal, we just do not want unfair religious privilege

Archbishop Tartaglia's statement about "wishy-washy" Catholics, is unfortunately patronising and offensive to the many devout followers who share his faith, and he is just plain wrong when he accuses secularists of being hostile to believing "in anything supernatural". I am a secularist but based partly on the awesome beauty and complexity of life I strongly suspect that there is a spiritual dimension to existence, and that guides my actions. It's just that I don't feel comfortable with religious affiliation, and more importantly, I believe as all secularists do, that there should be no unfair religious privilege in Scotland.

I would defend Mr McKenna's right to express his beliefs to the hilt, but he should be careful not to confuse the fantasy of "an illiberal and feral anti-religious movement" with ordinary people who prefer to be treated as thinking adults trying to live in a world where they have some measure of control over their own decisions.

Barry Stansfield,

8 Haggs Gate, Glasgow.

AS a Socialist and a gay Catholic now married to the man I have loved for 27 years, I must object to Kevin McKenna's attempt to portray the Catholic Church as a bulwark against creeping secularism. His analysis seems to present Catholicism as a monolith and he seems to think that most Catholics accept uncritically the dogma of the church.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Those in the church hierarchy who continue to condemn same-sex marriage, contraception and women's reproductive rights do not speak for all of us. We did not elect them and, until the elevation of Cardinal Bergoglio to the Papacy in 2013 (taking the name Francis), we had not been consulted on our views.

As Mr McKenna should know, there have long been vibrant debates within the church on sexuality, on gender, on the shortcomings of a celibate priesthood and on ordaining women. There is plenty of healthy disagreement within the church and there are many who, like me, believe the activities of conservatives are undermining the papacy of Francis, damaging the church and distorting the inclusive message of Christ.

The Catholic Church has a long and honourable history of campaigning for and supporting the oppressed. The links between Catholicism and socialism in Scotland are not accidental, and the church has played a crucial role in improving the lot of working people, of immigrants, of ethnic minorities and of those who are unable to work. Elsewhere in the world Catholics have opposed imperialism, exploitation and untrammelled capitalism, as for example in Latin America and in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Some, like the courageous El Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero who was murdered while saying mass, have been martyred for standing up for the oppressed.

For many of us within the church issues around sexuality, gender and reproductive rights are an extension of this work. Just as my socialism and my faith are inextricably linked, so are my sexuality and my faith. I cannot separate the gift of my love for another man from the gift of my faith.

Kevin Crowe,

69 Loch Street, Wick.

KEVIN McKenna manages an incredible feat in combining the Catholic Church and the Orange Order against a common enemy described as “an illiberal and feral anti-religious movement which wants to criminalise faith”. He also attributes some extreme views to this movement, blaming it for branding anti-abortionists as women-haters and those against same-sex marriage as homophobic.

Apart from a few idiots who trawl around social media espousing these views, my experience over three score years and five is that, in general, Scotland has become a more liberal, tolerant and respectful society. The fact that some of the major tenets of religion have been increasingly challenged over the years is not evidence of a movement to criminalise faith, but of a society which is no longer in thrall to established religions, based as they are on a long history of misogyny and homophobia.

Bill Stewart,

17 Benalder Street, Glasgow.

KEVIN McKenna merely describes the logical outcome of recent cultural wars against Christianity which continue to this day. Scotland is not halfway to becoming like North Korea, but the SNP in government has betrayed the sense of Scotland as a reasoning place influenced by Christianity for some 1,700 years.

Today, the courts uphold homosexual ideology against Christian principle and practice. Grotesque pride marches are attended by leading politicians while Christian associated displays are condemned as bigotry. The meaning of language is stood on its head with phrases like “his husband” and “her wife”. Conformity to falsehood is demanded on pain of social ostracisation.

Feminists do not extend sensitivities to ecology and the environment to unborn human life. Industrial scale abortion is now a factor in our nation. The life of a fox is of more value to some. Christian leaders have been afraid to speak out with the distinctive Christian message.

There has been no evaluation of whether the legalisation of homosexuality and of abortion have actually been of benefit to society. Journalists pander to political correctness and conform to state propaganda. Christians have lost their nerve in the face of hostility. Yet Christ’s Gospel is life-affirming and life-saving.

Rev Dr Robert Anderson,

8 Old Auchans View, Dundonald.

KEVIN McKenna always has a wee chuckle with his atheist chums when they can’t explain why the seasons fall in the same order year after year. Seriously? Are all his atheist chums six years old? Or journalists maybe?

Mr McKenna, things have moved on from Ptolemy; Google Copernicus and get with the times. Well, the 16th century for a start.

Jim McInally,

47/1 Falcon Gardens, Edinburgh.

KEVIN McKenna's superb article should be commended. Can I suggest that unlike many of his journalist colleagues, he actually knows what most people think?

Michael Watson,

74 Wardlaw Avenue, Rutherglen.