Sir, David Robertson (Courier, April 16) blames the undermining of education on perceived secular advances in society yet admits that current schooling is still based on Christian teaching and values.
He asks if we want to copy a failing American system. As the USA is one of the strongest Christian countries in the world it would be fairer to ask if blind religious belief is why their system is failing.
I respect people of all religious faiths but firmly believe that faith should not be imposed in schools. The proper place for observance of a family’s beliefs can only flow from home. Parents can lead but schools can’t impose religion on children who will always make their own adult choices.
Mr Robertson appears to favour the schooldays of John Knox when the psalms were belted into children rather than science and mathematics. Non- religious educational progress and not an enforced Church of Scotland evangelism is needed in the modern world.
It is often argued that morality without Christianity is not possible. Why not? If we care for each other and observe the law then people of all faiths and non-believers can live together in respect and peace. I presume that the young thugs in Glasgow’s anti-Maggie demos had the current schooling based on Christian morality. Is Mr Robertson claiming they were all secularists?
Where I agree with Mr Robertson is that Scottish education needs to be improved. The way forward is not a historical step backwards or more state-funding of religious schools.
Mr Robertson wants Church of Scotland teaching imposed within the state system but is he for state funding for Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu and other beliefs including Humanism to fairly represent the needs of 21st century Britain?
Such extended options or levels of funding are not mentioned in his article.
Angus Brown. The Orchard, Longforgan, Dundee.
Hopefully they will be more responsible
Sir, With reference to Tuesday’s article, Push for cyclists to be given ‘proper protection’, I would hope that cyclists will act more responsibly in return for more protection.
Two issues in particular come to mind.
Cycling after dark. It is incredible how often I encounter cyclists at night with no, or only one, light.
It seems to be more the norm than a rare event. As recently as last Friday evening on a short stretch of the Perth Road in Dundee near Harris Academy I saw three cyclists within a distance of less than half a mile with no lights . . . front or rear.
I am not 100% on the Highway Code here but often when encountering a group of cycling enthusiasts, normally at the weekend, they ride in a pack taking up the width of the carriageway which often means they are difficult to pass.
In my younger days (a few years ago now) I was taught that you had to go single file when there was traffic approaching from the rear.
If you’ll pardon the pun this issue is a “two way street”.
Brian Smyth. 10 Benvie Road, Fowlis, Dundee.
Anti-Maggie rants a joke
Sir, The economic facts of the 1970s and 1980s, now being written about, will show people what a dump Britain was under Wilson and Callaghan until Margaret Thatcher put her steely will to fixing things.
The anti-Thatcher ranting of today’s youth is a joke. To understand what was happening in Britain in 1979 such as 28% inflation you would have to have been in business, or in non-union employment, probably in middle management, and, say, about 30 years of age.
So today, you would need to be about 64 to really understand the incompetence of socialism and what Thatcher rescued us from.
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.
Aggrieved at such expenses
Sir, If Jim McGovern MP attended a party meeting in Glasgow before going on to Westminster, then his journey for travel expenses purposes began in Glasgow, not Dundee. Why does he seem to find this simple fact so hard to accept?
If, as he claims, he travelled via Glasgow to lower his travel expenses, then why did he feel the need to fly business class?
Many taxpayers will be aggrieved at being expected to pay for such luxuries, at a time when spending cuts are being made and living standards are going down.
Thomas Fothringham. Murthly Estate, Perth.
What does it mean?
Sir, I would be grateful if someone would explain what the following (from Monday’s Courier) means.
It concerns the revised V&A design plan. According to the application: “The building envelope is created by methods of twisting, connecting and layering the city grid axis and the Discovery ship axis, using a ring structure made of reconstituted stone and concrete to complement the traditional construction materials used in Dundee and reflect the natural cliff structure of the coastline.”
Is this what is meant by gobbledegook?
Peter Baylis. Wormit.