Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-Further to your article (August 29) about a church minister’s proposed civil partnership, the Rev Dr John Cameron is ill-informed in his claim that the original languages of the Bible are ambivalent on gay issues.
The King James Version has been much celebrated this year on the 400th anniversary of its publication.
A group of eminent linguists collaborated on its translation from the original texts, and it is crystal clear about God’s commandments against same-gender sexual relationships both in the Old and New Testaments.
To find it inappropriate for the Rev Lynn Brady to continue as a Church of Scotland minister does not imply any hatred or censorship for her personal choice of lifestyle. She is no doubt a lovely and well-liked lady to those who know her.
It simply follows common sense that a minister, to represent a church, should not compromise the integrity of its teachings. Over-bearing gay rights are consistently being used as an instrument with which to attack and silence Christians, or any other voice which does not applaud their lifestyle.
Minority rights should never result in overlooking the rights of the majority.
Sylvia Brown.9 Beech Avenue,Ladybank.
Ministers at cross purposes
Sir,-I refer to Ewan Pate’s article about the Scottish Government’s proposed handover of productive grade two land to the Forestry Commission for tree planting (August 30).
This is in order to meet their politically driven target to increase the amount of woodland cover in Scotland.
It could be seen as a counter measure to one of their earlier decisions.
In February, contracts were signed between the commission and power companies allowing windfarms to be developed on their estate in order to meet another politically driven target.
This will inevitably lead to trees being felled which are unlikely to be replaced.
Productive farmland is a finite source and needs to be guarded carefully.
Unfortunately the Government shows no signs as yet of making food security a politically driven target.
Marion Lang.Coaltown of Callange,Ceres.
Let householders decide issue
Sir,- In the Courier (August 30) your refer to the bitter row over a new Madras school.
I feel the best way is give St Andrews householders a vote on this.
Let the ordinary people decide.
John P. McCall.25 Blinkbonny Road,Arncoarch.
Too much sugar is consumed
Sir,-The ever increasing problems of obesity (August 27) are due to our increasing consumption of refined carbohydrate foods, such as refined sugar and refined (white) flour. Sugar is the greater culprit.
In the early years of the last century the consumption of refined sugar per person in the UK amounted to about 15lb. Consumption per person is now about 129lb per person.
A whole cluster of conditions is associated with obesity, of which the most serious are diabetes and coronary heart disease.
In my view a simple reform of human diet would greatly improve the health of the nation.
Dr Walter Yellowlees.The Cottage ,Alma Avenue,Aberfeldy.
Trams should have been kept
Sir,-If you are one of the many suffering as a result of the road changes in central Edinburgh, the blame can be initially directed at post-war administrators.
After the second world war, the countries that had suffered most damage set about repairing their tram system. Britain decided to dismantle their tramways.
It was incredible to see non-polluting tramcars disappearing, eventually to be totally replaced by fume-belching buses.
The people of Edinburgh are paying for a previous lack of foresight and the ability of current councillors to get things right even now.
I. S. Gibson.52 Old Craigie Road,Dundee.
Missing from our education
Sir,-Perhaps other readers shared my sadness at the Stefan Morkis column (August 24). He was critical of the Scottish Government plan for teaching Scottish Studies in schools.
He appears to foster the idea that Scots should live in ignorance of their own history.
Of course there are some unpalatable facts about our nation. Events that need more understanding include Pictish attitude and actions during the Roman occupation, the Nordic invasions, the slave trade and the colonies.
During my secondary education at Forfar Academy I was not told of the Declaration of Arbroath.
That is why I am all for Scottish Studies.
Jim McGugan.7 The square,Letham.
Nature’s bounty on walks
Sir,-With reference to the letter about yellow raspberries (August 23), your readers may be interested to know I can still pick them on my walks along an old railway.
They taste very sweet. My parents called them honey rasps.
Margaret Gray.Rosemill,Strathmartine.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.