Who’s aggressive?

Dr Gordon Macdonald laments that Christian rights to “practise their faith openly and to speak freely” are being eroded by “aggressive secularism” (Friends of the Scotsman, 22 December).

He claims that “expressing a dislike of another person’s lifestyle or beliefs” should not be considered a hate crime.

I’m sorry Mr Macdonald, if you want to openly declare your belief in a supernatural being, then please, knock yourself out.

If, however, you wish to discriminate against gay people simply for who they are, you should know that, happily, there is equality legislation which trumps what you call your “religious liberty”.

NEIL BARBER Edinburgh Secular Society Saughtonhall Drive, Edinburgh Gordon Macdonald, of Christian Action, Research and Education, complains about “aggressive secularism”.

This is the same Gordon Macdonald who fronted the campaign to deny same-sex marriage to anyone in Scotland. Not even non-christians were to be allowed to do what his religion condemned. There is something in his faith about motes and beams and perhaps he should examine the aggressive Christianity in himself.

He displayed the same streak as a member of East Dunbartonshire Council. When civil partnerships for same-sex couples came in, he tried to get the Council to refuse civil partnership ceremonies.

Happily, he was outvoted – happily for me, in particular, since mine was the first civil partnership in East Dunbartonshire. If he had had his way, this aggressive Christian would have denied me the happiest event of my life. PAUL BROWNSEY

Larchfield Road Bearsden, Glasgow