i Editor's Letter: Opposed or in favour?

Too many angry words have been spilled about gay marriage. Those opposed tend to be older and religious, those in favour younger and not. The former are on the wrong side of history here.

It doesn't seem that difficult. It depends on your view of the Bible in governing Britain or any other modern-day country. Unlike some, I do not believe people who oppose gay marriage are automatically bigots, but I can't accept people who refer to the Bible in connection with the law. The significant majority of Britons do not go to church, do not believe that the Bible's teachings are to be taken literally. Still more believe it wrong to quote selectively from, say, Leviticus to justify prejudice.

That said, I do believe religions should be able not to marry gay people if they wish. I'd question why any couple turned away by a religion would wish to be part of it. That "marriage is between a man and a woman" is not an argument, just an observation about the commonplace. Letting gay people marry does not change or weaken the institution any more than allowing Catholics and others to marry in their own, rather than Anglican, churches did. Surely it strengthens and enriches marriage to have equality for all before the law?

I don't accept all naysayers are bigots, but the debate revealed the true colours of those like Roger Gale MP who equated gay marriage with incest. Shame on him, and on those like him.

It's simple: religion should not govern us, neither mine nor yours, but representatives of the people should. And tomorrow's adults want equal marriage.