Letter: Section 28 is wrong

Sir: Rupert Thorne (letter, 8 November) is wrong on at least three counts in his support for Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988. Homosexuality is not a matter of "choice" but the innate condition of a minority of the population. Others cannot acquire it by "promotion".

I, too, am a parent, but I believe in the individuality of the child as a person and that, if they grow into an awareness of being homosexual, they should be educated in an accepting environment free from the risk of bullying. Section 28 creates quite the reverse situation, with the only losers being those young people struggling to cope with their developing sexuality.

Orthodox Jews, Christians and Muslims may believe same-sex acts to be unacceptable, but they should not lose sight of the fact that, at the time the scriptures were written, their authors could have no comprehension of the homosexual condition and would perceive same-sex acts as between wayward heterosexuals. Be that as it may, none has the right to impose their religious mores on the population as a whole, or even their members, by use of the criminal law.

Given that the common scriptures of these religions are far clearer in their prohibition of adultery, which most certainly can be promoted, can we anticipate a movement for anti-adultery legislation?

DAVID N TAYLOR

Halifax, West Yorkshire