Law and belief

IT has long been the practice in most democratic states to enact legislation seeking to establish, protect or defend civil and human rights.

There still seem to be clerics of the Roman Catholic persuasion who believe our laws should reflect their beliefs.

The Civil Partnership Bill is a progressive measure which is long overdue and very welcome. It would be wholly undemocratic and discriminatory for the state to legislate for what Fr TomIngoldsby (Letters, June 23) calls sin, namely sexual intercourse between two consenting adults. Such an attitude on his part reveals a flawed view of humanity. We are not a theocratic state.