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Sexuality conversations; and civil marriage

by
11 July 2014

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From Mr Peter Bolton

Sir, - Your story on the conversations on sexuality organised by the House of Bishops (4 July) quotes Prebendary Rod Thomas of Reform as saying: ". . . it makes it very difficult for us to participate in something which accepts you can disobey something in the Bible and yet be a good disciple of Christ."

Lots of members of the congregations in our benefice (including the Rector) work on the sabbath (whether defined as Saturday or Sunday), and we haven't had them put to death, as we are clearly instructed to in Exodus 35.2. Is Prebendary Thomas perhaps using a different Bible from mine?

PETER BOLTON
The Rectory
Micklebring Lane
Braithwell
Rotherham S66 7AS
 

From Canon Jeremy Pemberton

Sir, - I recently got married. As your readers will perhaps know, it was a civil marriage. And, being a civil marriage, it had to be religion-free.

Noel Ford's cartoon (4 July) appears to suggest, rather patronisingly, that religion-free weddings somehow lose their true essence, and are devoid of all meaning and delight. I want to reassure people that nothing could be further from the truth.

JEREMY PEMBERTON
47 Easthorpe
Southwell
Nottinghamshire
NG25 0HY

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