IF the Human Rights Act and its associated legislation protects Christians, as stated by Mr Goodwin (Letters, February 10) why have Catholic Adoption Agencies had to close and preachers been arrested for proclaiming biblical truth?

Homosexuals are, quite rightly, free to publicly promote their lifestyle, even though I may disagree with it. But under the Act, those abiding by the Judeo-Christian ethos no longer have this freedom. The Christian life is not a private matter. In order to be credible it has to be lived out in society. Those attempting to do so are likely to find themselves in the same positon as the owners of the Cornish Bed and Breakfast and lose everything - and there are many B&Bs in the south west — unless we take action now to get the Government to do something.

The smoking ban permits anyone to smoke, if they are foolish enough, but balances this with the right of others to breathe clean air. The one-sided Human Rights Act in its present form leaves faithful Christians open to persecution and must  be modified. This is more important than the issue of prisoners' votes. With Parliament in a mood to stand up to the EU for once, we must press for immediate action before the lives of other morally minded people are destroyed.

Terence Scarborough

Uplands

Tavistock

I AM glad that Lindy Roberts (Letters, February 17), accepts that it is misinterpretation of the Bible, rather than its underlying truths, which has been a cause of oppression.

The example she cites of the murder of a gay rights activist in Uganda is a tragic example of this. I can assure her that Christianity is not about hatred or rejection of 'the other' — indeed, Jesus caused offence to the legalists of his day by the company he kept.

I am among many Christians who do not read the Bible as outlawing committed homosexual relationships — what it does condemn is exploitation and selfishness. I also ask those Christians who disagree: why has this become the only question of sexual morality we are seen to care about? I would rather see these columns covering the concern we do have to tackle domestic abuse and pornography. B&B owners have no way of banning these from their bedrooms.

A related letter called for repeal of the Human Rights Act. The Act put into British law obligations we already had under international conventions, including protection of thought, religion and belief, privacy and a family life. Anyone who thinks it unreasonable should realise what they are rejecting – see the excellent explanation on http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk">www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk

Christine Harbottle

Deer Park Lane

Tavistock