There must be separation between religion and state schools

There is no weird campaign in schools against Christians or their beliefs.

Schools, not just Catholic ones, have never supported the "unscientific gender ideology" about which Mr Mackenna complains. I was a teacher in primary schools for a long time and never for one second did I perceive any hostility, or prejudice against Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus or anyone else, whose religious, sexual, racial or gender identity was in a societal minority.

Scottish schools teach how to learn and how to prepare for the real world as well as facts, like "I can investigate and identify the multiples and factors of numbers". Useful stuff, no doubt, and part of the Experiences and Outcomes of the Curriculum for Excellence taught in Scotland. (Pedants like me can refer to Experience and Outcome, 2nd level, MTH2-05a.) This seems like a universally accepted skill for state employees to be teaching children.

However, for state employees to be teaching that a child should be able to "identify the three persons in the Holy Trinity" and ask them to "reflect upon how I can honour the Holy Trinity" (E&O RERC 2-04a) would seem to be beyond all reason.

Multiples, factors and the Holy Trinity are all part of the Scottish curriculum. Is it just me, or does this strike anyone else as outrageous?

At home, church, temple, or whatever, teach your children well, but there needs to be an absolute separation between religion and state education.

AJ Clarence, Prestwick.

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• I SEE that a recent poll ("Most Christians feel unsupported by Scottish Government, new poll finds" ", The Herald, July 23) has further encouraged the idea that the only comment Christianity has to make on public policy is to lean into the most reactionary position available on anything to do with LGBTQ rights, especially issues of gender identity and same sex marriage. Kevin McKenna even goes so far as to suggest that opposition to same-sex marriage is a "long-standing pillar of authentic Christian belief and not merely confined to the Free Church of Scotland".

It seems a little odd to describe opposition to a 2014 Act as "long-standing" in relation a creed that is over two millennia old, but I take his point. He thinks that that the Church has an ancient grudge match against anyone who isn't straight or cis. Setting aside that the Church performed same-sex marriages for centuries throughout its first millennium and into the Middle Ages, setting aside that much of the worldwide church continued to do so after that, and setting aside that much of the modern church now does so again, it is not even close to being what might be considered one of the main public policy questions raised by the history and teaching of Christianity.

The radical redistribution of wealth, a loving welcome for migrants and refugees, and an unconditional rejection of violence as a tool for settling disputes of any kind are foundational elements of the Christian message. It would be great to hear a little more about those both from those who profess Christian faith and media commentators who opine on the subject.

Nick Bibby, Glasgow.

Shame on waste workers unions

I AM disgusted with the unions' demands for pay rises for council waste workers ("Unions snub pay offer for waste staff", the Herald, July 23).

There is no thought for the stench and overflowing bins in our capital city. No thought for the potential spread of disease. No thought for the millions of tourists who come to one of the most popular and beautiful cities in the world. No thought for the thousands from all over the world who make their pilgrimage to the Fringe.

But no doubt with these bully boy tactics by the union this dispute will be settled quickly. This is probably one of many strikes that we expect now that we have a union-backed Labour government.

Neil Stewart, Balfron.

Open-rota clubs should lobby R&A

KEITH Swinley (Letters, July 23) makes some very valid points regarding how The Open has morphed over recent years into a corporate hospitality-orientated, money-making extravaganza for the R&A, compared to what it used to be, namely a fan-focused, affordable to everyone, golf tournament.

As a past member of Royal Troon myself, the difference between the Open of last week and those hosted by the club in the 1970s and 80s is quite unbelievable, differences I must add not all for the positive in terms of affordable enjoyment for everyday golf fans.

Spectators at the Open at Royal Troon last week (Image: PA)

To Mr Swinley’s point regarding how he, as a member of Royal Troon, felt like a second-class citizen given the nature of the control imposed by the R&A’s operations, he is in no way alone in feeling this way, as I have had the same views expressed to me by a large number of Royal Troon member friends who feel the same based on their experiences in and around the clubhouse last week.

Perhaps it’s time that those clubs who are on The Open rota get together and tell the R&A what they want for the benefit of their members during Open week.

I’m all in favour of major sporting events evolving and developing in a positive way, but if squeezing over 400,000 people over a golf course during a six-day period, asking the majority of them to pay up front for their tickets, asking them to pay exorbitant prices for food and beverages - due to the F&B providers being charged so much by the R&A for their pitch - is positive evolution and development from a fans' point of view, then I, along with Mr Swinley, have clearly missed something.

Paul McPhail, Glasgow.

So, another thing...

I AGREE with John Ireland-Matthew (Letters, July 20) that the phrase “you know” is annoying and meaningless. To that I'd like to add “So” when it's used to initiate a response to a question.

Geoff Moore, Alness.