PLEASE keep your letters to 250 words maximum giving your name, address and daytime telephone number - even on emails. Email: letters@swindonadvertiser.co.uk. Write: Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE. Phone: 01793 501806.

Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

Few eternal truths

JEFF Adams writes again to condemn same sex marriage.

My previous replies have simply pointed out that although, yes there are Christians who yearn for a time when we view society through mediaeval spectacles, where people can be persecuted if they challenge the norms dictated from above, there are yet other Christians who want their religion to be relevant to the world we live in.

They want their understanding of their Bible to support them in making the world a better place. There is a real debate, including different interpretations of their scripture between these poles.The debate about Church-sanctioned same sex marriages is part of this.

I’m not a Christian but I’m happy that there are Christians who act on progressive positions. Swapping Plato for Satan, Mr Adams wants to frighten people from that course. His is the only acceptable view he screams and all other views are the work of the devil.

Mr Adams writes about future centuries to suggest that if, in this scary future, interpretation of the Bible adapts to modern times there won’t be much left of it.

But we don’t need a hypothetical future. The Bible and the churches that lay claim to it have changed massively already.

Without these changes Mr Adams would be damned for coveting his neighbour’s wife or slave (male or female) but he’d be OK if he had his own slave. There are few eternal truths which never change, Biblical or otherwise.

PETER SMITH

Woodside Avenue

Swindon

Lesson in religion

PERHAPS I should re-educate both Messrs Thompson and Smith, who obviously have no conception of what the name “Islamist” means, ie, the word I used in my letter about the problem we are facing in our country.

The name Islamist is short for Radical Islamism – a Muslim who has been radicalised by ignorant Mullahs, which is not wholeheartedly supported by the educated Muslims in our midst.

So I, in turn, have no problem with Muslims in general.

So one has to ask how did this happen, and my finger pointed to Tony Blair who in 1997 was advised by his aide to let thousands of uneducated Muslims from the sub-continent of India and Pakistan into the country on the fallacy that they would vote Labour and thus make a Conservative Government languish in the opposition ranks for ever and a day.

The next fact I mentioned was that 11 years later the same thing has happened in the States whereby the laws have been changed to such a degree that it now given rise to the threat of Radicalism there.

My point of view therefore tells me that surely as both countries are Christian, so other faiths in the first instance must recognise that they are living in Christian countries who tolerate other religions.

So if they are not happy they are free to try living somewhere else One thing is for sure, Christianity is not tolerated in the Middle East or Pakistan.

IAN HUNT

Hill View Road

Swindon

Thank you for my care

ON DECEMBER 17, 2016 I was unfortunate to be involved in a serious accident and was admitted to the Trauma Unit at GWH for major surgery and care.

After a few week of amazing care, was transferred to Aylesbury Ward, Savernake Hospital for rehabilitation.

I would like find words to express my appreciation to all who have played a wonderful part in my recovery, which is still ongoing.

At a time when the NHS is in the news and one hears of so many adverse stories I can only say my experience is one I will never forget.

Everyone gave their time, skills and caring with such compassion you could almost be the only patient instead of one of many.

So, thank you one and all. I hope in the not too distant future the NHS and its employees will be regarded with all they deserve and be recognised as truly the best in the world.

KAY BALSELCOU

Liddington

Pay board’s hands tied

IN YOUR report (March 29) that the Pay Review Body had recommended a one per cent pay rise for NHS staff, you stated “The Government’s insistence on the one per cent cap has tied the PRB’s hands.”

I am sure this is correct; but the whole purpose of having a PRB is that it is supposed to be independent.

It is supposed to recommend what they consider to be appropriate (taking into account a comparison of others profession’s salaries and the need to recruit and retain such staff in the NHS).

Their pay has already fallen behind others’ pay; and there is already a problem with recruitment and retention.

They should not have allowed their hands to be tied. It is up to the Government whether it will accept, reject, or modify their recommendations.

MALCOLM MORRISON

Retired Surgeon

Prospect Hill

Swindon

Industry needs aid

THE letters by Peter Smith and Don Reeve (Mar 29) are overly concerned about the slice of profit that goes to the workers from industry.

My experience is that all the highest paid jobs for the working class are always to be found in the industrial sector. It is in the service industries where people have to struggle along on the national minimum wage.

MG Rover asked Tony Blair for help in 2005. He refused to support our last remaining British owned volume car maker because left wingers are biased against helping British industry.

Globalisation means that competition is fierce in world markets and industry can only prosper these days if they get strong support from the state.

All forms of state support for industry are illegal in the EU so the sort of public private partnerships I would like to see will continue to be illegal in Britain until we have finally left the EU.

STEVE HALDEN

Beaufort Green

Swindon