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Christians persecuted here at home

In a recent article Jeremy Hunt MP asked the question: “Should religious persecution matter in a secular world?”

It is an interesting question particularly as last year over 4,000 Christians were killed because of their faith.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts the sanctity of ‘freedom of thought, conscience and religion’ and the UK has long been an advocate for freedom of religion or belief. And yet the government sits idly by and allows the thought police to trammel underfoot the supposed freedom they criticise others for suppressing.

Speak openly about your religious belief and how your principled view might clash with that of a secular organisation, and you may lose your job, be vilified in public and called the most offensive of names.

Still the government and Jeremy Hunt state with all the conviction they can muster that “Where Christians are persecuted, other human rights are often abused.” How true that is.

Jeremy Hunt recognises a real truth, “that if a regime tries to control what you believe, it will generally seek to control every other aspect of your life.”

Naturally as Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was being especially critical of foreign governments – perhaps he needs to be aware of the advice offered to Christians – ‘Why, then, do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?’ for he must be aware that Christians in this country are being marginalised, harassed and persecuted often in the name of diversity, inclusiveness and acceptance of another person’s view as being the correct one.

Des Morgan, Caraway Drive, Swindon

MEP standing down

I have been following the online debate about how to maximise the remain vote in the coming European Elections with increasing dismay.

I have decided to simplify the decision for the large numbers of constituents who have pledged their support to me personally, by not accepting a place on the candidates list for Change UK.

I would encourage my supporters to vote for candidates who have a proven record in the European Parliament and represent a party with a clear pro second referendum pledge.

I have been an MEP for 10 years and it has been a great privilege to serve the people of the South West and Gibraltar.

I would like to thank you all for your support.

Julie Girling, MEP

Think of the children

I find it extremely stressful to hear on the new of children in the UK going to school on empty stomachs and not eating for up to three days.

These poor children are not only hungry, their clothes are dirty and their shoes are literally falling off their feet. Teachers are doing their best to feed and clothe them out of their own finances and the United Nations have criticised the UK for the high increase in child poverty. This is absolutely scandalous when only the previous day a news report commented of the present and previous governments spending £9 million a year to house children from Sweden and Denmark and other European countries, to be fostered in England, Scotland and Wales.

How can the government justify that amount of money when the children are living in poverty here? No wonder so many of us are losing faith in our politicians. I feel they only represent themselves and not the people of the United Kingdom.

Anne Pollard, Goddard Avenue

Why the military?

I respond to the report and picture ( Mela makes for a marvellous Sunday afternoon) Swindon Advertiser, April 15 and ask these two questions: Is it really appropriate for the Wessex Yeomanry to have a stall at an event that is promoted and considered to be a family fun day ? And why did the Mela’s organising committee feel it was ok to have a military stall at a family event ?

As somewhere who considers himself to be a near pacifist I find the concept of a military stall at such an event abhorrent and grotesque

Martin Webb

Old Town

Define true Swindonian

In the SA’s council vox-pop of April 20 Martin Costello, Swindon UKIP, refers to the true Swindonians of UKIP who will breathe life back into Swindon.

Can I ask Mr. Costello to define a “true Swindonian UKIP”?

W Thomas, Ferndale, Swindon

Cricket club appeal

I am currently assisting the Swindon Cricket Club in putting together an exhibition to make the Club’s 175th Anniversary.

I would be grateful if any of your readers who have items they think might be interesting and would be willing to lean for display at the exhibition.

Dick Mattick, Marlborough Road, Swindon

01793 495206