Sir, – The Rev Brian Kennaway (October 1st) demonstrates with consummate ease the importance of informed interpretation when citing scripture and its subordinate authority, the Westminster Confession of Faith. The confession's statement that marriage is contracted "between one man and one woman" is clearly intended as an outright, unequivocal prohibition of polygamy, not a 17th-century censure of homosexuality.
Mr Kennaway’s interpretation serves to remind us that the Westminster Confession of Faith is a document of its time; the same document condemns the pope as “the Antichrist”. Enough said! – Yours, etc,
Prof PAUL CARMICHAEL,
Newtownabbey,
Co Antrim.
Sir, – The Rev Brian Kennaway suggests that those elders and ministers who do not agree with all aspects of the Westminster Confession are free to leave the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Indeed they should not. They must stay and fight for a more tolerant church. The Bible can be interpreted in many ways. What cannot be misinterpreted are the words of Jesus, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” or “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. – Yours, etc,
JANICE PATTERSON,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.