John Deighan writes that when same-sex marriage is introduced, those who disagree with it "could face punitive action in their workplace" (Letters, July 20).

Equality law requires workers to treat colleagues and customers without discrimination, for example on grounds of religion, race or sexual orientation. A worker may not withhold services from someone because they are Catholic, because they are English, or because they are gay, for example. That doesn't prevent a worker believing that Catholicism is fundamentally mistaken, that Scotland has been oppressed by England, or that same-sex marriage is wrong. Outwith the workplace they may, if they want, encourage people to change religion, or to oppose same-sex marriage. But in the workplace they simply have to treat all with fairness and respect.

Surely Mr Deighan is not suggesting that the Catholic Church wishes Catholic public sector staff who disagree with same-sex marriage to withhold public services from people because they are gay or are in a same-sex marriage? How would that be different from those who disagree with Catholicism withholding public services from Catholics? Both would be equally wrong.

Tim Hopkins,

Equality Network,

30 Bernard Street, Edinburgh.

I congratulate The Herald for continuing to give space to both sides of the argument on same-sex marriage. The intellectual contortions evident in each contribution from John Deighan, parliamentary officer for the Catholic Church, really brighten up my day.

Reading his latest missive, one would be forgiven for thinking that the greater problem in society is not that homosexual couples are discriminated against but rather, if they weren't, Catholics who think they ought to be, would be forced in some incidental way to confront this uncomfortable reality (Letters, July 20).

There are many uncomfortable realities in life. I am not as handsome or rich as I'd like to be, and no longer as young as I once was. None of these facts constitutes oppression of my right to believe – despite the contrary evidence – that I am wealthier, fairer or younger than, in point of fact, I am. Whereas 400 years ago the uncomfortable reality of the solar system led to Galileo's torture and house arrest, Catholics have found it within themselves to deal with the reality that the earth orbits the sun, and surely we can all agree that we are better off as a result.

In the long and proud history of human rights, freedom of belief was never intended to authorise the oppression of some in society because some others hold a belief that such oppression is morally or theologically justified.

If marriage is available to all on equal terms then most Catholics will simply carry on with their lives without being directly affected by it at all, and any discomfort they may feel will be vastly outweighed by the rights enjoyed and happiness shared by others with whom we all, even Catholics, co-exist.

Derek Young,

14/9 Sandport,

Edinburgh.