FREEDOM of religious expression is a cornerstone of a liberal and civilised society, as is equality.
When equality for one person erodes the religious freedom of another, clear moral thinking is required.
A referendum is not the best way to achieve that but in calling for a public vote on the legalisation of same-sex marriage (which attracted three times the number of submissions to the consultation as that on the independence referendum), Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic, has crystallised the dilemma facing Alex Salmond and his cabinet ministers on the issue.
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