REGARDING a statement in your article, "We don't teach kids to be gay" (Echo, May 10), by Dr Elizabeth Atkinson, director of the No Outsiders project, which uses books in primary schools to help combat homophobic bullying.

It is a distortion of the Christian position to say that "Christian groups wouldn't like it because they don't like homosexuals".

It is homosexual practice - ie, homoerotic sexual practice - that we are averse to; as indeed to adultery or any other kind of free sexual activity outside of marriage.

The fact that we are averse to such practices does not mean that we "don't like homosexuals", or are homophobic because we disagree with them.

Our stance is based on the Christian Scriptures that declare all the above mentioned practices as sins, among many other practices and attitudes. This includes all of us under the definition of sinners.

The good news is that our Saviour Jesus Christ atoned for them all on the Cross and offers forgiveness and cleansing for all who will acknowledge their need, and Christians claim to have availed themselves of this love offer.

How can we who have received such mercy not love other sinners, whatever their sins may be.

R Ken Evans (Rev), Darlington.

I WISH to disagree with the tone of the article, "We don't teach kids to be gay" (Echo, May 10), that many Christians are opposed to a greater understanding of homosexuality.

The whole idea of the No Outsiders project as featured in that article is entirely consistent with the Christian gospel, in that no one is outside the love of God, because we are all accepted as we are, irrespective of our sexuality.

I applaud the project. Please don't think that all Christians are narrowminded homophobes.

Dave Appleby, Middlesbrough.