Sir, - I am a rugby fan. I love to watch rugby. Indeed, I sat in my armchair and cheered for England on Saturday and then I found myself supporting Ireland in its game against the US. Rugby is great, but as a Christian minister I was appalled at some aspects of the game at Ravenhill between Australia and Romania.
It was wrong to arrange this match on a Sunday. I say this not because of a Sabbatarian theology, though I do believe that Christians should keep the Lord's Day special, but because by allowing this game to go ahead the organisers infringed on the religious liberty of many people. Two churches adjoin the Ravenhill ground with another just a few yards up the road; their evening services were disrupted and it was highly offensive to many church members that the Lord's Day should be profaned by the blaring pop music, hot-dog stands and beer advertising on their doorsteps. Some would-be spectators took liberties by climbing into church property to have a free view of the game.
Why did this game have to be played on the Lord's Day? Why a 7 p.m. kick-off? Why are advertisers being allowed to abuse church property and corrupt children with their filthy slogans? - Yours, etc.,
Rev R. Pulman, Evangelical Protestant Society, Ardenlee Avenue, Belfast 6.