I read Joshua Rozenberg’s 30 August article ‘In good faith’ with interest. The issue of whose rights prevail in the case of conflict is complex. I disagree with his viewpoint though.

I struggle to see how a paid public servant should be permitted not to perform a function of their job based on religious beliefs. What would have happened, for example, if over time, there were too many people in the council’s department like Lillian Ladele? Should someone’s religious ‘rights’ be available only where there are sufficient people without such views to carry out the tasks that those with ‘faith’ choose not to do? That cannot be correct.

The argument that people should have a religious right to practise prejudice is unacceptable in a civilised society.

Simon Williams, Boodle Hatfield, London SW