For governments to sanction hangings, beheadings, the cutting off of hands and feet, and other such draconian punishments is relatively alien to most people in the western world.

Our own government has been celebrated recently as a shining example of how communities can be reconciled and move forward together.

Certain elements of the Assembly have been rubbing shoulders with celebrities and world-leaders with smiles, handshakes and congratulatory pats on the back all round.

A few elected representatives have a smugness to them which suggests that, underneath their lovely shirt and tie combos, they may very well have t-shirts printed with the haughty slogan: "Aren't we just great? Ah, but we are, aren't we!"

Iris Robinson's homophobic outburst on a radio show last Friday has caused a storm of protest, support, and media coverage during the week and caused us to re-examine the roles our elected representatives are supposed to play.

Robinson expressed her views during a discussion on an unprovoked attack on a gay man. Initially, Robinson condemned the attack but then proceeded to say that homosexuality was "disgusting, loathsome, shamefully wicked and vile", and suggested that gay people should seek psychiatric help.

On Monday, she went a step further and compared gay people to murderers: "Just as a murderer can be redeemed by the blood of Christ, so too can a homosexual".

She took the 'fun' out of fundamentalism when she described gays as an "abomination" and claimed they could be "turned" through psychiatric counselling.

Needless to say, the Royal Society of Psychiatrists released a statement pointing out that being gay wasn't - surprise, surprise - a psychiatric disorder.

Iris Robinson would do well to remember the wise, timeless words of Spiderman's uncle Ben: "With great power comes great responsibility".

It's fine to hold strong religious beliefs but she must remember that as an elected MLA it is her duty to promote equality for all.

Robinson hid behind her religion as a way of defending her outburst, citing the Old Testament as a reference.

It's an open secret - to anyone who has actually bothered to read bits of the Old Testament - that a number of its teachings are outdated in today's world.

Leviticus says that homosexuality is an 'abomination', but so is eating "unclean" meats including shellfish and pork (Leviticus 10:10). Who said it was suddenly fine to eat bacon and prawns, but still not fine to be gay?

Religion shouldn't be used as a weapon to attack minorities. Unfortunately, comments like Robinson's give bigoted, mindless thugs carte blanche to beat up whoever they choose - and then fall back on the word of God as a defence.

A politician's personal beliefs must not impose on and, indeed, endanger people with different views.

Afraid

Stephen Scott, the man who was beaten up, said: "I've had to leave my home because I'm afraid of people's reactions.