Mary Whitehouse had no need to see The Romans In Britain (Letters, December 4) because it was well publicised for the sexual content of some of its scenes.

The National Theatre's chaplain, the Reverend Eric Mathieson, was almost bound to say Mrs Whitehouse did not represent the thoughtful Christian opinion in this country.

As a theatregoer for more than 35 years, I have seen much near-pornography paraded in the name of art.

I saw the original production of Hair more than 30 years ago, in which actors stripped completely at the end of the show.

Even in subdued lighting, the human body prancing about unclothed is not always a pretty sight. But we laughed - it was innocent fun and not at all pornographic.

Mrs Whitehouse was a brave lady who had the courage to speak out on things she found offensive.

In her heyday, she had thousands of followers. In many ways, she was a visionary.

The UK now has the highest rate of unmarried mothers in Europe ("brides of the state") and, despite years of sex education in schools, a soaring increase in sexually transmitted diseases.

Mrs Whitehouse once said standards sink below a certain level in the media.

TV being in most homes in the land, those "anything goes" programmes are soon considered acceptable.

She was always concerned about children and the family unit, being a former schoolteacher herself.

Mrs Whitehouse thought and had the courage to speak out. If that's not being a free-thinker, I don't know what is - even if you didn't always agree with everything she said.

I say three cheers for Mary Whitehouse and people who care about what is happening in our society today.

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