beliefs or belief, etc

[thedaffodils]

All this week, MPs have been exercising their right to vote with their consciences over late-term abortion, artificial insemination for lesbians and Half Man Half Biscuit embryo research.

Meanwhile, a couple of miles down the road from Westminster, a registrar has been fighting for her right not to act against her own religious beliefs.

While parliamentarians were allowed a free vote on contentious issues, Lillian Ladele was taking Islington Council to court for religious discrimination.

As a registrar and a devout Christian, 47-year-old Miss Ladele objects to being forced to carry out civil partnerships for gay couples.

Hi!

Q1: What does the following sentence mean?

a couple of miles down the road from Westminster= ? =>a couple went down miles the road from Westminster?

Q2: her own religious beliefs<---Why did the author use plural form for " belief" here? I think a person usually has one religious belief at best.


Thank you!

[Neillythere]

Hi there, thedaffodils

As usual, as a Brit and mentor, but not a teacher:

"Westminster" is the area of London that includes the 2 Houses of the UK Parliament, i.e. the seat of the UK's Government.

"Religious beliefs" - would it help if you read it as "Religious principles", where "principles" would similarly be used in the plural.

Hope this helps.
Regards
NT

PS Sorry, I missed the point about the word "couple"

[Barb_D]

1. A FEW miles away. A couple miles away. A couple miles down the road.

2. I'm willing to bet you have many beliefs that are based on your religion.

Here's a bit of something called the Apostles' Creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; ...
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

That's several beliefs in one statement. You may also believe that homosexuality is a sin or you may believe that God makes only that which is right and good.

[thedaffodils]

I got it. Thank you, sirs!

1. I didn't why I stuck " couple" to " two persons" rather than "a few" previously;

2. I mixed "religion" and "belief".