LETTER : Christianity, the great divider

From Mr Nicolas Walter

Sir: Monica Furlong's general indictment of religion, because it seems to make everything worse by dividing people (Faith & Reason, 5 August), allows an exception for some religious leaders, particularly Jesus, who "manage to make the great creative leap of standing in the shoes of people Not Like Them". But, according to the Gospels, Jesus himself said that he brought not peace but division and a sword and that those who did not believe in him would be damned. He divided people into good sheep and bad goats, with life eternal for the former and everlasting punishment for the latter. Religion doesn't make everything worse, but Christianity is hardly an exception to the rule she suggests.

Yours sincerely,

Nicolas Walter

Rationalist Press Association

London, N1

6 August