LETTER: Heaven is a place on earth

From Dr Richard Ladle

Sir: Contrary to the views of the Church of England's doctrine commission ("Church elders pour cold water on hellfire and damnation", 11 January) many people, as yet uninfected by Christianity, look forward to the "annihilation" at the end of a busy life and would consider eternal existence (discorporated or not) as purgatorial.

The commissioners' opinions seem nothing more than whistling in the dark while the monster of modern science breathes heavily in the corner of the room.

Yours (un)faithfully,

Richard J. Ladle

London, N1

11 January