29/08/03

Northern Ireland is the classic example of religious bigotry proving disastrous for the population as a whole. Religion has provided a platform for rabble-rousers who, professing Christianity, act as disciples of the Devil.

During the 16th century, Catholics and Protestants took turns to persecute one another. William Shakespeare came from a well-known Catholic family and was always looking over his shoulder for Elizabeth I's spies. Isn't it a blessing they found no real reason to dispatch him to an early grave?

I am sure the majority of Christians have taken notice of the Scripture which states: "In my Father's House there are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you."

Any group claiming to be the 'true religion' is living in cloud cuckoo land. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.

THE argument about whether children attending Vardy Foundation schools in Gateshead and Middlesbrough are being brainwashed (Echo, Aug 18) by being taught about creation is very one-sided.

The question could equally be asked of schools that teach only Darwin's theory of evolution.

Surely if only one side of the argument is taught, whichever side that is, the teaching is unbalanced. Whether or not it amounts to brainwashing is a matter of opinion. Emmanuel College says it does teach both creation and evolution.

Darwin's theory (dictionary definition of theory: "supposition explaining something, speculative view") tells us that humans are merely super apes, therefore animals, which leads to the conclusion that when life ends that is it. Nothing more. Finished.

Creation tells us that God thought out, created and continues to sustain the entire universe, especially this planet, for the benefit of human beings. That humans are specially created in God's image to live here for a life span as a time of learning, a spiritual apprenticeship.

We have a choice of what happens when the physical life is over. We can indeed choose to end, to finish, like animals, or we can choose to become children of God for eternity.

Surely it is only sensible and fair for children and adults too to be taught of the choice we have so they can make a considered decision concerning this world and their life both now and in the future. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

ALED Jones, as I have noticed on several occasions, is in the habit of making sweeping statements without bothering to provide a scrap of evidence for them.

I now invite him, therefore, to provide evidence for his latest claim (HAS, Aug 20) that "most rational people will agree that God does not exist". Why does he believe that most rational people think that way? - T Kelly, Crook.

POLITICS

I FORECAST many years ago that Tony Blair would be remembered for being the man who took the great out of Britain. He has done, and still is doing, untold damage to our once great country and our people.

Apart from police, law and order, NHS, education, postal services, transport rail and road, there are now all the asylum seekers and illegal immigrants who are going to be housed, fed and paid to live in camps set up by John Prescott, against the nation's wishes and to the detriment of our own people. We are now playing second fiddle to these people who are being allowed into our country in their thousands by Mr Blair who is following his multi-racial dream, aided by Home Secretary David Blunkett, who has not got a clue how to get rid of them.

I would like to see a cartoon of Mr Blair with a bowler hat and Mr Prescott with a black moustache - they are the Laurel and Hardy of politics. - FW Wealands, Darlington.

BODY ARMOUR

AS an ex-serviceman, your report "Body armour plans under fire" (Echo, Aug 21) concerning Durham police prompts me to suggest a simple alternative to a heavy protective vest.

During the Second World War, the American soldier was issued with a small steel polished hand mirror. It was compulsory to carry this in the left shirt pocket to protect the heart.

This practice stemmed from the First World War when it was discovered that not only did a metal cigarette case deflect a rifle bullet but it also, being in a strategic position, diverted a stab attack.

Surely a practical item of this value is a small price to protect our protectors? - S Rylatt, Middlesbrough.

PRICES

IT IS high time price controls were introduced in food shops. Shopkeepers are charging whatever price comes into their heads and getting away with it. No wonder working people cannot manage to make ends meet.

I called in a shop near Bishop Auckland and was charged 11p more on one litre of milk and there was overcharging on other goods.

If these high prices continue, it is time we had a supermarket in the area. - NM Peart, West Auckland.

ANIMAL WELFARE

A PARLIAMENTARY Motion, EDM 1307, initiated by Animal Aid and calling for a total ban on monkey experiments, has attracted support from 97 MPs just five weeks after being tabled. May I ask concerned readers to write to their MPs to confirm that they too have signed. Would they also ask their MPs to sign EDM 823 tabled by Tony Banks about saving ruddy ducks. Many thanks. - Name supplied, Co Durham.