RALPH MUSGRAVE’S statement that “violence is part and parcel of religion” is unjustified (HAS, Jan 22). There is no evidence that religious people are more inclined to violence than nonreligious people.

Has he forgotten the atrocities committed by Stalin and Pol Pot?

There are people of all faiths who campaign for peace and reconciliation, and against racism and religious intolerance.

His claim that “a third of UK Muslim students think it is acceptable to kill in the name of religion” is misleading. Asked if this was ever justifiable, 53 per cent said “never”, 28 per cent said “yes, but only if that religion was under attack”, and just four per cent said “yes, in order to preserve and promote that religion”.

How many people of other faiths would give similar answers if we substitute “country” or “way of life” for “religion”?

Consider a survey of US citizens which found that only 46 per cent thought that “bombing and other attacks intentionally aimed at civilians” were “never justified” while 24 per cent thought they were “often or sometimes justified”.

Deliberately targeting civilians is terrorism. Does this show that half of Americans are terrorists?

No, but it does show we have to be careful how we interpret statistics.

Pete Winstanley, Durham.