Clik here to view.
In suggesting that some people need to "grow up" before talking about the persecution of Christians in the UK or US (Report, 16 August), I had in mind those who offer what I think unduly sensationalised accounts of the situation – and, to a lesser extent, those in the public eye who have to put up with a certain amount of routine attack. I realise in retrospect how offensive the words might sound to those who suffer bullying for their convictions or whose faith presents them with real and painful dilemmas in their professional lives. I want to make it clear that I'd regard urging such people to "grow up" as insulting and insensitive to a degree, and apologise for giving any impression to that effect.
Rowan Williams
Magdalene College, Cambridge
• I abhor the boorish positivism and the facile ethical/political limitations of Dawkins-type secularism. I acknowledge that secularists like myself can benefit from a bit of theological literacy and a nuanced awareness of the complexities of cultural history. But just at the moment secularism articulates some blindingly obvious truths about the injustices perpetuated by Christianity and most other dominant faiths in matters of sexuality and the related ordering of interpersonal and social relationships. Those faiths overwhelmingly collude with and provide a metaphysical underpinning for the growing persecution of gay people. Those faiths deny and undermine the reasonable aspirations of the increasing numbers of decent people who seek to move away from the manifest inequalities, injustices and dishonesties perpetuated by the faith traditions and create a greater sense of integrity and honest community in the ways they live their lives and relationships.
Secularism may well share all sorts of post-Enlightenment flaws and weaknesses. But in this area it is the only voice of authentic prophecy crying in the wilderness, and it behoves the Christian and other faiths to open their ears to that voice and acknowledge the errors and injustices of their ways.
Julian Batsleer
Manchester
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
