Response to [CLICK HERE to read or add to Kennington News]

The Times

May 18, 2002

Fanaticism and Christian faith

From the Reverend Hywel Roberts

Sir, Joan Smith (T2, May 15) wishes to have a debate on the role of religion in the modern world. She is frightened not just by the militant followers of Islam but also by 40 million American Christians, many of whom believe in the literal truth of the Bible.

One needs to define what one means by “literal truth”, because it is possible to believe in the divine inspiration of Holy Scripture without viewing the events of September 11 as the first stage in the battle of Armageddon.

There is a real difference between fundamentalism and fanaticism, and one does not necessarily lead to the other. To adhere to the fundamentals of the faith is perfectly laudable, even in a multifaith society. But fanaticism is to be abhorred.

Yours faithfully, HYWEL ROBERTS, 3 Castle Road, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 2AX. May 16.

From the Executive Director of the Evangelical Alliance

Sir, Joan Smith was spot on when she suggested that the antics of some Christian conservatives in the US are as disturbing as militant expressions of Islam, Judaism and Hinduism, for example.

However, she claims “equality, democracy and freedom of expression” as secular values. The Evangelical Alliance, which represents over a million mainstream Christians from every major denomination, would argue that these are fundamentally Christian values that modern secular institutions, particularly in Britain, have come to accommodate.

Further, traditional beliefs and practices of the Christian Church are now under such serious, sustained threat from the more politically correct that I would turn her final question on its head: are those with mild faith or no belief at all prepared to live harmoniously alongside those with strongly held religious views?

Yours etc, COLIN SAUNDERS, Executive Director, Evangelical Alliance, 186 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4BT. info@eauk.org May 15.

From Mr Jack Carter

Sir, Joan Smith says: “There are good reasons for being phobic about all religions in their militant phase . . . ” She specifically mentions Christianity as well as Islam and Hinduism.

To me this seems to imply that their threats are comparable. She acknowledges the intolerance of radical Muslims and Hindus.

I know of no recent evidence of Christian fundamentalists acting as suicide hijackers, or carrying out amputations or stoning adulterers. Instead of being urged by their faith to kill infidels, fundamentalist Christians try to follow Christ’s command to turn the other cheek. Much more than a subtle difference.

Yours faithfully, JACK CARTER, 216 High Street, Burbage, Wiltshire SN8 3AR. illston@onetel.net.uk May 16.

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