Sir, Your report “Church decides that Lent really should be more of a laugh ” (Feb 20) comes as little surprise to many of us, once enthusiastic and faithful members of the CofE.

The more the Church apes the ways of the world the more it will fail. Of course, Christians should be happy and balanced people who know how to respond to wholesome humour, but Ash Wednesday — “worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness” — surely indicates the right attitude, as we move towards Palm Sunday and Good Friday.

Jesus Christ requires of His followers that they also “take up their cross and follow Him”. In his book Practical Religion William Wilberforce wrote in praise of “serious religion”. As for the suggestion that we need more lighthearted, comfortable Christianity, another great evangelical leader, Bishop J. C. Ryle, reminded us that “a religion which costs nothing is worth nothing”.

THE RIGHT REV J. BARRY SHUCKSMITH
Portsmouth

Sir, To speak of the present action of the Anglican Communion as a fudge to avoid schism (leading article, Feb 19 ) is to misunderstand a basic instinct of the Church of England, inherited by the Anglican Communion, to seek consensus if it can be achieved and tolerance if it cannot.

This instinct is a reaction to the horrific events of the 17th century when the religious disputes of the civil war caused such suffering and hatred that the country was more than 100 years recovering; and when, in the deprivation of the NonJurors later in the century, the Church lost some of its finest thinkers and leaders.

The revulsion at these events formed a deep resolve never again to look to their physical weapons and fight on matters of order and discipline. This view was not the result of any formal decision but a deep-seated resolve at all levels of the Church. So strong was this instinct that in the 19th century it was extended to cover variant interpretations of Scripture and the doctrinal disputes arising from them.

This instinct is not an avoidance of reality, but recognition that an opponent is not a demon to be destroyed, but a fellow Christian to be argued with.

To meet, to talk, to set up inquiries, to meet again and again to seek consensus and in the meantime to be tolerant of others’ views and behaviour is the true instinct of the Church of England, which has enabled a large Christian community to live together over a fairly long period despite different emphases, styles of worship and lifestyle choices.

It is of no value to make comparisons with secular decision-making, or to demand sharp lines with winners and losers; how Christians should respond to any issue is bound to evoke differing initial responses, but the truth cannot be discovered by splits, expulsions and violence, verbal or physical. The only means by which the way forward will be discerned is for brothers and sisters to meet together for prayer, Bible study and godly conversation, trusting in the Holy Spirit, and that is exactly what the Anglican Communion is doing.

This is not a fudge or an example of moral cowardice; it is a hard, long and painful process which will eventually succeed.

R.A. MASON
Melton Mowbray

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