In response to the letter from the National Secular Society, can we not pretend that deChristianising a nation is a value-neutral activity. It is not.

Much in the letter is sensible. Certainly the state-appointed bishops of the CofE do not represent those who pay their wages! The idea that special status, and legislation against 'discrimination' involves a scramble for privilege is indeed one that we have seen repeatedly.

But it is rather hard to argue that Christians are such a group! They are, on the contrary, one of the few who suffer consistent discrimination from the PC lobby.

Roger, Ipswich,

Of course the military must always be subordinate to politics in a democracy. But surely even a military man remains a citizen with the right to express his opinion publicly if he genuinely believes that the politicians have got it wrong. It might have saved the lives of British soldiers in Iraq.

alan, germany,

Aan in Germany is right. Atheism simply means a lack of belief, and is based on a lack of evidence.

If atheism is a faith, as Gert contends, then NOT collecting stamps is a hobby!

It is not encumbent on the atheist to 'disprove' god. It is encumbent on those who claim god does exist to provide proof that this is the case. Were this not so, Gert would be asking Alan to disprove something that he, Gert, cannot prove!

It's like Alan saying there are fairies at the bottom of his garden, and that they must exist because Gert can't prove they don't.

Alistair, Edinburgh, UK

All human beings have to be aware of the Bible passage in John's Gospel Chapter 3, Verse 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son , that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". Accordingly for those who do not believe and trust Jesus as their saviour, eternal separation from God in hell is what is awaiting them. I would not wish that on anyone. There is no such thing as atheism because God exists. The fact that people turn their backs on Him and live their lives without reference to him doesn't mean that He doesn't exist.

Jeff Ridley, Eastbourne, England

No Alan, I do not have an "atheistic'"position about Zeus and Thor. I have a belief about them; they are are mythological figures and other 'gods' are false gods just like the "gods' of naturalistic science, the reason, a super-consciousness,etc. "Atheism", in case you do not know, is the belief that God does not exist-but it's still a belief, conviction, assumption-you see!

It does not matter how hard you try to convince yourself Alan, you cannot empirically disprove the existence of God so you must base your ideas on an assumption, presupposition or belief! You therefore must have a "faith-system" based on your idea of an ultimate reality in order to explain your assumptions(faith).

The only real question is Alan: Does your faith(world view) provide a coherent way of living without borrowing values, morals, principles from the Christians? What in your "faith" prevents people from killing indiscriminately, having sex with animals and children, etc?

Gert Cornelissen, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

No, Gert, atheism is not based on faith. (Why do I have to keep explaining this?)
You, Gert, have, I assume, an "atheistic" position with regard to Zeus or Thor.
You just do not believe they exist. You have no belief in them. No faith is involved.
It's the same with me and that imaginary non-existent god. I'm godless. I lack any belief. No faith.
I wish people would stop trying to clobber me with a faith.

alan, germany,

It's my convition that faith is like a system of traffic light. Christianity has 2000 years and as morality system has roots in ancient philosophy too. Secularism is not neutral, is another system of lights. First question is not: who win but: what to do they can coexist.

Lech, Lublin, Poland

When will thinking people realise that atheism, secularism, etc. is as much based on "faith" as any religion? Secularism(and much of what passes as science today) is driven by naturalistic assumptions and axioms.
True Christianity(not religion per se or churchianity) is a spiritual view of the world based on a vital relationship with Jesus Christ, and this view of the world does not allow you to seperate your public and private life. As someone has said; " To the Christian all ground is holy ground and every bush is a burning bush!"

Secularists pushes the notion of "neutrality' in public life(education,etc), because this suits them as it helps them to propagate their philosophies(dogmatic ideas?) unhindered. Neutrality is a myth because, as already indicated; all world views are based on an assumption of an ultimate reality whether it be (fallible) reason, nature, the cosmos or God! The theistic view of God as the ultimate reality is the only 'liveable' world view.

Gert Cornelissen, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

"Keep your religion out of secular society. Follow it if you must but keep it in your church and in your private life."

The problem with this is that your faith life is also your secular life... there is no divide. To the christian privatization of faith is akin to its destruction. That's why Jesus said... be a light to the world; be like a city on a hill; do not hide your light away...

It is because of this public faith - Churches are feeding the poor in Zimbabwe, building orphanages in Uganda and reaching out to prostitutes on our streets and ARE trying to make a difference in your life, in millions of little ways by people you wouldn't expect.

As our society has abandoned its faith, even in the face of increasing wealth, we feel less connected; more: lost, confused, directionless and fearful.

We aren't trying to "hijack" society but wrestle it back from secularism. We see what its done and where it's taking us and fear for our country as a result.

Nathan, Gainsborough, UK

"The laws and tradition that guarantee your freedom of speech are part of your christian heritage"

No, Kevin, they are due to the Enlightenment, the reaction against superstition. Interesting that you should cliam freedom of speech as a Christian gift, when we still await the offical abolition of blasphemy law in 2008!

Alistair, Edinburgh, UK

Alistair - you're slightly premature - the UK is not officially a secular society. Currently we still live in a 'Kingdom' and the Queen's coronation speech was overtly christian in content.
The Church of England is established and intermixed with our government and legal system.
The laws and tradition that guarantee your freedom of speech are part of your christian heritage (even if that sticks in your jaw !)

Kevin Millican, Lowestoft, England

What religious rules is Tim of Spading being asked to follow? If he means moral rules, then maybe he's got a point, but then humans are always trying to impose moral rules on each other, be it over racism, or property rights, or drugs, or "homophobia", or almost anything else you could imagine.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Democracy requires that all views are listened to and if someone who has a faith happens to be in government those views of course will be heard and yes even acted upon through parliament, and at local level as well.

What are we going to ban the religious from standing for election just to serve the paranoia of the minority.

I personally believe all views should be listened too. It is interesting that many who marched against Blair were Christian . Alot of so-called religous people are hardly dogmatic, and Mr Blair (I'm no fan) only really got dogmatic about Iraq, the rest of the time he bended in the wind: going with what seemed popular.

Secular should alow plurality, indeed if we do that the relgious not keep out of society or even how it is governed. Neither should the Atheist. Society should not be the preserve of one over the other. Tim stand for election!

Steven, Buckhurst Hill,

Contrary to what Steven from Buckhurst Hill says, it is the religious who are trying to hijack secular society by asking others to accede to their dogmatic views and to follow their religious rules. Keep your religion out of secular society. Follow it if you must but keep it in your church and in your private life.

Tim, Spalding,

Mr Blair should work at grassroots, and not just be the 'big man' at the top dealing with the top. Thegenral sentiment of bringing faith communities to understand one another is correct.

I want a tolerant society, it is a shame that the secular has been hijacked by the atheist. He could work on gaining understanding with them as well!

Steven, Buckhurst Hill,