Letter: Christianity levels

Alan Reid (Letters, 31 December) was correct to remind us that about 65 per cent of Scots describe themselves as Christian. However, this far exceeds church-going statistics.

By The Newsroom

Published 31st Dec 2010, 16:02 BST

Updated 31st Dec 2010, 19:44 BST

While "Christian" self-description expresses warmth towards the faith, it may indicate nothing more than a hereditary afterglow of the faith of previous generations, or a nominal traditionalism ("I've sung a few hymns in my time").

Committed followers of Jesus Christ comprise a small, but growing, percentage of society. Nominal Christians are a huge, but declining, section of society.

Richard Lucas

Broomyknowe

Edinburgh