Letter: Pope's visit an overall success

EVEN as a Presbyterian, I have to admit that the Pope's visit has been a success. Those who believe in him will undoubtedly have been uplifted by the experience.

For the rest of us, there were at least two outstanding pieces of humour to admire. Who would have thought that Annabel Goldie would outshine the Pope in the manner she did, and surely we will see her tartan knickers at some point between now and next May?

The other instance was more subtle. A placard on the protesters' march photographed (News, 19 September) reads, in the best Monty Python Life Of Brian tradition: "He is not the Messiah, He's a very naughty boy!" Seldom have I seen a serious point being articulated in such a humorous and memorable manner. Who says we shouldn't make fun out of religion occasionally?

Victor Clements, Aberfeldy

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THE warm and generous welcome the Scottish people afforded Pope Benedict XVI last week showed the depth of religious belief that still exists in our society. The challenge the Holy Father laid down is to take seriously the impact of faith on our society. This nation has been formed by the Judeo-Christian ethic that each person is sui generis invested with dignity as being made in the image and likeness of God. This right to life exists from the moment of conception to natural death. Neither the state nor any individual has the right to terminate the life of another person.

The right and duty of the Christian believer to argue this case in the public square is the challenge Pope Benedict has left to us. The notion that religious believers are to be ignored or bullied into silence by secular bullies like Dawkins, Tatchell et al is a challenge that cannot be baulked. The future of our fellow Scots depends on the defeat of the culture of death.

Andrew Gray, Edinburgh