Religious irony

as A Christian, it would sadden me to see someone maliciously burn a copy of the Holy Bible or deface the image of Jesus Christ, but it would never occur to me to be driven to violence over these actions. On the contrary, I am more likely to feel pity for the persons who felt that they had to express themselves in this way. You can destroy a book or a picture, but not a belief.

The reaction in Middle Eastern and African Muslim countries to the film Innocence of Muslims by an American film-maker Your reports, which shows violence against Coptic Christians in Muslim countries and is less than respectful to the Prophet Muhammad therefore puzzles me, as it contradicts the view that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance.

The widespread rioting and the murder of the US ambassador to Libya and two members of 
his staff, along with the announcement, by a Pakistani government minister, of a $100,000 (£62,000) bounty for the death of the film-maker would ironically seem in itself to justify the production of this film.

Walter J Allan

Colinton Mains Drive

Edinburgh