Religious mores

RICHARD Lucas (Letters , 29 January) identifies the fundamental values of Christianity as "compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, forgiveness, mercy, justice" and every other positive value he can think of, thereby doing what people so often do: cherry-picking the most touchy-feely aspects of their chosen creed and ignoring the nasty bits.

However, he does admit "force can be required to protect or free the vulnerable". There is a perfect illustration of what he means in your report the same day on the born-again American Christian who murdered an abortion-clinic doctor to demonstrate his belief in the sanctity of human life.

HARRY D WATSON

Braehead Grove

Edinburgh