We need religion

The forgiveness by the members of Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston extended to Dylann Roof after his alleged murder of nine of their family members and friends at a prayer meeting offers a universally applicable Christ-like example to the world today.

Our near Christianity-free culture is far from being the epitome of the good society. Valueless self-affirmation is its norm. Disintegration of family life, crudeness of expression and in behaviour and substitute addictions and idolatries accompany the false narrative that young people are having a wonderful time.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among 15–34-year-olds in Scotland; 795 such suicides were registered in 2013. That is more than two every day.

Political micro-management of individual life is increasing as a consequence of lack of collective voluntary spiritual aspiration. Christianity offers human beings inner personal cohesion and the most generous possibilities for warmth, humanity, love and grace. In this country Christians are strategically marginalised as secularism’s cold hand wields growing influence.

The Scottish Government does not affirm Christianity in the national interest.

(Rev Dr) Robert  Anderson

Blackburn & Seafield Church

Blackburn

Neil Barber insults the Rev Laurence Twaddle, calling him “arrogant” for stating Christianity’s role in shaping Scotland.

The Secular Society claims school assemblies are discriminatory, whereas my experience is the opposite; young family members regularly tell me of education about other religions and cultures taught alongside pupils of many faiths or none – as in my own state school education in Edinburgh.

The Secular Society seem intolerant of beliefs that differ from theirs. Now that’s arrogance, I’d say.

B McGuire

North Berwick

Surely the answer to the question of religion in schools should be to equip children with clear, unbiased information about all faiths, and to allow them to make up their own minds.

Those who have no faith should avoid mocking those who do, and those who do should avoid dismissing the views of those of other religions and none.

This can only happen when we understand each other.

Martin Johnson

Bankhead Drive

Edinburgh