IN response to Gillian Parsons’ challenge to me apropos the Bible, I would just say it was accomplished by me 70-80 years ago.

I would alternatively challenge her to read the history of religion and Christianity, a good starting point being The Masks of Christ by Lynn Picket and Clive Prince. She will discover that the gospels are in the main a repetition of each other, most likely written by one man, probably St Paul, 40 years after the demise of those they are attributed to and in a number of instances contradictory of each other.

As far as God speaking is concerned, there is no confirmatory proof existing at all that he ever uttered a word. All words attributed to him were written by man.

The only positive thing that can be said about religion is that, in the last few days, at last through the mouths of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, they have condemned the profligate greed and unfairness of the capitalist system. Which must have taken some heart searching, seeing that they in general, and St Paul’s in particular, get huge financial support from the financial and banking sectors. St Paul’s even organises dinners in the crypt for surrounding financial institutions. But at least, by speaking out, they may gain a little credence in an evermore secular society.

D R SMITH, Bitterne, Southampton.