RELIGIOUS violence has swept through Africa and re-emerged in Northern Ireland.

Here’s how this appears to an atheist.

Strolling to church on Sunday you pass neighbour Paul, who is digging his front garden, helped by his wife and children.

He says they dig to find a diamond the size and exact shape of a fridge.

You doubt the existence of such things, but Paul has an ancient text saying otherwise.

Every Sunday the family dig and you try to persuade them of their foolishness. Paul protests they are doing no harm, it is healthy, family exercise and although you may not share their beliefs, you should at least acknowledge the benefits.

Paul proselytises and the diamond digs become international.

Then different groups disagree about the fridges.

Do they have a freezer, a drinks unit or a salad drawer? Are they white or silver?

Soon learned books develop rival fridge theologies.

Then violence breaks out between white and silver fridge groups.

Over many years, people die and the manifest decency of most fridge believers acts as a shade under which evil and terror luxuriate.

If you are of faith and regard this tale as ridiculous and tragic, please understand that it is an atheist’s view of religion.

Rob Meggs, Hartlepool.