RALPH MUSGRAVE (HAS, Oct 7) rightly points out the corrosive and violent effect that religion has on the fabric of society, particularly in those countries where religious fundamentalism flourishes.
Seneca the Younger, the Roman stoic philosopher 4BC–AD65 stated with admirable foresight and perception: “Religion is seen by the common people as true, by the wise as untrue and by the rulers as useful.”
The continued senseless acts of violence perpetrated around the world in the name of religion lead those of us of a rational disposition to despair, but even the most horrific acts of barbarism give hope through individual acts of bravery and innate human kindness.
One significant step we could take in combating religious extremism in this country is to curtail state funding for religious schools.
J Connor, Bishop Auckland.
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