There is an obligation on those who are guided by reason to ensure that the hard won evidence of science is not eroded by ignorance.
The Bible tells us that we were created, fully formed in the Garden of Eden, with a talking snake in attendance. Darwin’s theory of Evolution has disproved the Biblical interpretation of our genesis and with a degree of simplicity that belies the intricacy of our evolution. Darwin’s theory proved somewhat awkward for religion as it exposed the Biblical story of creation for the merest of desert myths.
Intellectual discourse is meaningless with anyone who disputes Darwin’s findings.
I recently wrote a letter (June 4), the very essence of which was captured in the headline ‘Organised religion continues to be a source of corruption in the modern world’.
I backed this up with balanced observation taken from both sides of our divide with further analysis from the Christian fundamentalist state of Alabama.
You are of course entitled to draw your own conclusions from my letter but dismissing the theory of evolution hardly serves to give weight to any counter argument.
Thomas Hardy (June 11) in rejecting the theory (not that it was even mentioned in my original letter) displays a lack of erudition which staggers belief. Unable to conceal the vitriol which seems to underpin fundamentalist discourse he denies non believers the right to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the evolved world, this boon apparently only available to those who believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God.
But where Mr Hardy comes into his own is his pejorative comments on the disgraceful injustice being applied to the black community in Alabama. He claims that “sensible people” reject the death penalty and that “no words” can capture the horror of abortion.
I would argue that there are inadequate words to capture the moral cowardice of someone who fails to see that the law
makers in Alabama who approved the death penalty are also the very same people who approved the new draconian abortion laws. Blinded by his religious fervour Mr Hardy has failed to condemn the institutionalised bigotry which devalues the life of black people and their yet unborn progeny but which also directly ends their life, either by the unequal application of the iniquitous death penalty or by an unfair social system which promotes a higher infant mortality rate and lower life expectancy rate for blacks than whites.
Alabama is no aberration as these statistics are replicated in the four other “red neck” states dominated by Christian fundamentalists.
Mr Hardy hides behind the sanctimonious facade that all life is sacred but ignores the blatant reality that fundamentalist views promote bigotry which demeans not only fully formed sentient life but destroys the unborn of whom he claims to be a stout defender.
He has failed miserably or intentionally to grasp the centrality of my letter.
DANNY TREACY
Templepatrick, Co Antrim
Opportunity to stand together in call for changes to welfare reform
There is hardly a family who has not heard of Universal Credit or experienced or know of someone affected by welfare reform. We hear stories of cancer patients being put through cruel assessments and denied their welfare (PIP) benefits.
Families told they may have to move out of their family home if they can’t afford to pay bedroom tax.
Thousands of claimants being sanctioned and left penniless, many only finding out that their benefits have been stopped and sanctioned. The effects of welfare reform have left a community shaken and fearful of the future.
Today at noon at Belfast City Hall a campaign group The Right to Work Right to Welfare will stand with councillors and call for changes to be made to stop this ‘conscious cruelty’.
The group is led by sick, disabled and unemployed people who are asking for reasonable steps that the Department for Communities Permanent Secretary can take immediately on implementing a human rights checklist for social security decision makers. The human rights checklist now has the support of all 11 local councils, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and a range of welfare advice and community organisations.
Recently voters elected the only form of government we have. The councillors are standing by their support of the Belfast City Council stance on welfare reform.
Join us today.
PHILIP CAMPBELL
Belfast BT12
Down Royal is landmark worth protecting
My first visit to Down Royal for the Magners Ulster Derby last Saturday was a wonderful day out. Established in 1685 its setting in the gently rolling hills of Co Down draws comparison with courses such as Deauville in France and Perth in Scotland.
The large crowd, drawn from all corners of Ireland, thoroughly enjoyed themselves with little or no bother. The horses were the star attraction and the Derby itself was won by the Noel Meade-trained Dadoozdart a popular result for punters.
Down Royal has been the subject of speculation as to its future recently. It would be crying shame to see such a scenic location turned into yet another upmarket property development. You may not be a follower of the turf but Down Royal is a landmark that must be protected.
SEAN SHERIDAN
Omagh, Co Tyrone
'Walk a mile in my shoes’
The critical letters and articles by various people on the recently published book A Shared Home Place by Seamus Mallon made me think of the poem and song Walk a Mile in My Shoes and I would heartily recommend all those scribes to reflect on the life and experiences of this man who lived through some of our most difficult, dangerous and troubled years in this part of Ireland. His story is one of continued courage in the face of adversity from many quarters as he sought genuine reconciliation of our conflict using only peaceful means. As the song says “Before you abuse, criticise and accuse, then walk a mile in my shoes.”
He has walked too many times behind funerals of so many people both Catholic and Protestant throughout our troubled past and knows that nothing happens overnight in changing the life of Irish politics.
JOSEPH McGLEENAN
Granemore, Co Armagh
