19 APRIL 2003, Page 31

Luther's last stand

From Mr Dana Baden Sir: In his excellent article, Roger Scruton (`The Islamification of our law', 12 April) quotes Martin Luther saying, 'Here I stand; I can do no other' as an example of 'refusing to engage with your opponent'. Rather, it was the opponent who refused to engage with Luther. When he said these words, Luther was up on charges of heresy, and had been ordered to recant his writings. In response, Luther demanded that the Church convince him he was wrong through Scripture, which they could not do. Denied a proper debate, on the edge of excommunication, with his back against the wall. Luther had no option but to stand by what he believed was the proper interpretation of Scripture.

Dana Roden Omaha, Nebraska, USA