20 APRIL 2002, Page 31

Material motives

From Mr Michael Pfauth Sir: Jasper Griffin's article (The jealousy of God', 13 April) is very interesting and informative, but he omitted some vital facts.

What point of religious doctrine are the Catholics and Protestants in Ireland fighting over? Are the Israelis trying forcibly to convert Palestinians to Judaism? Did the Orthodox Christians in Kosovo try to force the Muslims to renounce Allah and believe in Christ?

Mr Griffin makes the common mistake of noting that, because the combatants can be identified by religion, their strife must therefore be 'about religion'.

In fact, these wars are between rival cultures contending for land, power, etc. — the usual sad story all too common in history.

Michael Pfauth

mpfauth@hiwaay.net