Letters to the Editor
Christians and Humanists A. R. Lacey,
P. G. J. Pulzer
W. V. Copper Derek Verschoyle The Troubled Air A. D. C. Peterson Fluoridation Charles Dillon, Doris Davy Cold Feet in the Cold War Lord Hinchingbrooke Liberal Funds L. A. Jackson Education for Girls Rosalie Glynn Grylls Political Thinkers R. F. Betteridge Taste and Teeth H. C.
Successful Diplomacy 0. S. M. Jack
CHRISTIANS AND HUMANISTS SIR,—Your contributors last week seem to have overlooked two main reasons (doctrinal issues apart) why humanists reject religion :
I. The correlation between religion and the authoritarian personality. Liberal Christians may reply that it is superficial to make Christi- anity itself responsible for the behaviour of some Christians. Perhaps so; but on the prac- tical plane the constant association of religion with the advocacy of intolerant and 'get- tough' policies in justice, education, and foreign policy can hardly fail to act as a strong social motive for discouraging its spread. I do not of course mean that all Christians are authoritarians; but it would be near the truth to say that all authoritarians are Christians, just because in this country Christianity is the orthodox attitude. The menace of the authori- tarian personality is one of the humanists' chief concerns.
2. More theoretically important is the differ- ence in the basic value-outlooks of religion and humanism. Very briefly, the Christian sees good and evil in terms of the spiritual life and spiritual degradation, the humanist in terms of happiness and suffering. 1 think this is a very fundamental difference, which is frequently ignored. Despite the claims of ethical objec- tionists I cannot see that the gap can be bridged by any intellectual means; we can but put for- ward our own attitudes with persuasion and tolerance.—Yours faithfully, A. R. LACEY London, NW6
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