Sir: I am a Free Church minister, entertaining perhaps some
of the 'poisonous enthusiasms' from which Simon Raven believes the Church of England to be free: it is 'a quiet and decent superstition.' Anglicans do not need me to come to their rescue; but I wonder precisely what 'A letter to my son' was supposed to achieve or what could have been your reason for publish- ing it?
The Christian (or any other) religion is nowadays
snidely rejected; but many of those who are atheist or agnostic are keen advocates of morality. I can understand a father telling his son not to believe in religion; what bewilders and angers me is that he should advocate moral cynicism. To sneer at religion, to make light of gambling, to wish the fifteen-year-old the best of luck in the hay- loft and, indeed, virtually advise him to go there —what sort of fatherhood is this? Humanism (scientific or otherwise) l respect; flippant im- morality enrages me. Does Mr Raven not know the use of millstones? Ought not those who cause oungsters to stumble to fear that they may de- erve casting into the sea?
John Huxtable Minister Secretary, The Congregational Church in England and Wales 'Langley.' 10 Gerard Road, Harrow
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