Holy mistaken
From Mr John Pearce Sir: Equating the understanding of reasons for terrorism with finding excuses for the appalling deeds of terrorists is a primitive mistake, which invalidates most of Peter Mullen's argument ('Holy fools', 10 November). The chestnut about the Good Samaritan and the social worker also carries an implication which he missed. Surely both the perpetrators and the victims of crime need help, but of different kinds? The help needed by perpetrators should begin by teaching them to distinguish right from wrong, a task in which Peter Mullen's Church seems to have failed. If the West destroys the Taleban without first troubling to find out why they did what they did and then using that knowledge creatively, it will have only itself to thank when the next generation of terrorists sets about its work.
As for bishops making fat-headed pronouncements on matters of public concern, is that not the modern equivalent of blessing a battleship? Both of these acts are pointless, unseemly and best unreported. John Pearce
Monkseaton, Tyne and Wear
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