Believers and others
Sir: Martin Sullivan's article on comparative religion (July 19) discusses the Problem of the relationship of Christianity with other religious denominations, but evades the more serious problem of the relationship of Christian and other religious denominations with non-religious systems of thought. He declares that "dogmatic assertions are forms of short cut, and they land us all in cul-de-sacs" (culs-de-sac?), but aPParently means only some assertions, for he then describes the alternative to religious belief simply as "brutal materialism. He invokes the need for a willingness to enter into true dialogue with those who differ from us", but apparently means only some of them, for he then insists that "the enemy they face aims to destroy them all, and he begins by placing his fifth column in their midst". Surely a proper study of comparative religion must compare the various religions not only With each other but also with non-religious ideologies, and surely a true dialogue must genuinely follow the argument wherever it leads.
Nicolas Walter Rationalist Press Association, 88 Islington High Street, London Ni
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