A chara, - Angela MacNamara (November 15th), preaches that there is a plan which controls everything in the universe and that God is in control of God's world. This is supposed to gently address people's fears about the worst case scenario (presumably nuclear or chemical attacks). Enough is enough.
Let's face up to the fact that we don't know how the universe came about or who created it. The overwhelming evidence suggests that if a sentient being was responsible, it has either forgotten about us, has died or enjoys watching millions of us die of famine, disease and war. There is no "reason for everything". Dreaming up or perpetuating myths about a God which cares for us and which could intervene in our affairs is arrogant and dangerous.
She asks us to "decode the message of the present". Most people wouldn't pass a distressed dog without helping but God allows millions of us to suffer and gives us clues? Adult human beings should know better than this.
I'm optimistic about humanity. Altruism and morality exist in us all, but we need to recognise that religion is a dangerous drug which kills in the wrong hands. Finally growing up about religion should be part of any response to the terrorist attacks. - Is mise,
Shane Fahy, Balham, London.