A chara, – Declan Kelly (Letters, April 11th) calls for "all remarks that give offence to human beings" to be removed from the Bible.
As people seem to be driven to towering heights of indignation by pretty much anything these days, with some even being mightily offended by any reference to the divine, his work would be likely to remain incomplete until the Good Book was reduced to a set of elegant covers with a single blank page between them.
This might be hailed as ideal by a few. It would certainly be totally inoffensive to all but those Christians who consider the Bible to be the revealed word of God. It would also be totally meaningless; as would be any oaths sworn upon it. Is mise,
REVD PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny
Sir, – It is depressing to read Declan Kelly’s suggestion that the “offensive” words in the Bible should be removed “so that the book might adequately serve us rather than we it”.
It might be unfashionable to admit but the words of the Bible are God-breathed and contain wisdom badly needed in today’s world. It is a book that identifies the avarice, greed and sin within each of us and lights the way to a better life through the grace of a heavenly Father who sent his son to die on a cross for us. Second Corinthians Chapter 4 states “we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God” – yet these are the words Mr Kelly wants us to tinker with so that they will suit and serve the values and whims of today’s flawed society. Sounds like a great idea! Yours, etc,
GEOFF SCARGILL,
Loreto Grange,
Bray,
Co Wicklow
Sir, – Swearing on the Christian Bible should provide little difficulty for the vast majority of our population, since the 2011 census of Ireland revealed that 90 per cent of the population describe themselves as Christian (Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland). For those who are atheists or are of a non-Christian faith, our courts offer the alternative of making an affirmation, which is a straightforward solemn declaration to tell the truth. I assume the same solution occurs in other areas of Irish life where oaths are required to be taken. Yours, etc,
JOHN BELLEW,
Dunleer,
Co Louth
Sir, - I swear on my passport that I will not swear on anything other than my passport. Yours, etc,
MICHELE SAVAGE,
Glendale Park,
Dublin 12