Just one of several letters in response to an article by Esther Addley in The Guardian on 2nd April – Cardinal attacks ‘aggressive’ secularism gaining ground in UK. Read down the page for another from the BHA’s CEO, Hanne Stinson.

Tony Blair and Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor deliberately conflate secularism with atheism. Atheism is lack of belief in gods. Secularism is a belief in equality in politics, education and law, regardless of religious belief. So when they refer to “militant secularism” and “aggressive secularism”, respectively, then they are implying that such equality of treatment is a bad thing. The truth is that both men are more concerned with holding on to political power than any kind of moral advancement. At least the Cardinal was honest enough to admit that he thought faith leaders should have a privileged position in public policy. Secularists are forced to defend democracy against such religious lobbyists. No wonder they are becoming more militant.

Richard Gilyead
Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Letters: Blair’s faith tested by the evidence | World news | The Guardian.