Religion and fundamentalism

Madam, In the context of fundamentalism and associated terrorism, Ciaran Farrell (January 25th) argues that all faith-based thought…

Madam, In the context of fundamentalism and associated terrorism, Ciaran Farrell (January 25th) argues that all faith-based thought process, however moderate, must be corrected. He does not make it clear whether "corrected" implies "abandoned", or whether believers need to avoid the risks of fundamentalism and its negative effects.

He does not give the source for his quotation that "God didn't exist until people had the idea of God" - in other words, that people created God, not vice versa. While all religions need to educate their followers about the damaging effects of fundamentalism, it would be a great loss to throw out the baby with the bath water. Many people are decent and generous for purely humanitarian reasons, but one has only to live for a short time in a society where religion has little or no influence to value the self-giving of people who are inspired by a faith-based thought process. - Yours, etc,

ISABELLE SMYTH, Rosemount Terrace, Booterstown, Co. Dublin.