Sir, – Councillors in Kerry who have insisted on placing a religious symbol in the revamped council chambers in Tralee are acting unwisely because they are inviting those who might reject such a move to explain their objections ("Crucifix erected in Kerry County Council meeting chamber", June 6th).
This is likely to be interpreted by the supporters of the symbolism as yet another “attack on religion” when it will be, in fact, nothing more than fair comment.
A great many people who are happy to observe and practice their religious beliefs in private and with dignity will have them held up to ridicule, and will be once more confronted with the detail of how the same beliefs have been betrayed by those who set themselves up as leaders of religion in the past.
Whatever the councillors of Kerry might think, religion should be a personal matter. If they are acting out of pure conviction, one has to ask how sure can they be of their beliefs if they need to have them reinforced by such public display. If this is a populist measure, it is beneath contempt. – Yours, etc,
SEAMUS McKENNA,
Farrenboley Park,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – It should have been a flat cap.
JOHN McNAMEE,
Bruckless,
Co Donegal.