P H Hayworth, in his letter, “We must mend our bridges with God” (April 23), assumes rather too much in suggesting I believe we were created by anything resembling a god as proposed by any religion. The fact that such stories are written in books some choose to call holy is not reason to consider it true or even likely, when no evidence has ever been produced to substantiate it.

The fact that we find beauty and joy in the world does not mean it was put there for our pleasure. That dreadful things happen to people does not mean they are a punishment from an irritable deity who thinks we all — from genocidal dictators to babes in arms — deserve a darn good thrashing.

Rewards for being good and punishment for being bad are seductive ideas, especially where the question of eternity is concerned, but there is, alas, nothing to suggest they are more than simplistic projections of fear and wishful thinking. I am happy to agree to differ with Mr Hayworth, but I take exception to the presumption by religious organisations (and some individuals) that they may dictate to the rest of us what we may do in various aspects of life, or take over publicly-funded schools without a by-your-leave, solely on the basis of a creation myth and the dogma stemming from it.

Mike Lim Delph Avenue Egerton