I FELT that I must write and explain myself to David Woods who replied to a letter that I wrote some while ago.

Firstly, no, I am NOT trying to say that goodness is attributed to God and evil to the Devil - it was a simple play on words.

Secondly, I do not have my own personal God, it's a nice thought though. But, if I did, I'd want him/her to sort out the world's problems such as feeding the hungry, healing the sick and helping the homeless.

Thirdly, the book of Yvonne is a joke, Mr Woods, it doesn't exist. However, I do write, so perhaps I'll complete one some day.

I also think that it's a shame that you do not believe that there is no redemptive good in anyone. I know there are truly altruistic people around, Mother Theresa for example, unless you know something that I don't about this wonderful lady.

I have read the Old Testament (yes it's my own copy) but I have also read many fairy tale books such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears. However I do not believe everything I read. It's up to the individual to decide what is fact and what is fiction. (I once believed in Father Christmas).

Those of you who quote Bible passages do not have a logical argument when the people you're preaching to do not accept as belief the first premise that the Bible is true.

Also, as you have observed, there must be many versions of the Old Testament, my copy obviously being different to yours. In my version (Genesis) it says that God asked Abraham to kill his son, which I thought was a pretty wicked thing to do, even if He didn't really mean it.

My version also contains a chapter called Deuteronomy which states that God said some nasty things to his 'chosen' people including things of a racist and unpolitically correct nature such as; people who are born out of wedlock cannot be considered as God's people and the Moabites and Amonites or any of their descendants are never to be considered God's people. It is this God that I was referring to in my last letter.

Throughout my copy of the Old Testament, this God is not a very pleasant character. He kills people when aroused, and loses his temper quite easily.

As for Set, Horus or even Baal, I think they were fictional characters too. However that did not stop the ancient Egyptians from believing in them. They too probably went around trying to force their beliefs on non-believers, as you and yours are trying to do now.

To believe in God takes a very special kind of faith, one that cannot be destroyed by logical arguments. Both St. Anselm and Thomas Aquinas tried to prove that God existed by using logic. Sadly both failed.

A belief cannot be forced on anyone. The alternative would be to start another crusade or Jihad, that will wipe out all those who do not have faith. Believe me you will not do it with Bible quotes, as I have mentioned you have to believe that it is true in the first place.

Y E Naylor (Ms)

Roseneath Road

Great Lever

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.