SIR: I am grateful to Alec Martin for expressing his concerns at a Christian Radio station in Bolton and would like to thank him for pointing out the jargon which Christians sometimes fall into using.

Firstly, the Bible as used by Anglicans, Catholics and indeed all Christians states that we have all offended the God who made us, and are therefore condemned by our own actions to an eternity of punishment. However, we can be 'saved' from such punishment by accepting that Jesus Christ has been punished on our behalf. This is the very essence of Christianity and is believed by all Christians of all dominations.

Secondly, is Mr Martin happy with our society as it is, full of violence, crime, greed, families throwing their children out on the streets, daily murders? I am sure he would rather see us all living as Jesus taught us to, in love, friendship, at peace and going out of our way to help the sick, weak and homeless. I think there is a very real need to broadcast that teaching.

Finally, the cost is a drop in the ocean compared to the millions squandered every week on lottery tickets, which has never even bought a packet of soup for the homeless of Bolton. It is a lot of money for a group of churches to find, but it we can 'save' one person from an eternity of punishment then it will be money well spent.

P Payne,

Plodder Lane, Farnworth,

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