Editor: Re: Letter by Frank Sterle (The Times, Jan. 1).
The writer stated that he was trying to avoid “needless critique or bashing Christianity and Christians.” Yet that was precisely what he did, at some length.
If his message had been about other formal faiths in our society, there would almost certainly have been a variety of acerbic responses. Most Christians simply have taken such criticism “on the nose” and said little.
Such general criticism of our materialistic society is sadly true, but the guilt is very general and unrecognized by many, both rich and less so.
After all, it was the commercial Christmas-time mesage — to spend and spend some more.
The writer chose to use such words as “hypocrisy”, “coveting a neighbour’s possessions” and “gratuitous wealth” in his generalizations about “some Christians.” Could his words not have applied to many other people in our society?
His referral to our search for a “just society” should surely continue both at home and abroad, regardless of the time of year or any proscribed faith.
Why was the writer so negative in his wording? Perhaps I should forgive him. It would be Christian of me to do so.
Rhys Griffiths,
Langley