In response to Ricky Shaw’s letter stating that “religion is very harmful to society” (The Argus, January 20), and also saying that Christmas is not a Christian festival, it was most illuminating to learn that the scriptures were written by Iron Age peasants.

That would include Solomon, a leader of a nation, and the apostle Paul, with an intellect to match Plato or Aristotle. They can hardly be described as “Iron Age peasants”.

How can Mr Shaw categorically deny that Jesus did not work miracles? Was he there? Was he an eyewitness? How would he account for authentic modern-day miracles that are being experienced today?

Many would agree with his observation that religion can be harmful when individuals or organisations use religion and their concept of God to justify actions whether political, financial or personal. Much has been done in the name of the Christian God which has nothing to do with the faith handed down through generations and is often incompatible with the teaching of Christ.

It is hardly surprising that Mr Shaw has discovered a connection with spiritually as he observes the wonder and beauty of nature and the universe; as King David wrote in Psalm 19, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

The apostle Paul wrote, “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen.”

But, of course, this is not true as it is the result of some kind of cosmic accident, which needs as much faith as believing there is a creator.

It is claimed we live in an age of enlightenment but has that resulted in the moral improvement of humankind?

Every day we are bombarded with images of atrocities whether the murder of a young child or ethnic cleansing. Something is wrong. The Christian moral compass has been replaced by subjective morality, each doing what is right in their own eyes. Perhaps we need to explore afresh that Christian moral compass on which our society was once built.

Tony Smith, Brighton and Hove City Mission

Can Mr Shaw give any authority to his statement about Jesus: “He certainly had no supernatural powers, could not work miracles, and was not the ‘Son of God’.” I do hope it will be information equal in authority to that of all the historians who have written stating the opposite point of view over the past 2,000 years.

It would have been good if he had finished Chapter 13 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, which speaks totally of “love” and which reads, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

John Cleal, Rothbury Road, Hove

I must correct Ricky Shaw’s statement that the scriptures were written by “Iron Age peasants”. Isn’t it a bit condescending to refer to working people as “peasants”? To take the New Testament scriptures alone, the four Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all had literary skills, Matthew being a former tax gatherer and Luke a physician.

Also, the Pauline Epistles were written by Paul who was a former Pharisee, teacher of the Mosaic Law and Roman Citizen; he presents well-written, cogent arguments for his faith and did not hesitate to engage with his own people and the Gentiles, including the sophisticated debaters who frequented Mars Hill in Athens.

In the Old Testament, we have the leaders, prophets and visionaries such as Moses, Ezekiel, Daniel (who eventually became Nebuchadnezzar’s right hand man), Jeremiah and Isaiah (a member of the Royal house) – all of whom could certainly write.

Helen Goodall, Windlesham Avenue, Brighton

I disagree with Ricky Shaw and Roger Hudson about the origin of Christmas and how harmful religion is. The feast commemorating the Nativity of Jesus Christ (or Christmas) was introduced in the middle of the fourth century. The celebration of Christmas on December 25 is of Western origin. Christianity chose to import the Roman festival of the Saturnalia, which traditionally took place between December 18 and 25, aiming to convert pagans to Christianity. The date itself is not important for Christians. It is the fact that we celebrate that the Lord came down to Earth.

Additionally, it is not religion which has a lot to answer for. It’s the people abusing religion to spread hate and violence who are “extremely harmful”.

Violence in general is against everything real Christian faith stands for. Awful deeds are done by humans, not by religion.

And if religion, as demanded by Mr Shaw, has a lot to answer for, I am sure science has too. Weapons were not created by religion but by science.

Yes, in the name of religion a lot of awful things have been done. As in the name of science. That does not make religion or science wrong. It makes the acting person wrong.

Michael Inkpin-Leissner, Brighton