Ricky Shaw writes about the relevance of religion today (Letters, January 20).

The expansion of the Roman Empire and the beginning of travel and commerce brought about a multiplicity of competing religions.

With the decline of Roman law and civil administration, something had to be done.

It can be argued with some confidence that the Christian religion became an important harmonising influence between a multitude of conflicting and warring cults and tribes. One of the ironies of history is that the rise and establishment of a Christian Europe was made possible with the revival of Roman law and order.

Ricky Shaw writes that religion is extremely harmful to our society. I wonder which “society” and which “religion” he refers to; all have contributed in important ways throughout the centuries to altruism, morality and spirituality.

I agree with Ricky Shaw when he writes, “I believe that religion has an awful lot answer for.” That “we live in an age of enlightenment” is possibly relatively true.

My personal opinion is that it is difficult in 2014 to equate “enlightenment” with the events in some countries in Africa as well as in some countries of the Middle and Far East.

Ricky Shaw writes, “Free-thinking people are waking up to the idea that none of it is true.” However, he is free to express his atheism because hundreds of deeply religious men and women have sacrificed their lives over many centuries so that we may all be “free-thinking people” and so that we may have freedom of religion and freedom from religion.

Christopher Fox-Walker, Meads Road, Eastbourne