Richard Prangnell's purportedly Buddhist view that only "totally sad individuals" would take exception to correcting the date of the birth

of Jesus Christ (Letters, December 16) astonished me.

Is it fear of change that causes such ill-tempered reactions? What if the birth of Jesus Christ was some years before or after the date commonly referred to as year zero?

Judging someone as a sad individual is nothing more than hot air designed to put the fear of God into them.

Buddhists don't fear a God or even worship one and I most certainly do not expect others to do anything I ask of them, especially after threatening them with some magical force of guilt and consequences beyond my control.

If Christmas is a happy time for some people, I am happy for them.

However, remember August was also a wonderful month and next August may or may not be - as are some Saturdays. Since they carry the name of Saturn and Augustus, am I therefore expected to forget their heritage because it is convenient to do so?

Try not to be so harsh on others at any time of year.

-Darryl de la Hoyde, Walpole Terrace, Brighton