McCreary is letting religion off too easily

At one point, Alf McCreary (June 1) states that in Northern Ireland the causes of violence are not theological, but tribal.

Yet, a few paragraphs further on, he effectively admits that we do "put people down" for religious reasons. Surely such instances are by definition theological, rather than tribal?

Could this Freudian slip be an example of the believer's desire to absolve religion from blame by relocating its problems?

In my opinion, it is unwise to ignore the negative effects which religion can have on society.

Those disputes which have their roots in a supposed supernatural dimension often arise from causes inaccessible to scrutiny. As a result, such issues defy resolution.

JAMES A McKENNA

Belfast