Some people can’t stand any criticism

9:40am Wednesday 3rd September 2008

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SIR – At the moment it seems like every time someone hears a criticism they don’t like, rather than either taking it on board or offering a counterargument, they instead react as if someone is trying to actually ban them from holding their view. It seems to be a defence mechanism.

People would rather say, “Hey, I have every right to my opinion,” than to actually think about the criticism offered against their opinion.

John E Iebole (August 22) notes that “the Bishop of Worcester is perfectly entitled to state that music (especially the one (sic) played in cathedrals) brings us closer to God.”

I didn’t say the Bishop wasn’t “entitled” to say anything he likes. I’m not a censor. But there is a world of difference between having the right to say something on the one hand, and being right in saying it on the other!

The Bishop had said (August 13) that “music has the power to move human beings deeply because it speaks ... of the God who created us.” I expressed that his statement felt to me like an over-confident gardener erecting a fence across a public footpath.

One further point Mr Iebole says he sensed “some anti-Christian barbs” in my letter, then he points me at the Bible.

Again, this kind of attitude seems to be nothing more than an attempt to shut down honest debate.

BOB CHURCHILL, Worcester.