THE Rev Kelso makes an impassioned plea for Christianity. Unfortunately, the basic premise of his argument is false.

Paganism covers many aspects of faith but they all seem to focus on a concept of God in Creation, perhaps embracing the notion of Heavenly Father and Earth Mother, united in the (creative) Spirit. (I hope I don't offend too many by such a broad description!)

They revolve around the cyclical nature of life, the seasons and the desirability of keeping our beautiful, God-created world as good and as fertile as possible.

Christianity has traditionally tended to focus on the Second Coming and the End Times, thus minimising environmental and ecological considerations - a linear rather than a cyclical approach.

Paganism grants the feminine its equal, complementary importance alongside the masculine.

Christianity still describes the Trinity in wholly masculine terms - only the (Roman Catholic) addition of the Virgin Mary into the pot allows any mention of the feminine at all: and that, as something of a cipher by comparison.

Satan is the god of Satanists - a direct off-shoot of Christianity itself.

I think most of us would hesitate to invite Satanists to an inter-faith forum: though we can't influence people we won't talk to and can only - like Christ - conquer evil through love.

I don't see why Pagans shouldn't be encouraged to rub shoulders and exchange ideas with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and anyone else who has faith in the intrinsic goodness of God and God's Creation.

We all have much to learn from each other about the diversity of God's love and God's acceptance of us all.

Val Gaize

Atcheson Close

Studley