Ian Boyne has disappointed me and, I believe, many other of his readers.

I was looking forward for his final piece in what I expected to be a three-part exposé of the new atheists in The Sunday Gleaner. I was even praying for God's help for him as he composed, as I expected, his final piece attempting an answer to them. Having set up the thesis on September 6: 'The rise of the new atheists', and continued last week with the antithesis where he outlined their arguments and those of others who blame Christianity, and religion generally, for all the ailments in the world.

I was looking forward to the synthesis, the completion of the dialectic where he would analyse and answer them in a reasoned defence of Christianity's validity, vitality and value to humanity, if not of religion in general. Instead, he seems to have retreated into irrelevance. It is said that one should never set up an argument, and point out deficiencies in an argument, if he does not intend to attempt an answer.

Afraid to take a stance

I am sure he is up to the task but he is seemingly afraid to take a stance with the despised people called Christians. I am truly disappointed. I know he is capable of giving a creditable answer for Christianity, despite all its faults. While not many minds might be changed by his defence, surely some seeking soul could have been helped along the way to true faith. If he won't, I trust some one of our learned theologians, or even a well informed layman, will take up the challenge on behalf of Christianity.

I am, etc.,

LLOYD A COOKE

Royal Flat

Mandeville PO