From the Revd John E. Sclater
Sir, — In the light of last Friday’s events in Paris, could I recommend to your readers the book by Anthony Stevens The Roots of War and Terror? If we are to work and pray for peace, we need to grow in our understanding of why war and violence have been an endemic part of our human history.
This book by a Jungian analyst is an excellent introduction to that question. The Vietnamese Buddhist teacher and life-long peace activist Thích Nhất Hạnh always reminds us that love and understanding must walk hand in hand.
JOHN E. SCLATER
3 East Court
South Horrington
Wells BA5 3HL
From the Revd David Hall
Sir, — As I awoke after a fitful night, after hearing the news of the Paris atrocities, I penned this short prayer by way of response. Perhaps it will be helpful to all who seek to respond to make a thoughtful and spiritual response to these events:
"Help us tread gently in our night of sorrow, seeing the kindness in the eyes of strangers and the sadness in the eyes of our friends. May we fight division with unity, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love. Guide those who lead us and seek to protect us, that, together, we might more faithfully reflect the compassionate courage of the one who loved us and gave himself for us, ’til morning comes, and shadows flee away. Amen."
DAVID HALL
The Vicarage, Rickmansworth Road
Chorleywood
Hertfordshire WD3 5SG
From the Revd Andrew McLuskey
Sir, — Sometimes people of good will and religious leanings have no opportunity but to call for the use of force to resolve political issues. One such is surely the ongoing existence of so-called Islamic State.
After their admitted sponsorship of the massacre in Paris, there is now surely only one issue to be faced: that is to eradicate totally (or bring to book) their leadership, and deprive them of the territory where they are based.
A broad-based "coalition of the willing", using overwhelming force, is clearly the only hope of doing this. Do it, however, we must, if we are not to have endless repetitions of this most recent outrage against humanity.
ANDREW MCLUSKEY
17 Diamedes Avenue
Stanwell
Staines TW19 7JE