Sir, The support of Muslim representatives for freedom of speech (letters, Jan 14) is heartening. Would they therefore accept that the fatwa imposed on Salman Rushdie for writing The Satanic Verses was inconsistent with the British values that they wish to uphold? Do not all religions in the modern world have to argue their case in the marketplace of ideas, rather than silence opponents with violent threats?
To insist that everything written in the Bible or the Koran must be true for all time is not the way for religion to engage in a constructive dialogue with secular society. Agreeing on some ground rules for how we read and interpret our sacred scriptures is probably the most crucial task facing Judaism, Christianity and Islam today if we wish to foster understanding between those of all religions and none.
RABBI DR DAVID J. GOLDBERG
Liberal Jewish Synagogue
London NW8
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Sir, To find threats to family values, we do not need to pick on the loving relationships of gay couples. All the prophets of God seem to agree that love is the most important thing. More love and less finger-pointing might strengthen all our families, gay and heterosexual alike.
DÓNAL THOMPSON
Madrid