Michael BarrettOxford• That organised religion continues to decline is tough news for the faithful few, but the bigger question is how do we evaluate such facts? Richard GilyeadSaffron Walden, Essex• By far the biggest factor in the long-term decline of organised religion in western Europe has been the rise of moral autonomy. Doug ClarkCurrie, Midlothian• Your leader comments on the latest BSA survey and the continuing decline in organised religion, not least in the Church of England. The outsider who shows love and compassion is exalted above the representatives of organised religion whose rules forbade them risking being in contact with the man lying in the gutter. Organised religion – “Church”– might still need to learn the lesson that its founder seems to have wanted people to be more compassionate, not more religious.

Source: The Guardian July 17, 2019 16:52 UTC