SIR – I CAN understand that 500 years ago and beyond, people were superstitious and with the lack of scientific knowledge, the idea that their `god` would save them from evil forces was a natural way of thinking, plus it was a handy tool, used by the people in power to keep the masses in their place.

Most of society has managed to move on and religion is more of a comfort blanket in times of distress and a sometimes impressive show of theatre and pageantry.

I have no problem with anyone`s beliefs and it is their right to have a comforting faith to fall back on.

Where I do have a problem is when `religion` is taken back to its medieval form and force-fed to innocent children as a dangerous doctrine.

Yes, let people attend their churches, mosques, temples and synagogues etc to worship their chosen god, but let us now keep this out of schools altogether.

School should be a place of learning and as such, perhaps religious studies could be taught within a strict curriculum with no leaning toward any particular faith.

Colin Durkin, Moffatt Close, Wibsey