Evolving of religion

Judith Bryers Holloway (Letters, Nov 16) imagines ‘‘most thinking people dismissed the idea of religion of any sort’’ when taught sciences and evolution. Unfortunately, her imagination has not kept up with evolving religions, particularly archaeologist-priest Teilhard de Chardin’s 1929 The Divine Milieu.

Like radical integrations of science and spirituality it met resistance from those who believe divine texts are written by God – or can’t imagine institutions can enhance spiritual access. As Qumran scrolls scholar Barbara Thiering points out in her 1992 Jesus the Man, social justice made possible by virtue of moral strength and regular communal support is the mark of reasoned religions.

Many modern followers of Christianity find no reason to believe in virgin births or literal resurrections. They do recognise needs for regular resurrections of the spirit, however – and religious rituals that engage both minds and hearts to increase this likelihood.

Jesus’ blend of self-assertion and self-denial was unique in creating peaceful inclusion through principled tolerance. And the miracles of human recovery that occur when forgiveness is practised, and enemies’ hatred is contradicted by non-revengeful love, was historically a breakthrough.

Replacing ‘‘God’’ with Truth, Justice and Love is fine but history shows these need further definition and distinctions. STEVE LIDDLE Napier