Many heroes of the faith

I write in response to the article by Costa Andre Georghiou (Religion divides humanity and poses the greatest threat to our progress, July 20). It is true that atrocities have been committed in the name of religion – the Islamic State is a good example. As the writer pointed out, the Crusades and the Inquisition are also examples of destructive religious practices.

However, they cannot compare in scale with the destruction wrought by atheistic communist regimes. Pol Pot in Cambodia was responsible for the deaths of 2-million people. What about Stalin, or the Chinese cultural revolution, which caused immense destruction and bloodshed?

Although I am distrustful of religion, I am a practising Christian whose life has been transformed — like countless others — through a relationship with a loving God and saviour. I count among my heroes of the faith people like Mother Teresa , who poured out her life in service to her God by serving the poorest of the poor in India. Another hero for me is William Wilberforce who, with fellow believers, fought to end slavery. Throughout the world Christian missionaries have set up hospitals and schools.

Yet I would not be so naïve or historically inaccurate as to follow the writer’s line of reasoning and conclude that all atheists and agnostics are divisive in their beliefs. I am privileged to know many compassionate nonbelievers. I am likewise privileged to know people of other faiths whom I admire.

Let’s reach out across cultural and religious divides to love and respect one another. That would be a great way to tear down division.

Janet Mills Cape Town