Don’t be intolerant of different traditions

WE HAVE become accustomed to Boris Johnson’s political incorrectness, and his latest tirade on wearing the burka came as no shock, but I was surprised and somewhat disappointed to read Rowan Atkinson’s views displayed in the “They Said What?” section of the Western Mail (August 9).

His opinion that it is perfectly acceptable to make a joke of religion made me quite perturbed. As a practising Christian, I would never dream of poking fun at the customs and practices of those with different beliefs.

The only way forward is to listen, tolerate and respect the opinions of others, even when they do not correspond with our own.

Everyone can experience joy in their religion, but nobody should laugh or ridicule others, even when those opinions do not correspond with our own.

I’m sure that the majority of readers have woken up flustered after a dream in which we were inappropriately dressed in a public place, wearing night attire in town, for example, or frantically searching for missing clothes before we are discovered.

The ensuing embarrassment and humiliation linger long after we wake up.

We should therefore be mindful of this when thinking or expressing negative comments on the burka, as it is, after all, for the wearers, a necessary covering for their chosen lifestyle.