How much joy is there in atheism?

Re: “Teach kids about Christmas, and its basis in mythology” (Letter of the Day, Dec. 14)

As a Christian and a historian, I was left wondering by Elspeth Dowell’s reaction to James Watts’s article on Christmas whether she really did agree with Watts’s statement that “regardless of our personal beliefs we can share in another’s joy.”

The one thing I have learned in my “faith” journey is to honour and respect the opinions of others even though they may be different than mine. The study of the humanities and history served me well in my career as a teacher but always had something lacking in that they never dealt with the spiritual side that is part of all of us.

Dowell’s critique of Christmas, the Gospels and religion in general, with her ultimate declaration that “not even a tiny morsel of evidence to support the existence of any God has ever been found” left me wondering if she sincerely could share in the joy of others.

If one blatantly dishonours another’s beliefs, with blanket statements that out of hand dismisses them, I wonder if atheism and humanism are truly the answer to our spiritual needs? Just a question.

Paul Yaxley

St-Bruno