Rational people on both sides of religious debate

PHILIP O’Neill (Letters, Jan 5) makes a number of valid points in his comments on atheism/theism.

There are very intelligent/rational people on both sides. Unfortunately ordinary/decent atheists are badly served by the poisonous/hate-filled rhetoric from the likes of Richard Dawkins & PZ Myers.

The latter’s atheism manifests itself in desecrating Catholic communion hosts. However, these individuals represent the “lunatic fringe” of atheism. There are other, more rational atheists, whom Catholics and other theists can definitely dialogue with. For example, it is not widely known that two of Pope Benedict’s strongest supporters/confidantes are atheists. I refer to the Italian politician Marcello Pera, and the German philosopher Jurgen Habermas. So civilised/respectful dialogue is perfectly possible.