Bible Belt is no earthly paradise

TERRY PRONE (Irish Examiner, November 8) seems to suggest that we in Europe should make an effort to export an image of ourselves as a God-fearing people in order to discourage attacks from Islamic fundamentalists.

How ignorant some people are of Islam. They see all religions as a positive force and are impervious to the idea that some are just not so.

The arguments in support of America's religious give the misleading impression that these are salt-of-the-earth types, so I'd like to balance the story. For all their talk of family values there is a much higher rate of divorce in the rural Bible Belt than in the liberal areas of the east and west coasts.

With all their talk of the right to life, the right to bear arms (including semi-automatic weapons) is considered sacrosanct by the vast majority in these areas.

There are many good reasons for abortion, such as if a 14-year-old girl is pregnant after being raped; if a doctor confirms that the unborn child will be profoundly disabled or will suffer from a terminal disease from which it will die within a year; if there is a real danger of the mother committing suicide, etc.

However these religious pro-lifers can't give one reason supporting their case against abortion in these circumstances other than claiming that it is not part of God's plan for us. Oh, and also a fist full of dubious legal technicalities.

It's the same story with embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, contraception, etc.

Ms Prone's column also gives the impression of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence when the opposite is the case. The Bible Belt is almost completely dominated by Protestant evangelical faiths which make no secret of the fact that they believe Catholicism is evil (this is a constantly reoccurring theme in their sermons).

The shoddy argument they make against gay marriage is flawed because the US constitution guarantees to protect the rights of all its citizens, including gays whose legal rights are compromised if a gay union in some shape or form is not recognised.

As for the exemplary philanthropy that results in religious Americans giving more to charity than Europeans, would that still be the case if you didn't count Bill Gates who gives tons of money to charity, and George W Bush who gives kindly to dictatorships in struggling countries like Nigeria where he and President Obasanjo seem to have an unshakable friendship?

Donald Hanley

Knocknacarra

Co Galway