Many other gods were also the supreme embodiment of good, he knew that, but he felt even more so because he was perpetually engaged in battle with the source of supreme evil, Anghra Mainyu.15. He would never allow Anghra Mainyu to attend even as an observer The same zero intolerance should be shown to Satan.16. Loki, Norse god of mischief, said he was interested in this eternal non-stop battle against evil. Would Ahura Mazda explain how it was waged? Was it being waged at this very moment? Loki could not help notice that Ahura Mazda looked very relaxed right now. Was he also waging non-stop war against evil as he sat back in his celestial sofa? A very cushy job, if he was.17. Ahura Mazda said he was not used to being talked to like that and said he would crush Loki like a woodlouse.18. The chairgod said it was against house rules to crush a fellow member like a woodlouse, and furthermore that it was always best to ignore Loki, who was the embodiment of mischief and therefore as destined to stir up trouble as he, Ahura Mazda, was destined to be good.19.

A vote was taken, and it was decided to turn down Satan’s request by a margin of four million to one, Loki being the only one to vote against.More divine deliberations soon, I hope
More from Miles Kington. Dove, the toiletries company, has signed up Rankin, the punishingly cool snapper, to photograph another selection of “unconventional” looking women as part of a new promotion called the Campaign for Real Beauty. While I’m familiar with the content of the American dream, the British dream is new to me.My dreams tend to be pretty bizarre, and I’m sure they wouldn’t do at all. Given this unwanted “religious” compartmentalisation, I now feel free to consider certain Biblical and Koranic statements as dire insults and threats, both to my physical existence and my mental maturity.Therefore, under the new law pertaining to religious hatred, will I, as an adherent of the “religion” of unbelief, be able to invoke it to take legal action against Christians and Muslims who offer such profound threats in their holy texts, even into the everlasting future?A W JORDAN Kidderminster, Worcestershire British nightmares Sir: Michael Howard thinks everyone should have the opportunity to “live the British dream” (report, 5 January). In my non-belief, both Christian and Islamic texts continue to threaten me, as they have others for thousands of years, with damnation and eternal torment.Absurdly, some metaphysical philosophers attempt to categorise my indifference to religion as a religion in its own right Unbelief classed as a belief. There is currently some debate, for instance, as to whether logic should admit only the two Aristotelian values (a or not-a), or many “fuzzy”values (e.g. slightly-a or very-a).In addition, it is entirely unclear whether many aspects of existence, such as beauty or free choice, can be made to submit to any kind of rational or logical analysis.

At this stage of the game, knowing as little as we do about rationality, it seems rather irrational to conclude that everything must fall under the heading of a term the meaning of which has not yet been fully decided.PAUL SCADE ExeterSir: Like Richard Dawkins (letter, 24 December), I too take exception to certain concepts.I am a 60-year-old atheist, completely unconcerned with and impervious to religious belief and conviction Yet, even then, religion will not let me alone. Rabbi Tony Bayfield’s name emerged out of that process.Your newspaper carried allegations of concern that the proper procedures of CCJ’s constitution for such an appointment had not been carried out. I believe, to the very best of my knowledge, that those concerns were and are unfounded – and that the procedures outlined by our constitution were properly adhered to.The underlying issues about who should or should not represent the Jewish community as a joint president of CCJ are a matter for the presidents and particularly for the Jewish community itself. What is absolutely clear is that these kinds of discussions should not deflect CCJ nor the Christian Church nor the Jewish community from our duty to work for mutual understanding, the combating of anti-Semitism and the creation of a just, peaceful and tolerant society.+CHRISTOPHER ST ALBANS (The Right Rev Christopher Herbert, Bishop of St Albans) Rational universe? Sir: Chris Newell suggests (letter, 5 January) that the world does not extend beyond the rational. As a philosophy post-graduate I have to say that I find the concept of “the rational” to be very hazy.

If by rational Mr Newell means “subject to logical analysis” then I feel obliged to point out that the notion of logic is still, in many ways, ill-defined. As I understand it, there is no office within that part of Judaism which is of the same kind as that held by, for example, the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Chief Rabbi and thus to make this appointment is complex.In these circumstances, following the death of the late Rabbi Dr Albert Friedlander (who represented the Progressive constituency within Judaism in CCJ) soundings were taken by the Jewish community about who his successor should be. It is the office held which is significant in the appointment of joint presidents.Some years ago a decision was taken by the board and the joint presidents that one of the joint presidents should be representative of the Progressive constituency. And all the time, poor people are having to stay poor because our trade and aid policies protect jobs in the rich world, and make it hard for them to sell their produce to us.It would be wonderful if the events of the last week heralded a new concern for third world problems. Unfortunately, it is more likely that compassion will take a rest now, until the next natural disaster.RICHARD BASS Bosley, CheshireSir: On 23 December – before the earthquake and tsunami – we were asked by The Independent to comment on the dramatic increase in insurance claims resulting from hurricanes, droughts, floods and other early impacts of climate change. Our quotes appeared in an article on 27 December, as part of your coverage of the tsunami.

Pound for pound, money spent on public health improvements saves more lives than disaster relief does. Not many of the people you consulted seemed to think so.Indeed, the opposite may well be the case Natural disasters bring out the best in us. We are shocked that maybe 150,000 people may have died, and that many more may still die. We hope that our help will arrive in time to save as many as possible We have reached out to the victims and the survivors.