In this morning’s correspondence: two very different takes on the Israeli flotilla raid, atheism, standards of spelling, nuclear power and biomass.
Media myth of humanitarian crisis in Gaza Sir,-Shame on you for splashing virulent anti-Israel propaganda across the pages of your prestigious paper (June 1).
You have a duty to the truth, yet nowhere do you give more than a passing reference to the other side of the story.
You simply quote verbatim the statements you were given.
You might have asked the Dundonians you quote what they were doing either taking part or supporting the flotilla.
Nowhere do I read of the Israeli efforts to prevent confrontation. The flotilla was repeatedly asked to unload cargo peacefully in Ashdod so that it could be checked for illicit items.
The flotilla was told that UNWRA, the UN and the Red Cross would then have taken the other supplies into Gaza in the usual way.
If you had done your homework you would have understood that Israel acted in accordance with international law in boarding the ship to prevent it from violating its waters.
The boarders were met with violence, when they had originally been told the flotilla was non-violent. One Israeli had his gun wrenched from him and it was used to open fire on the Israelis, who were assaulted with every kind of weapon.
I am appalled that you, along with the entire British media, condemn Israel without any evidence, simply on the say-so of Israel’s enemies.
I am sure that Israel is in a state of war because its enemies refuse either to sign a peace treaty or recognise the country as a Jewish state.
What Arab country allows Jews to live in it? And how many Christians are harried daily in Arab countries? There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Flora Selwyn.43 North Castle Street,St Andrews.
Unjustified Israeli attack
Sir,-Scottish Jews for a Just Peace join with thousands across Scotland and the world in condemning Israel’s brutal attack, in international waters on the international aid convoy that was headed for Gaza.
Despite Israel’s cynical attempts to control the news, this can only be understood as a massacre committed by Israeli forces
We hope that this flagrant attack will bring the Israeli government the condemnation it deserves, including from within Israel itself.
Sarah Glynn.Scottish Jews for a Just Peace,Castle Terrace,Broughty Ferry.
Rationality of atheism
Sir,-There is an apologia for atheism (May 29), by two correspondents.
They have, of course, every right to criticise the Bible and Christianity in the presentation of their case.
However, it is unworthy, unscholarly, and unfortunate that it is done with such scurrilous contempt for people of faith.
It is true that, to date, the existence of God cannot be proved concretely or scientifically but, by the same token, neither can He be disproved.
From time immemorial, humankind has instinctively and intuitively felt that there must be some kind of power behind all existence.
Every event or change must have an adequate and pre-existent cause.
Plato called that power the Prime Mover, others have used such terms as the Absolute, the Ground of Being or the First Cause.
The Bible in Genesis 1.1. refers to the same.
The Bible uses symbolism, allegory, parable, and other forms of literature that, while not literal, confirms and substantiates truth.
Belief in God is neither nonsensical nor irrational while His existence, just like any other aspects of human intuition and experience, such as love for example, cannot be examined in a test tube in a laboratory.
(Rev) J. Harrison Hudson.22 Hamilton Avenue,Tayport.
Slipping standards
Sir,-As many schools no longer teach spelling as they used to do, perhaps I should not be surprised at the persistent misspelling these days of “forgo”, meaning to do without.
There is also the word “forego” but it means to go before.
The rule is simple. If there is an element of before, the spelling is fore, as in foretell, forecast, forego (meaning to go before) mainly found in the past participle foregone, e.g. a foregone conclusion.
If this is not the case, the spelling is for, as in forgo (do without), forbid, forgive, etc.
R. A. G. Stuart.Colliston Castle,By Arbroath.
Politicians must keep lights on
Sir,-I support Dr John Cameron’s view (May 31) that we will have to adopt more nuclear power if we want to keep the electricity flowing. If nuclear is good enough for the French, what makes it unacceptable for us?
The SNP seem to have ideological objections to nuclear power, and, clearly, there are practical problems to be solved but the onus remains on the authorities to provide power to meet the UK’s needs. Politicians have been avoiding this policy by expensive, damaging and almost useless “green” prevarications.
(Dr) Charles Wardrop.111 Viewlands Road West,Perth.
Future proof emission levels
Sir,-In reply to SEPA’s assurance that emissions from the proposed biomass plant in Dundee will meet current air-quality standards, I draw your attention to the fact that, in view of the extremely harmful nature of all the emission gases and particulates, these targets are continually revised downwards.
Given the projected lifetime of the plant, can SEPA assure the citizens of Dundee that the plant will meet those standards in 2035? The only safe level of emissions is none.
Ann Prescott.434 Perth Road,Dundee.