THOUGH I myself disagree with the objection to the sounds of campanology expressed by M S Rice (Your Letters, June 3), still I find the tone of those contributors to Your Letters who could not tolerate such criticism in good heart were far less musical than those of the bells they apparently sought to defend.

Of all the dubious reasons that a person could provide for espousing such an unlikely and unreasonable belief as seems to be Christianity, surely the most pathetic available one must be tradition.

The practices of trial-by-ordeal or punishment of women on a ducking stool for unruly behaviour might just as well be defended with the same empty slogan.

I am a convert to the principles of humanism and atheism, the doctrines on which the health and wealth of this country are really founded.

The fact quoted by your correspondents, that many people tick the box marked Christian on the census forms is of little meaning. In most cases this act is the sole output of 12 years of religious education. It is a conditioned response, not a reflection of vital faith.

For all this, the bells sound great and may the team keep ringing them another 900 years.

RUPERT COULSON, Elgar Avenue, Malvern.