GEORGE Cowley often boasts of his high intelligence quotient (IQ) yet is never able to illuminate on his often ill-informed letters.

His latest response (You Say, Monday, February 24) to my most recent letter on the dangers of religious fundamentalism (February 15) is a classic example.

I quote: "Many humanists are just as intolerant of any religious belief."

On the contrary, Mr Cowley, humanism as a moral philosophy sees tolerance of religions and other belief systems as one of its highest maxims. Incidentally, humanists are non-religious not anti-religious.

To clarify, humanists campaign for a secular society where all groups and faiths have equal representation under the law, to live without domination, dogmatism or oppression.

And, yes, sometimes it means speaking up against the special privileges accorded the Christian church in particular.

Mr Cowley's irresponsible and rather inane statement leads me to believe he knows nothing of humanists or humanism. I am not expecting a reasoned reply.

GERRY KING, Crowle, Worcestershire.