RECENT statements that modern paganism is taught in university is misleading. Sure, a small number of academics have written about this movement but they have examined it as an interesting example of a recently developed faith movement, along with others such as Scientology or The Solar Temple.

All modern scholarship is united in denying any historical continuity between modern pagan nature mysticism which arose in the last century and ancient polytheistic Paganism centred on sacrifice. I challenge David Simones-Jones to name one reputable scholar in the field of history of religion who has shown that there is a genuine historical connection between what he believes and practises and what ancient Pagans believed and practised.

I beg your readers' forgiveness for responding once again to this proposal that a newly invented faith should be endorsed by being included in the school syllabus. By now it must have all the fascination of the recent election campaign. But this is an issue of truth. It is not true that paganism, druidery, Gardnerian Wicca or any other brand of these modern pick 'n mix spiritualities are directly related to ancient faith systems.

Our children have far better things to spend their limited time at school on.

Peter Hatton,

Methodist Minister, Corbett Street, Droitwich.