SIR - With increasing regularity, Bishop Selby uses his supposedly religious column for political propaganda.

On the lastest occasion (Worcester News, February 28) it was about identity cards.

As a non-believer, I object to this abuse of power and challenge the bishop to a fair debate on the subject of identity cards.

Political memories are very short but let's remind ourselves that nations have always been under attack by religion.

My contention is that after a brief period of inspired spiritual purity, religions quickly mutate into earthly, dogmatic, undemocratic and oppressive international political movements that deny non-believers any power in the societies they preside over.

Identity cards are a perfect example of this. Why should the bishop be against us knowing whether our neighbours have a legal right to be here? Simple, because the major religions don't like us having any control over the migration of their followers. Identity cards would threaten their power base. If the bishop wisely declines my challenge, may I have a regular column to preach atheism?

JIM EVANS, Worcester.