Letters: Oct. 30, 2006

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Re "When Seeing Is Not Believing" [Oct. 9]: Alarmed by the growing strength of fundamentalist religions, Andrew Sullivan suggested that "moderate," "tolerant" and "humble" believers hold the key to religious peace and sensible politics. Nonsense. When in history has religion, however moderate, prevented or eliminated the ignorance and abuses of zealotry? Even a liberalized interpretation of the Bible, Koran or Talmud offers no guidance on human rights, constitutional guarantees, parliamentary democracy or international law. Those conventions and compacts had to be worked out by painstakingly applying unaided reason to the messy affairs of the real world. If we are to survive the current wave of reactionary fundamentalism, rational humanism once again will have to lead the way.

CHARLES MARXER White Rock, B.C.

Sullivan said that total, literal belief in ancient Scriptures of all kinds is a bad thing and that partial, selective belief is not so bad. Can we go one step further and assume that no belief at all would be best?

ANDREW STAUDZS Winnipeg, Man.

The G.O.P. and the Green Stuff

"The G.O.P.'s Secret Weapon" [OCT. 9] described the Republicans' advantages over the Democrats in the upcoming congressional races: more money and a formidable ground game to turn out voters. But even more reassuring for G.O.P. leaders is knowing that they, as members of the party in power, have gerrymandered electoral districts; booby-trapped election processes in such states as Ohio and Florida; and widely mandated unreliable, unsecure and unverifiable voting equipment. TIME should invite international judges and journalists to monitor the elections and report their findings.

ROBERT TRAVIS San Antonio, Texas

I couldn't help noticing that each of the $100 bills illustrating "The G.O.P.'s Secret Weapon" has the same serial number. What are you trying to tell us? That the Republican Party platform in November is counterfeit?

BOB FASHINGBAUER Chicago

Stick Figures

Despite the cheeky allusion to underpants in the headline "I See London, I See France ..." [Oct. 9], what I immediately noticed in the pictures of the models sporting the new micro-minidresses were the painful grimaces on all their faces. Were they unhappy with the ridiculously short hemlines? Or were their bony legs barely strong enough to carry their torsos?

NICK LAVECCHIA Parker, Texas