ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ

Ian McNay says that he bases his claims on ¡°rigorous fieldwork¡± and ¡°testable evidence¡± (¡°Creed and credence¡±, Letters, 30 March), so I was somewhat surprised that he so easily dismissed religion as a ¡°choice¡± in comparison with other protected characteristics that, presumably, he thinks are innate. He might want to apprise himself of the evidence from twin studies that indicates that religiousness has a significant genetic component. More importantly, whether or not a particular characteristic is a choice or genetically embedded should not determine whether discrimination towards it is ignored.

Justin Thacker
Academic dean
ForMission College

Letters should be sent to:?THE.Letters@tesglobal.com
Letters for publication in?Times Higher Education?should arrive by 9am Monday.
View terms and conditions.