It shocks me that people are entertaining the idea of erecting a mobile phone mast on the roof of The Good Shepherd Church in Dyke Road, Brighton (The Argus, April 13).

I live next door to the church and have a son of two, while there is a nursery across the road and various schools nearby. It would be good if the church considered the health consequences rather than listening to the assurances of the industry.

The fact that there is no “scientific evidence” against mobile phones or masts doesn’t prove anything, as most of the research is carried out by the industry. Some of us actually feel pain when putting mobiles to our ears, let alone next to a mast. If they’re safe, how come mobile companies can also sell us “radiation guards”?

Isn’t the the ethos behind Christianity “love thy neighbour”?

Surely the church must demonstrate its responsibility to those who live in the local community and whose health may be threatened by this mast.

Also, having contacted a local estate agent, they informed me the mast would have a direct effect on my property price.

Aside from these implications, I can’t believe the church is “cashing in” on the mobile phone boom. I would have thought that as mobile phones can transmit obscene internet images the church would disassociate itself from such technology. It is because of this type of slip in standards that more and more church buildings are converted into pubs and housing. Church leaders, please open your eyes and stop thinking of the cash.

Serena, Garth and Teddy Ballard
Dyke Road, Brighton