Although I am a Protestant Evangelical Christian, I heartily support Joe O'Keefe's campaign to ban the burning of effigies of the Pope at Lewes's annual bonfire celebrations (The Argus, December 29).
Indeed, I would go further and ban the burning of all effigies, including those of travellers. The incident at Firle was disgusting and a disgrace to a civilised country.
November 5 could still be a fun day with bonfires and torch-lit processions but with offensive things such as effigy burning removed.
Furthermore, instead of commemorating past religious quarrels, let's have a positive, forward-looking theme, not a 17th Century Gunpowder Plot but a Festival of Light.
Perhaps the Lewes churches could give a lead with some sort of Christian theme.
Effigy-burning leads people, especially the younger generation to believe it is OK to bait people who are different from themselves and stinks of the Ku Klux Klan and the Nazis.
The great thing about Christmas is that it strikes a positive note and spreads the spirit of peace and goodwill.
No effigies are burned, no religious hatred stirred and bigotry and intolerance are swept away in celebration of the birth of Christ.
-Rev John Webster, Hove
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