The Reverend John Webster and Pete Bauer's comments (Letters, December 18) show just how well we, as children, are taught (dare I say brainwashed) into believing in god.

No one in this world, of whatever faith, is born with a belief in god. We are taught this firstly by our parents when they say "you won't go to heaven if you are not good" or "the devil will get you if you are bad" along with "shut your eyes and go to sleep or the sandman will come and put sand in your eyes" - he never does, of course.

This "teaching" is carried on at school - until we leave, when some of us are able to think for ourselves and realise not everything is as we have been told.

To quote the Bible is silly because there are so many inconsistencies in it as to make it rather a poor historical record.

In the 17th Century, many people believed in witches and, indeed, many innocent girls and women were burnt at the stake after being accused by people who believed in god. I don't think too many people today believe in them, even though there are some who claim to be so - mind you, if they all looked like Samantha in TV's Bewitched, I for one wouldn't mind seeing some more.

Mr Bauer asks "If there is no god, where do right and wrong come from?" They come from being taught it, sir. Are you implying only people who believe in god know right from wrong? If so, what happened to those "men of the cloth" who are now in prison for doing wrong - did they suddenly become unbelievers? Do the millions of atheists such as myself not know the difference between good and evil?

No doubt there are people who think me a crackpot for voicing doubts about god. If so, I suggest they go online and tap in "atheism". They may be surprised at what they find - there are many famous "crackpots" who feel the way I do.

-C Wadey, Ridgeway Close, Southwick