In a free, secular society atheists should be allowed to advertise their opinions ("Atheists' message misses local bus", January 9). It could even be a welcome change from some of the advertisements I currently endure.

While I believe in one God, the Father, maker of heaven and Earth and all things visible and invisible, I also recognise that there are many Australians who do not. My views should not be protected or go unchallenged. This is censorship.

As long as we respect the sanctity of each person's religion and do not ridicule it in any way, then atheist advertising should be encouraged. After all, every advertisement is already in support of some ideology or other, even if it is only hedonism or capitalism.

James Athanasou Maroubra

Bring it on, I say. The atheists must be allowed their place on the bus.

Reverend Dr Michael Jensen Moore College, Sydney

The fear which underpins all religions has now led to an advertising agency's refusal to accept atheistic advertising. Would you please publish a list of APN Outdoor's clients so that those of us who cherish free speech can arrange our own boycotts?

Lewis Winders Sheffield (Tas)

APN Outdoor has blocked a campaign by the Atheist Foundation of Australia advertising its no-God views. I am disturbed to hear this.

One of the most basic freedoms is that of religious expression and debate. Already there are efforts under way to restrict these rights both at a national and an international level, driven by individuals who despise religion, and by regimes seeking a legal basis for persecuting religious minorities.

Although I consider atheism mostly ill-informed and often irrational, I strongly defend the right of atheists to advertise, debate and promulgate their position - and to call religious people stupid, war-mongering and any of the other charges they throw at us, if they want to.

Reverend Peter Green Silver Street Baptist Mission Marrickville

What values guide the atheistic slogans to "sleep in on Sunday mornings" and "celebrate reason", and how does rationality justify indolence and ignorance? As to the latter slogan, I seem to recall that the French embraced a similar slogan before embarking on the worst atrocities of the Revolution.

Atheism was also central to the philosophies of Nazism and Stalinism.

Harold Hayward Turramurra

The decision to ban atheist slogans on buses is no surprise as God only knows how to fix the problem of our transport system.

Kel Joaquin-Byrne Randwick

Regular bowel checks are essential

Everyone should heed Dr John Riley's words (Letters, January 9) about bowel cancer checks. Nearly 30 years ago I visited my GP, who put me in an ambulance to Royal North Shore Hospital where I was met by Dr Riley. My treatment began the next day and now, at age 87, I thank him daily for his prompt action. Regular checks are essential. They will save you a lot of the drama I went through.

Bob Douglas Mona Vale

It could happen to you

I hope Richard Pocock (Letters, January 7) and Jonathan Hill (Letters, January 9) never get lung cancer from smoking too long or injure themselves from their own bad driving. I hope they never need treatment for heart disease caused by their irresponsible eating, melanomas from their lacklustre sun safety or a bad back caused by their posture. And if they ever do, I hope they do the honourable thing and pay their medical expenses upfront because, at some stage a lesson has to be learnt that, not all lives are worth saving.

Todd Kirby Bateau Bay

That's real multi-tasking

In this age of multi-tasking, I am grateful to Doug Anderson (January 9) for pointing out that the Herald's Erotic Affairs Writer, Fay Corkassim, doubles as the Budgerigar Affairs Correspondent.

Alastair Browne Cromer Heights

Something wrong here?

Lynda Newnam of La Perouse (Letters, January 9) mentions a community climate summit to be held by the State Government at which people are chosen to be allowed to make recommendations to the Government. Does anyone else see a problem with this concept?

Murray Howlett Regents Park

Statistics can be handy

My MP responds to my complaints about bus services by referring to State Transit Authority statistics showing that bus services are 90 per cent or more on time and have excess capacity. Now I know why. On Thursday and yesterday, STA officers were collecting data on buses arriving and departing from Railway Square. I will guarantee that, in the second week of January, 90 per cent or more of them will have been noted as on time and with excess capacity. Unfortunately, the same will not be true from February to December.

Jeremy Fisher Haberfield

POSTSCRIPT

The big subject of the week was Israel and the attacks on the Gaza Strip. A regrettably large number of letters were anti-Semitic and a smaller number anti-Arab. Using the Racial Discrimination Act as a guide we did not publish anything "reasonably likely in all the circumstances to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group of people". Even so, we could publish only a small number of the heartfelt letters, otherwise they would have dominated the page completely.

Nearly as overwhelming were letters about dogs and people, and people and dogs, on leash and off leash. Neighbourliness has gone to the dogs, it seems, and very few people are trying for a compromise.

The other subject getting people hot and bothered was the US President, George Bush, awarding the former prime minister John Howard the Medal of Freedom and the Howards staying at Blair House. No one supported either idea (vehemently) and Mr Howard should probably be careful lest his burning ears set fire to the White House.

It wouldn't be summer without cricket letters, and the SCG was chastised for its heavyhanded crowd control and inflated food prices.

The good news is that we may have found a way around Dr Who reincarnation problems without having to worry the Prime Minister, as many thought necessary.

Harriet Veitch Acting letters editor