The commandments

I refer to Yusuf Zammit's letter in reply to mine. I have no intention of entering into a public debate on the matter, however, his letter cannot be left unanswered.

First of all, I have to state that I am intrigued by his addition in parenthesis of "peace be upon him" when he wrote Jesus's name for the first time. What exactly does he mean by it? Furthermore, I confirm again that, in my opinion, obeying the Ten Commandments make one a good Jew but not a Christian. Yes, of course we're taught the Ten Commandments! However, Christian teaching doesn't stop there!

Jesus, the Son of God made Man, came to take us further. Unfortunately, far too many Catholics are still under the impression that they're living a good life just as long as they don't breach the commandments and they use them only as a rule of thumb when going to confession.

Mr Zammit states that my recommendation not to shop on Sundays if it is objectionable, not to resort to divorce, abortion or euthanasia even if they are available, is "the malady of our society - western Christian society".

He recommends nipping it in the bud or else the result would be paganism. Now he is going too far! Western Christian society is exactly what European culture is all about! What exactly is he saying? Is he proposing changing that fact in some way? This is exactly why I would want the European constitution to state that Europe's culture is Christian - lest anyone now, or in the future, gets any ideas regarding trying to change that.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not in favour of divorce, abortion or euthanasia but it doesn't mean that I plan to impose my beliefs on others. I would vote against them in a referendum but if they became law because the majority of people would have voted for them, I would still not resort to them.