I WOULD like to comment on those academics who have criticised the Prime Minister for promoting Christianity within the UK and their assertion it will have negative consequences (Echo, Apr 21).

Having reviewed most of the profiles of these academics, none seem to have any more credible understanding of Christian teachings than most of the general public. So being an academic doesn’t give them any more authority to make such comments.

Philip Pullman, Ken Follett and Sir Terry Pratchett are authors, Dan Snow a historian, the son of a father and other relatives prominent in the BBC, and Tim Minchin a comedian.

Jesus taught love, tolerance, and a need to care for the very poorest in our societies. What is wrong with that?

While it is true that this country is more multicultural, most of the precepts on which this country’s laws, and how it is governed, are based on those Christian principles.

If Christ was critical of any section of the community in which he lived, it was the academics; the scribes, the pharisees and sadducees. It was their narrow-mindedness that led to the crucifixion of Jesus.

So on what specific authority do they criticise the Prime Minister for his statement in support of Christianity?

Just as a matter of curiosity who named these critics as academics?

Derek Mark Pattison, Weardale.