Sir, – Simon Dunne (July 31st) cites doubt regarding the existence of a deity, in regretting Eamon Gilmore’s capitulation to the formality of swearing an oath.
As cans of worms go, this one is small but fascinating. For a start, it is the Christian rather than anyone else who should be expected to follow Christ’s plain instruction: “Swear not at all”.
Furthermore, everybody is equally in the dark about the supernatural – this is only natural – and those who profess certainty are therefore taking a stand for reasons of their own.
Finally, it is impossible to say “Hello” in Irish without invoking the Deity. Like Eamon Gilmore, I have no more trouble with this than I have with using the unscientific term “sunrise”.
That seems, to my limited understanding, to cover the whole question. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW ROBINSON,
Marlborough Road,
Dublin 4.