Sir – Maurice Smithson (letter, September 24) believes Jesus to be the Son of God because the latter said so.

Well, firstly, someone we call John in English possibly stated that another known as Jesus made this claim on one occasion.

Secondly, even if this report is true, the other could have been lying or deluded.

Thirdly, the term ‘Son of God’ differs in interpretation from one culture to another.

The fact that this expression is employed 20 times in the ‘Gospels’ with respect to the same character similarly proves absolutely nothing, except that a handful of people felt it to be true, wanted it to be so or wished to con others into accepting it.

We expect a slightly higher level of debate in The Oxford Times.

Bruce Cane Oxford