Sir – The article by Christopher Gray concerning the December 27 broadcast on Radio 2’s Pause for Thought, does not contain anything that is new. However, he writes in a manner that is both unkind and inflammatory.

It fails to recognise that one of the great strengths of contemporary Britain is its cultural, religious and ethnic diversity.

For a member of another faith to be given the opportunity during the Christmas period to express a view demonstrates that strength; and to seek to deny that opportunity, as Mr Gray has done, is to firmly close the door to a conversation that enriches religious life in our great country. He is expressing a sort of religious backlash, heard from time to time, based on a fear that the nation is ‘losing touch with its Christian roots’; instead of the cause being identified with a loss of direction or increased materialism; another religion is blamed for expressing in a vibrant fashion its religious belief.

The delivery of half-truths, or even whole-truths insensitively worded, is the product of a mind that seeks to divide the community into ‘those with me’ and ‘those against me’, with the implication that the former are ‘the only true British people’.

Mr Gray might benefit from discovering what is really going on, rather than attacking Rabbi Julia Neuberger, or a religious leader from any of the other faiths of this country, for exercising her right to free speech. Publicly taking anyone to task is something we should only rarely do. But there are times when the feelings of my fellow citizens have been so offended that remaining silent is not an option.

Whatever we believe about Christmas and its meaning for us, its ultimate value is one of love, and that cannot be served through unkindness.

Perhaps the person who has somehow missed the message of Christmas might be the journalist rather than the rabbi. With every good wish for 2012, and the hope that for everyone in Oxford it will be a year of kindness, Bede Gerrard, Chairman, Oxford Council of Faiths