FOLLOWING the British Social Attitudes Survey, the letter (September 14) from the chairman of the Oxford Humanists was no surprise. He pointed out that those claiming to be religious are now in a minority.

Mr White also wrote that non-religious representatives are excluded from active participation in annual Remembrance services. His presence for several years at the Oxford service of Remembrance, which I have commended in your columns, gives the lie to this claim.

I understand that the slightly changed humanist eulogy this year will pay tribute to those who died in war, adding that many had no expectation of any reward in an afterlife.

An afterlife is debatable, but apart from a tiny minority of violent extremists I cannot think of anyone, certainly not Christians, promised a reward for dying in conflict.

The values listed on the Humanists UK website are thoroughly decent and sensible.

Many who are not atheists share ideals like “cooperating with others for the common good, including with those of different beliefs”.

Perhaps Mr White could come to see these people, if not as friends, then at least not as opponents. Like humanists, they are a minority group.

Frank Grenfe, Farmoor