On the topic of the Humanist Society’s bus campaign, Maurice Vassie appears to have veered off course so much he may get mistaken for one of the buses carrying the Humanist Society’s very positive message.

He has misinterpreted the phrase “enjoy your life”, and equated it with a society content in its over-consumption. Presumably those seeking pleasure through consumption are only those without belief in a God?

I cannot argue with his concerns over our consumerist society, but the phrase on buses he refers to is offered as an antidote to the message of “eternal damnation” peddled at the extreme ends of those practising religious faith.

To me, that is a very positive contribution to any debate about how individuals make sense of who they are and what they are doing on this earth. And not just for those in our own society, but also for those Mr Vassie cites in other countries, for whom religious faith often acts, lamentably, as a substitute for education. It is not disputed that many people feel they derive benefits from their own faith, but that does not add any credibility to the arguments for the existence of a God. Are there people out there who behave in what is commonly termed a “Christian” way, with no faith whatsoever? Of course there are, and they are not informed by religious dogma.

The advertisement was a light-hearted attempt to stimulate debate. If Mr Vassie wants to launch an assault on consumerism then he should enter into a separate debate. I may well decide to join him there.

Nick Wharton, Fourth Avenue, York.