Malachi O'Doherty is quite correct to say that Humanists are still campaigning on the side of Darwin and Evolution (Sea of Faith, 22 Sept). We are. But he seems to think that Humanists are wasting their time going over an argument that ended long ago.

Would that that were the case! The argument should have ended long ago, but unfortunately the weight of tradition and the failure of our education system have ensured that the argument is far from over. Even the discovery of DNA and the evidence that humans have much genetic coding in common with other animals, have not been accepted as confirmation of evolution. Despite the best efforts of David Attenborough, Richard Dawkins and other biologists, people still cling to ancient religious beliefs about human origins, beliefs which are completely out of date.

Religions are essentially tribal. Believers revere ancient beliefs and customs simply because they are the ancient markers of their tribe. Children are taught those beliefs and customs so that they can become members of the tribe. No doubt religions are cosy and comforting for the individual believer, but on a social level they are divisive, splitting society into different tribes - as we in N Ireland know all too well.

Mr O'Doherty thinks that the watered-down version of religion offered by his friends in the Sea of Faith Network represents the way forward. They reject the supernatural elements of religion, but retain the trappings and rituals. They are therefore half-Humanist, half-religious. Mr O'Doherty thinks they get the best of both worlds. I think they fall between two stools.

The fatal weakness of the Sea of Faith approach is that it leaves tribal divisions intact. By hanging on to the traditional trappings and rituals, they have preserved the ancient markers of the tribe. All they have done is empty out the core beliefs of the tribe, leaving a hollow shell. Ordinary believers are usually resentful when they discover that their leaders, having ditched the supernatural, are only going through the motions of traditional belief.

Humanists want to escape from the tribal divisions of the past. They follow reason and evidence, which are universal, rather than the blind tradition of the tribe. Of course, Humanism is less cosy than religion. Accepting the facts of evolution does entail that humans have no more hope of an after-life than any other species. But though that truth may not be cosy, it is universal and applies to all humanity. Humanists aspire to a better future where the divisions of the past give way to a sense of common humanity and shared purpose.

We live on a small planet facing great problems. Over-population is causing the destruction and pollution of the environment. Other species are being driven to extinction. Weather systems are being destabilised. Irreplaceable resources are being consumed at unprecedented rates. There are real problems confronting us all and we need to confront them as one humanity, not as competing tribes.

Les Reid

Belfast Humanist Group