THE embarrassingly effete response by the Kirk's official spokesperson to the statistics which show a steady decline in religious commitment in Scotland and the Church of Scotland in particular (“Kirk is hit hard by slump as Scots stop going to church”, The Herald, April 4) gives the impression of a church with its head in the sand. To suggest that the Kirk is there primarily for the dying and distressed is surely missing the whole thrust of Jesus’s ministry and teaching. He said his mission was to give “life and life to the full”.

One of the problems that faith communities face is that there is a growing disapproval of anything that suggests enthusiasm or wholehearted commitment to any religion. Current attempts at new legislation to curb religious extremism have had the effect of giving popular approval only to lukewarm religious commitment. Jesus called for whole-hearted commitment and a willingness to do what is right by his and the Bible's standards irrespective of the cost. Public opinion crucified him.

What is often overlooked in current discussion is that the Church of Scotland still has the largest membership and weekly attendance of any organisation in Scotland today. However if it continues to seek to be “relevant” by adjusting its teaching and standards so that they are no more than 10years behind the opinion polls the future is bleak.

Rev Bill Wallace,

29 Station Road,

Banchory.