I was just about to suggest that you do a review of Christianity On Trial: Arguments Against Anti-Religious Bigotry by Vincent Carroll and David C. Shiflett when I saw the “Weekly Book Pick” by Kathryn Jean Lopez (“Bang the Gavel Slowly,” March 24-30).

Any Christian, Catholic or otherwise, who has succumbed to excessive hand-wringing over his or her spiritual ancestors should read and re-read this book. The work was probably inspired by a mounting suspicion that there was something deeply unjust about all the attacks and accusations leveled against Christianity lately. The two authors do some research, working with facts, not with their emotions or prejudices and, lo and behold, the attacks are unjust — at least for the most part.

So how does one explain the hostility of anti-Christians: from brilliant Nietzsche to not-so-brilliant Kevin Smith (writer/director of Dogma)? Clearly they have little interest in fairness and truth. Are they scandalized “little ones”? Do they resent the guilt feelings Christian morality sometimes inspires? Are they insane? Possessed?

And finally, do they realize how perfectly they serve to fulfill Christ's words to the first Christians? — ”If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18,19).

JOHN LORANGER

Sparks, Nevada