Jon O'Brien

SIR - The Economist is to be applauded for suggesting that religion should not receive preferential treatment when it seeks to influence public policy. Religion, in all its forms, is but another form of vested special interest, like labour unions or business associations, and should be treated as such. Competing interests do bring different perspectives to public policy, but some of the privileges that religions enjoy are a disservice to all, and must be changed to ensure a level playing field for our attention and support in the battle of ideas.