I READ the article headed "Faith in Harmony" (July 16) about some of our local churches and their leaders taking part in an inter-faith event with Muslim communities here in Bury.

Because of that news item, and the photograph, I have heard the all-too familiar comment that "all the religions in the world teach the same beliefs and are as good as each other".

Well, the different religions of the world do not teach the same tenets of faith, nor are they as good as each other, which I say with respect.

There is a fundamental and important difference revealed in comparative religion with regard to Christianity and its teachings and beliefs.

Whilst Jews, Christians and Muslims believe in one God, Christians also believe that the universal spirit and being of God became a human being in Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. Jesus Christ became "the human face of God". That Christian belief and claim is rejected by Jews and Muslims and other faiths. They regard Jesus Christ as a prophet and teacher, and not "God in Man".

It is good and useful to have dialogue with members of non-Christian faiths to try and understand the different beliefs and to work together as far as we can.

REV. KENNETH LANGTON,

Canon Emeritus of

Manchester Cathedral.