So your columnist Laura-Jane Filotrani has been 'shooting from the lip' again and this time it's religion that she has decided to get rid of.

Might I suggest she would do well to do a bit of research on her subjects before she writes her decidedly rude column.

If she had done so she would have found religion as she calls it - genuine Christianity we would prefer - is very much alive and well in Sidcup.

I dare to suggest that more people in Sidcup are followers of Jesus Christ than support any other organisation in existence.

In my contact with some 13 churches across the town I regularly hear of churches that are seeing considerable activity. It is the churches in Sidcup that probably provide more help to needy people in the town than any other group.

So in local churches in Sidcup you will find help being given to stroke victims, blind people, disabled folk, foster carers, people in debt and so the list could go on. This is all done because as Christians we have a real love for people and wish to see them get the very best from life.

Part of that desire is to see them understand exactly what Christianity is REALLY about. I guarantee your writer Laura-Jane probably hasn't a clue!

George Hider, active member of Sidcup Baptist Church

Religion = trouble. This religion doesn't like that religion so they beat them, shoot them, blow them up, try to exterminate them.

Turn the churches into homeless shelters, at least then they would have a good use. Stop force-feeding our children this rubbish in school and teach them better English and maths.

Val Jane, Woolwich

Val Jane from Woolwich says fill the churches with the homeless then they will have a good use.

From my experience, churches are more than purposeful. Very few are only open on Sunday, and for the rest of the week they serve the community via mother and toddler groups, good companions for the elderly and youth clubs, the list is endless.

Our kids are not force-fed rubbish. I wouldn't mind betting that the reader hasn't been in a church since she attended a wedding, Christening or funeral. What ignorance she speaks.

Christine Grace, Orpington

Click here to read the Shooting From the Lip article referred to