Sir, – In the light of the current discussion regarding changes to the Constitution to reflect more correctly the state of modern Ireland, it should be highlighted that the preamble to the Constitution dedicates and ties the document to the “Most Holy Trinity”.
There are further references to God, including Article 44 wherein “The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion.”
It is self-evident, and should not require stating, that the inclusion of a demand in the Constitution of a nation to honour something which has not been proven to exist is absurd, and to many, profoundly troubling and offensive. The fact that people believed in God at the time the Constitution was written (and that many still do) is irrelevant. The Constitution should and must be impartial, rational, adult and unimpeachable; predicating it upon, and repeatedly referencing within it, an imagined deity in the sky dismantles its gravitas and renders it as credible as science fiction or nursery rhyme. – Yours, etc,
PAUL M BYRNE,
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Arklow,
Co Wicklow.