Sir, - The article entitled "The Voice of Reason" by Eileen Battersby (The Irish Times, May 27th) was timely and refreshing. As an interview with Brice Dickson it did justice to him personally, but its more important aspect was to highlight some of the misconceptions about Northern Ireland and its problems. He is the first public appointee to explain, for example, that there are more than two traditions here. He is also the first person with a high profile to admit that he is an atheist, and that fact alone should encourage the belief that there is hope for the province yet.
I have always been sceptical of the boring references to the "two traditions" by people in authority in religion and politics. It is almost as if they are gloating over the difficulties of a population which they perceive to be so weakened by brutality, injustice and prejudice that they will have no trouble maintaining control over their "own" and keeping "the others" at bay. When they speak of two traditions, they imply that an insurmountable division exists which justifies their role in society and helps to consolidate their power.
As Prof Dickson points out, however, there are more than two traditions, and not least of these is the secular tradition to which both he and I are adherents, although we were nurtured in opposing religious camps - he in the Shankill and I in the Falls. A minority of political and religious extremists have failed to divide the rational sections of these communities, who have inevitably evolved into a unique Ulster tradition that bridges the gap between Irish separatism and British chauvinism.
No one with a sectarian agenda could successfully defend human rights in this province, and that is why the new commission headed by Brice Dickson has a greater possibility of success than many other committees, boards and commissions. It remains for him to develop its base in a democratic way, allowing for participation by those who have been active in this field for more than a decade. - Yours, etc., Sean Kearney, Secretary,
Ulster Humanist Society, Glantane Drive, Belfast 15.