WHAT a sad letter from Rory Mulvihill (Blind faith, April 15).

Mr Mulvihill believes Christians are brainwashed into a "blind faith" of believing the teaching of the Gospels.

It is an historical fact that Jesus Christ lived approximately 2,000 years ago in Judea. It is historical fact witnessed by many people not previously believers that he taught the word of God, healed the sick, cured the lame and gave sight to the blind.

He performed many miracles witnessed by hundreds of ordinary people who later bore witness.

It is historical fact that he said "no one can come to the Father except through me". It is historical fact that the religious leaders of the time felt threatened by him and, together with the Roman invaders, colluded to bring false charges against him and to arrange his death by crucifixion.

It is historical fact that he died on the cross and was buried.

Christians believe that after three days, he rose from the dead thus conquering death for all believers.

As a result Christians believe that death on this earth will be followed by resurrection into heaven for eternity. Non-believers may find this difficult to grasp but hundreds of people saw Jesus after his resurrection and they went out and preached this to others.

Many were threatened with death for preaching what was seen to be an unacceptable teaching. All they had to do to save their own lives was to deny the resurrection. It is historical fact that they all preferred death rather than deny what they knew to be true.

This alone is sufficient for me to believe.

Mr Mulvihill, there is only one blindness here - the blindness of those who simply will not see. I have said a prayer for you.

Tony Taylor,

Grassholme,

Woodthorpe, York.

Updated: 10:22 Tuesday, April 18, 2006