IT is more noticeable to those of us brought up before the 1950s, how lax religious practices have become – leading to the unruly behaviour we hear and read about so much today.

Once Scouts of 11 years of age could wear jack knives on their belts. I should know, because I was one.

In later life, should an argument arise resulting in fisticuffs, one fought according to the Queensbury rules. Woe betide one striking another while unable to defend himself. And as for kicking one’s opponent: such a cowardly attack would never be tolerated.

In the House of Commons, during Prime Minister’s Question Time, all three party leaders repeat the names of service personnel killed in action and in parrot fashion say we will remember them.

What a fallacy!

Surely the Leader of the House should, after bringing the House to order, read out the names, then ask God to grant them eternal rest, with the House then giving their joint approval with a chorus of ‘Amen’.

This simple act of contrition would surely be echoed by television viewers.

Again, hospitals once advertised one’s spiritual preference at your bedside. This is no longer the practice but could be obtained at the reception desk. This then could be passed on to the hospital chaplain.

Recent edicts forbid this because, they claim, it contravenes the Data Protection Act. So it is now up to the patient to give their preference to the hospital chaplain.

I wouldn’t be surprised that it was this mystical body which was responsible for the banning of nurses wearing a crucifix. If so, it was a good job that they were not in existence when Florence Nightingale took 12 nuns with her to the Crimea!

D ROTHERY, Horspath Road, Cowley, Oxford