Giles Fraser (Live and let live,15 February) is correct that the roots in Britain of a tolerant society lie in the 17th century. Not, however, because of some supposed inclusive spirit in the Church of England, but in reaction to its consuming desire for religious control, in cahoots with the monarchy. This year we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of A Short Declaration on the Mystery of Iniquity, a remarkable document by an early Baptist, Thomas Helwys, which included a plea to James I for religious liberty, not just for Baptists, but also for "heretics, Turks, Jews, or whatsoever". The seeds of tolerance were sown by those such as Helwys who were moved by their faith to argue for freedom of religion for all. They paid a high price (Helwys died in prison). If only we too could learn to be as forthright about protecting other people's freedom as we are our own.
Simon Oxley
Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire
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