A bit of slowburn esprit de l'escalier --

"You singled it out for greater criticism than other religions," says Richard above in shocked tones.

I am a critic as it happens, Richard: now largely retired, tho I still do a bit online; but in my time I have spent ¼C as one of The Guardian's team of theatre critics, and as their folk record critic; and some years as regular book reviewer for The Times, in addition to work for Folk Review, Plays&Players, &c &c...

Would you react as disapprovingly if I picked some plays or books or records out for greater criticism than others? That honestly isn't the way critics do it, dear old fellow. Didn't you know?

~M~