The Editor, Sir:

Many have sought to develop a dubious numerology based on the Bible. We all must have heard the claim that Ronald Reagan was the beast 666 mentioned in the Revelations, because his three names each contained six letters. At least one other person has claimed Mikhail Gorbachev was the Antichrist, again using the letters in his name based on numerology involving the spelling of his name in various languages.

Saturday, July 7, saw a record number of people around the world getting married in the hope that this "lucky" day would ensure a successful marriage. Some planned the whole wedding around the number seven with 77 guests, seven-tiered wedding cakes, seven guests at each table etc. I am guessing that seven years from now, these couples will have the same success/ divorce statistics as the rest of the population!

Firestorm

There was a firestorm in the U.S.A. and around the world when it was revealed that Ronald Reagan's wife, Nancy, had consulted an astrologer to determine the timing of the President's every public move. The First Lady's faith in the astrologer's pronouncements wreaked havoc with her husband's schedule.

In declaring the election date, our Prime Minister declared that she is the seventh Prime Minister, and so August 7 would be Nomination Day and the Election Day, August 27 - seven weeks from the announcement day. Are we being governed by someone who places her faith in numerology and her diviners? Would that mean the diviners will be running the country?

I am, etc.,

ANNA THOMAS