Dr Lee's opinion that loved ones 'lose interest in schoolwork to the point of academic failure' as a result of church activities is an over-generalisation. Teens do badly in school due a whole list of reasons. From internal reasons (poor self-esteem) to external factors (poor quality teaching, peer distractions, poor parenting), any esteemed educator will come to a conclusion that church activities alone cannot cause academic failure.

As for the picture she painted that the teens in question no longer attend family functions and 'parental objections are ignored', it is obvious Dr Lee is out of touch with the realities of the day. Among the youth today, MTV, computer gaming and the Internet rule.

In my talks worldwide, many foreign and local youths mention in Q&A sessions that they are drawn towards adults who understand them. Therein lies the problem. To package it as a result of church activities shows a lack of understanding of the issues involved.

Besides, even in my generation, my mates and I would rather play soccer as an alternative to boring family functions where gossip and boring monologues held court... and that was 20 years ago!

What would Dr Lee prefer, youths spending time learning about God or spending time at game arcades and gang gatherings which lead to rioting?

Peter Thompson