Anna Rowlands rightly traces the origin of solidarity to Catholic Social Teaching (“Shoulder to shoulder”, 12 September) – most European countries seem to have accepted it.  French state schools are strictly secular and their moral teaching is based on solidarity. The Comte de Saint-Simon (1760–1825) based the whole of his philosophy on human solidarity.  The uniform worn by his followers buttoned at the back, so that they could not fasten it themselves: they had to accept help from their friends to get dressed in the morning – a symbol of solidarity.Solidarity is implicit in the New Testament, and we cannot be genuine Christians unless we are ready to give and accept help. Refusing to help is a sign of selfishness. Refusing to accept help is a sign