Photograph: Granger, NYC/Alamy
Why did it have to be Judas?
Someone had to demonstrate that even a potential apostle could be as weak as the rest of humanity.
Philip Stigger, Burnaby, BC, Canada
• Well, he got the best offer, didn’t he?
Pat Phillips, Adelaide, Australia
• If you believe in predestination, he had no choice. If not, did it really have to be Judas, or did the 30 pieces of silver have something to do with it?
Joan Dawson, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
• Jesus was born to be betrayed, arrested, convicted, and tortured and to die for our sins. Judas was just an unfortunate sinner in the wrong place at the wrong time.
David Tucker, Halle, Germany
• God only knows.
Terence Rowell, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Call and response
Why do so few of the regular N&Q correspondents pose questions?
Some are born to lead and others to follow. There are those whose nature is to ask questions, while others respond. Personally, I’m so busy framing answers to the steady flow of questions that posing them would be sheer overstrain. I remain full of respect and admiration for contributors in France, Kenya and elsewhere, whose questions are so stimulating.
Ursula Nixon, Bodalla, NSW, Australia
• Because when you know the answers, there’s no need to ask the questions.
Michael Olin, Holt, UK
• Because we’d sooner be noteworthy than querulous.
Noel Bird, Boreen Point, Queensland, Australia
• Them as can, think: them as can’t, respond.
Warwick Ruse, Brunswick West, Victoria, Australia
• Is it because we think we know all the answers?
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia
• Must be the weird ways our brains are wired.
Margaret Wilkes, Cottesloe, Western Australia
Only the end will tell
What is worse: being old or never getting old?
Both are wonderful: being old means that you’re no longer the embarrassment you were in your youth, but never getting old means never realising that you’re such an embarrassment in the first place.
Paul Probyn, London, UK
• A tricky one in the same realm as this: What is worse: not being able to sleep, or not being able to wake?
Anders Mathlein, Stockholm, Sweden
No more heroes, please
The word “hero” has become meaningless through overuse and misapplication. Is there another term we could use in its place?
Heroine.
Rupert Knowles, Northampton, UK (and many others)
• Yes, “legend” – then we’d have two meaningless and overused terms.
Dr John Reynold, Auckland, New Zealand
• Not too long ago the word “icon” was reserved for worshipful. Then Bowie came along.
E Slack, L’Isle Jourdain, France
Any answers?
What extends furthest - infinity or eternity?
Ross Kelly, Paddington, New South Wales, Australia
What can happiness teach that misery can not?
R De Braganza, Kilifi, Kenya
Send answers to weekly.nandq@theguardian.com or Guardian Weekly, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, UK
