Yes, we are at war in the United States. No, not Iraq, but amongst ourselves rages the main battle — a clash between traditional and new beliefs.

The battle is often depicted between those who believe in God and those who wish religious folks harm. That view makes religious folks mistrust others and makes dissenters unwilling villains.

Sadly, most of the villains are those who claim faith but betray its most solemn tenents.

A few current examples suffice: Catholic priests preach on Sunday morning and covet your kids in the afternoon; a TV evangelist suggests the murder of a head of state is a viable solution to a political problem; so much for the Ten Commandments; and letters are sent to those who disagree with views on the right to die that threaten the kidnapping of their children.

These are a few of the views expressed by those who claim a belief in God. No wonder there is a crisis in religious faith.

The crisis arises from a misconception: dissenting views are bad by definition and beliefs quoted from scripture or elsewhere supersede common sense and rational thought.

Here are two principles that may serve all of us well: The Golden Rule and “People Count More Than Any Belief System.” Most of us merely give “lip service” to the former principle and summarily ignore the latter.

The fathers of our nation, enlightened folks indeed, realized that religious and other beliefs are a matter of personal choice, come and go, and should not be controled by government; hence, the right to have the religion of your choice, if any, is part of our Constitution.

Our nation has forestalled many internal conflicts because we can believe as we choose without retribution from friends, foes, or government. Nevertheless, there are those amongst us who believe that their beliefs are more valid than yours and are determined to submit you to their will even if they must harm or kill you to do so. This is religion in its most stupid and most harmful form.

All of us ought to denounce proponents of “my religion is better than yours” for the sake of personal freedom and national harmony.

A citizen of Afghanistan [was recently] on trial with the death penalty because he wishes to be a Christian instead of a Muslim. No doubt, you consider this to be abhorant, but there are evangelical folks who would gravitate to a similar posture if they are given the opportunity.

Peter Duran
Fayetteville, Ga.

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