Religious Freedom

I do not belong to any organized religious organization. I do not go to church. Right or wrong, my decision. But please do not assume that I am anti-religion. Personally, I believe that the closely held positions of some religious organizations are a bit over the top. Some religions have beliefs or customs with which I disagree.

The "Church Of Christ" has prohibitions on using musical instruments in church. Nearly all Christian religions believe in baptism, some sprinkle, some submerge. The "Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints" believes the same Bible most Christian denominations use, but believes God had a new book (The Book of Mormon) especially for them. The Catholic Church believes differently than Protestant religions. Jews disagree with Christians on many levels. I overlook these differences.

In my view, religion must be, in some way, a force for good. I respect others' views and beliefs, including their religious beliefs, so long as those beliefs are based in some "force for good". No one can argue that members of the Church Of Christ do not do a world of good in their communities. My experience with Mormons has shown them to be exemplary citizens who actively care for their fellow man. Consider all the Roman Catholic Church has accomplished with their hospitals, universities and other institutions. Ditto for Judaism.

And, I believe in the U.S. Constitution: If Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion, I will stand for that free exercise.

However, holding millions of members in allegiance does not, in my opinion, make a religion. Since September 11, we have heard much about respecting Islam. I do not.

Muslims fall far short in the "force for good" department. They sentence to death people who disagree with their beliefs. They fight among themselves... Shi'ites, Sunnis, Wahhabis, Suffis, Bahaiis... Muslims all, but they have done battle among themselves for centuries.

But the accepted customs of many Muslims are the straws that break the criteria for a religion for me. In Islam, it is okay to lie for the good of Islam. Honor killings are okay. The universal acceptance of bad treatment of women. And, among the most despicable, one "long standing tradition" recently codified into law by the new Egyptian Parliament (since the Muslim Brotherhood gained the majority) permits a man to have sex with his deceased wife for up to six hours after her death.

Sorry, I cannot personally recognize Islam as a "religion" worthy of my support.