Keep religion at bay

There is much concern these days about the political tensions among the peoples of the world. It’s especially alarming in our own country, where we like to view ourselves as peacekeepers.

When we focus on the fundamental characteristics of these problems, we find that in the Middle East the political problems are primarily caused by Muslims versus Muslims. Israel’s political strife is mainly Jews versus Jews. And now, in America, a clear majority of our political tensions are between Christians and Christians.

It’s increasingly clear that a great preponderance of world problems flow from all those religions in which people don’t agree among themselves about what proper behavior is. It’s very important that we all understand this.

What it means is that there is no one among us who represents the true voice of our own religion and all its values. Religious spokesmen each only represent a segment of their own fundamental belief systems.

If our country is going to achieve peace within its own borders, it seems paramount that we keep unsettled religious values out of our politics. No one should ever get away with supporting their own political position in the name of God.

Mickey Thompson

Spokane