THE EDITOR, Sir:"Then the men of the city said to Josh, 'Bring out your son that he may die for he has destroyed Boal's altar...' And Josh said to all who were against him, 'Will you plead for Boal? Will you save him?... if he is a God let him plead for himself...'"
Judges 6:29-31.
THAT SON was Gideon and that incident, which occurred about 1200 B.C., shows one reason (perhaps the main one) for religious violence: humans protecting their gods (when gods ought to be able to protect themselves and their worshippers).
I don't know of any war going on among Moses, Jesus and Mohammed. So why are those who claim to be following them fighting one another in their names?
If anyone thinks I am blaspheming against his or her d\ivinity by writing this, I beg him or her to allow that divinity to either forgive me or punish me himself or herself.
The real God is able to defend Himself: "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:19).
Religious terrorists and hooligans do no good for themselves or their religion; they only create more hatred and violence.
For example, much of today's violence against Christians and "Christian" nations was caused when misguided "Christians" in the past fought against others in the name of Jesus (who did not send them to fight).
Some will be quite shocked when Jesus returns and tells them: "I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers". (See Matthew 7:21-25).
The folly of religious conflict, weak suffering humans fighting against one another on behalf of some omnipotent beings safe in Heaven or Paradise or elsewhere!
Wouldn't it be wiser to unite and fight against common enemies right down here on Earth - ignorance, disease, hunger, homelessness, natural disasters, pollution...?
I am, etc.,
CLEMENT CLEMENTSON
Harewood P.O.
St. Catherine
