Religion & Politics / Isolationism & Tooth Decay

Submitted by Robbin (United States), May 10, 2005 at 16:38

I'm not Moslem, and don't want to be. I have nothing against them, or good people of nearly any religion, as long as they keep it to themselves. I don't feel the need to have everyone else think / believe as I do, and I expect the same.

After studying lots of religions,and living in the Middle East for many years, I chose atheism, but that was my choice. Everyone should be given the same choice, and I fear that Jihads and Crusades aim to take that choice away. I believe in the separation of church and state more than most Americans. For example, I don't like creationism being taught as a science, or prayer being required in public schools. If parents want to send their children to private madrose's or shaolin monastaries for training, and can afford it, I suppose they should be able to. At least until the kid starts wanting to kill all the "infidels" who don't agree with him.

I believe that Ghandi got it right in "Young India" when he said something to this effect: "It is only proper that a man should think his religion is best. If not, then he's in the wrong religion, isn't he?" His downfall comes when he disregards his own religion's basic commandments to further(?) his religion.

Or to borrow a saying from another good man, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone..."

No one has the right to dictate faith to another.

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