If a columnist is arguing for religion to believers or against religion to skeptics, such a columnist need fear only boredom. Should a writer seek passionate reactions, however, advancing theism to atheists or atheism to acolytes are best bets for a column to end up lining the bottom of a trash can, after cries of heresy or ignorance are voiced. Oh sure, one could write about politics or sex and receive some interest from readers. But people already know their own positions on politics are gospel and they either cringe at or deny their prurient inner thoughts re procreation. Therefore, most columnists cautiously approach politics and skirt stories about immorality unless persons whom they despise are involved.
So, what’s a columnist to do? As Walter Cronkite might say, “How many stories of kittens that are not lost …” can a readership endure? Readers do not read or watch the news to be told spring is in the air, but to have their worst impulses titillated without divulging them. Someone else’s embarrassment or pain is much more exciting than our daily lives of “quiet desperation” as Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) pointed out. That is why writers tread carefully when it comes to religion, sex and politics. Columnists are aware, because we are human also, that humans are more likely to read, listen to or watch stories about these incendiary topics than almost anything but sports. By the way, other than Pele and Messi, can any American over 30 years of age name even one professional soccer player?
Well, back to the days’ diatribe on religion. Religion as we know it in 2026 is as volatile as it was in 1431 when Joan of Arc was burned at the stake upon allegations of heresy and witchcraft. From the Salem Witch Trials of 1692-1693, to our Christian fundamentalist views on Judaism and Islam and vice versa we are confused by our own beliefs. Now, I realize I have not mentioned such infamous religious evils as the Inquisition, the Crusades, innumerable pogroms throughout time and space, today’s genocides in Gaza and Lebanon, and so many internecine slaughters they cannot be fully tracked. However, suffice it to say what we all already know, untold millions have lost their lives based on the religious beliefs of others. Our current world-wide intra-faith hatreds are antithetical to the moral bases of most faiths.
I know little about paganism and many other systems of belief that are not of the Abrahamic tradition. But I was reared as a Christian and know that Abraham, who is credited with being the father of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity was supposedly born in the land of Ur that was located where Iraq or Turkey is today. In other words, the originator of the religions of The Book, was an Arab who is venerated by all three of the monotheistic religions. Does this mean all adherents of each faith are related by both DNA and history?
Who knows; not I. Maybe you do, Gentle Reader, but you will decide for yourself. I do know that one of our world’s great current mysteries is how so many of us can all kill in the name of the same deity who was created via the same cultures. And if you object to this statement, I respectfully refer you to the revered Ten Commandments that the politicians we elected have decreed must be posted in the classrooms of public schools. The first one is:
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Now, assuming the drafter of the Ten Commandments was of at least average intelligence, it could have been worded, “There are no other gods or, perhaps, you may worship the other gods just not as much as me.” However, since it declares there are no other gods not to be worshipped first; go figure. Perhaps the worship of other gods should at least not result in a sentence to Hades later or death today.
Or are our current leaders simply trying to lead our future leaders down the path of prejudice and misanthropy? Our politicians might want to reflect on the wisdom of a separation between religion and government, which is one of the bedrocks of our nation.
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