Visit the Photo Place

Religion is the root cause of many human conflicts

Religion is the root cause of many human conflicts

Date published: 12/19/2002

In early November I had the fortunate opportunity to visit Fredericksburg. I read the article by James Haught ["Without religion, the world's morgue attendants would downsize," Nov. 6], which provided much evidence of humankind's inhumanity to one another. Religion is used as justification for terror, murder and the appalling conflicts affecting the world today.

In the final paragraph Mr. Haught asks "If anyone knows why religion, which espouses kindness, is stained with so much gore, I wish you'd explain it to me."

I do not pretend to be an expert on the subject, however, it seems that religion, being a man-made institution, has built-in needs for its followers to defend its truth in the manner Mr. Haught describes.

History is replete with examples of war, death and persecution resulting from one set of people believing differently from the majority. It almost seems that to question the "truth" of a religious majority is tantamount to treason or heresy and must be punished by death.

Yet most religions proclaim they are peaceful, kind and tolerant. Thus, the fundamental question is not the "truth" of religion, but rather, why religion?

While visiting relatives in Fredericksburg I also attended the Godless Americans March on Washington. As a secular humanist, I feel we need to look to humanity for answers to Mr. Haught's questions.

Religion lends itself to be "stained with so much gore" through its requirement for defense. Only through reason and relying on humanity's potential for good will the justification for terror, war or persecution be ended.

Jon Matteson

Carson City, Nev.

Follow us on

Date published: 12/19/2002