On Religion

As someone who knows that interfaith interaction, especially between Christians and Muslims, is super tense a lot of the time, I was kind of surprised to read this article.  For those of you who decided not to follow the link, it's basically an article on a letter that Mohammad, founder of Islam, sent to an Orthodox Christian monastery; basically, the letter said that Mohammad would protect and honor the Christian's religious choice, and that this sentiment should be in effect forever.

It's kind of interesting, then, how much everything has changed.  There are Christians who really don't like Muslims, and I know there are some Muslims who really don't like Christians.  Strife between faiths is inevitable.

At the same time, I think Mohammad had it right - not only should we live and let live, we should live and help others live their choices.  Letting others be is not enough - if persecution is going to happen, then there has to be someone that's going to fight back.

I think freedom of faith is an important part of US culture, even if some people don't realize it.  There are some who think that the US was founded on Christian principles; Thomas Jefferson specifically said that it wasn't.  Some say that the US is a Christian nation, which is complete bullcrap.  There are so many faith communities in the US that calling it a Christian nation is almost insulting.  Sure, there are a lot of Christians, and a lot of Christian denominations that people follow, but that doesn't mean that this is a Christian nation.  That means that we have the freedom to practice Christianity - but also the freedom to practice Islam, Judaism, Wicca, Buddhism, Hinduism, Baha'i, Atheism, Agnosticism, or any sort of homebrew combination that explains what someone's individual view is on the status and existence of a higher power.

And, to follow Mohammad, we have an obligation to protect everyone's right to follow whatever faith they want or need to follow.