Religion has been used to deny rights

Yes, Mr. Carver, I did applaud Mr. Meril for not citing his religious beliefs in the debate about gay marriage. However, that does not mean that I do not believe in God and morality. It simply means I believe the words of the Bible and other religious texts have been used as reasons for denying basic human rights. Racists cite Biblical verses. Anti-Semites quote passages. Peaceful Muslims use the words of the Koran to justify male dominance. Muslim terrorists cite passages that seem to justify their actions.

The Bible was used as a justification for the Crusades (Dark Ages), setting European achievement and advancement of man back a hundred years. So your argument, Mr. Carver, that the knowledge of God does not limit the advancement of man holds true only when that knowledge is not used as a justification for denying rights to people whose religious beliefs are different from yours.

You state that "Moral discourse without religion is playing the game without a rule book and that, with God, all things are possible; or, without God, all things are permissible."

However, the words of an entity considered to be a supreme being (be it God. Mohammed, Buddha, Zeus, Caesar, etc.) have been used to justify hatred, rape, pillage, subjugation, genocide, slavery, conquest, and other inhumane acts.

As I'm pretty sure that someone out there in Fence Post land will dismiss any religious beliefs except Judeo-Christian, I call to their attention The Ten Commandments and The Golden Rule. Those words can, in no way, be twisted; either you believe in them or you don't.

And the Golden Rule is very clear - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So, unless you accede to having your basic human rights removed by people who don't adhere to the same religious beliefs that you adhere to, please stay using religion as a basis for denying human rights to others.

Judith A. Carlson

Des Plaines