Letter to the Editor: Ignorance breeds fear

By Wayne E. Hardy, Tulsa - 11/3/2009


Group A believes their religion is the right one. Group B is just as certain their religion is the only true path. There are other religious groups as well, C, D, E, etc, a whole alphabet of belief systems.

For centuries, wars have been fought over these differences. Groups have splintered, creating sub-groups because they can't agree. The venom spewed forth against other religious groups is the result of fear. An example of such fear is the letter penned by Lonnie Haughey ("Irony of Message," Oct. 26).

Ignorance of other religions and even ignorance of one's own religion breeds this kind of fear. No informed person would presume that the zealots who kill and torture people because they disagree with them are true followers of their espoused faith. Remember the Inquisition?

Religious groups study their holy texts, deciphering meanings, sharing insights. How many study the history of their chosen religion? Were they influenced by other religions? How did their holy texts evolve over centuries of time?

I agree with Haughey that religion is critical and should be allowed in our schools. A survey course on world religions at the high school level would provide insight into all major religions, how they evolved, and how they affected and were affected by politics of the day. It would enhance students' understanding of history as well as current affairs.

Fear grows in darkness. Knowledge provides light.







Letters to the editor are encouraged. Each letter must be signed and include an address and a telephone number where the writer can be reached during business hours. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters should be a maximum of 250 words to be considered for publication and may be edited for length, style and grammar. Letters should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, Tulsa World, Box 1770, Tulsa, Okla., 74102, or send e-mail to letters@tulsaworld.com.



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Tulsa World Reader Comments
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fcol, (11/3/2009 4:55:04 AM)
From Wayne's letter: "A survey course on world religions at the high school level would provide insight into all major religions, how they evolved, and how they affected and were affected by politics of the day. It would enhance students' understanding of history as well as current affairs." = = = I also think that's a good idea, but only if done as you described. Knowledge and understanding of religions could make a huge difference in leading toward tolerance going forward. There's a huge difference between teaching religious history and introducing prayer in public school. High school kids are old enough to be objective and curious enough to gain from the experience.

Alan Shore, (11/3/2009 6:18:13 AM)
If fear grows in darkness, maybe Oklahoma has the same sun schedule as winter in thr Arctic...

Michael Phillips, Tulsa (11/3/2009 6:37:43 AM)
I know there are courses like this being taught, but I can see the potential for serious conflict. If Islamic terrorism is referred to in the class Muslims will be annoyed, if it isn't referred to some christians might be annoyed. Some children, including christians, might see their own religion the way others do and begin questioning things they wouldn't have questioned before. That won't make a devout parent happy.

Hijinx, (11/3/2009 6:44:50 AM)
Great letter Mr. Hardy And yes as fcol said, teaching religion history’s is much different that school prayer. I also agree that with that knowledge they may just come away with a different perspective. And thats not something to fear.

insider, Tulsa (11/3/2009 6:55:03 AM)
I teach that in my world history course. It is great. Most of the students really have no clue about all the other belief systems out there, including Christianity. Seriously, it seems that many of the high school students do not have a clue about religion, be it Christian, Judaism, Islam. They ask many questions. They are amazed when they learn something different then what they thought. Education opens eyes and expands minds. However, I will get that one student every once in a while who speaks out against any religion but the Christian religion. They refuse to open their eyes to the possibilities that other religions and belief systems exist.

Willard_Roker, (11/3/2009 7:42:06 AM)
It would be nice if people would look at what is the same in all religions rather than fight over the differences. It seems dogma has become more important than the core message.

Polar Bear, (11/3/2009 7:54:28 AM)
Religion has been used to promote war and phoney"patriotism" from the start of "Civilization".The gospel of Prosperity has added a new demention..God wnts you to be rich and shop and destroy the Planet..As the World Burns.....

Carl, Henryetta (11/3/2009 8:04:41 AM)
Michael Phillips: "...Some children, including christians, might see their own religion the way others do and begin questioning things they wouldn't have questioned before. That won't make a devout parent happy...." . .. (shudder...gasp) QUESTIONING??? God forbid anyone should question the "authorities".......

Oldfatdude, Shàngdu (11/3/2009 8:13:28 AM)
Regarding ignorance, I think people would be surprised to find out how uninformed a lot of people are on a LOT of subjects. Some time ago, while working in a blue-collar job, we got a new employee from Africa. One person asked him "Do they have roads in Aferca?" That person only knew Africa from old Tarzan movies. I agree, the more you can educate our youth, including the various religions, the better understanding they will have of the world. Too bad that thought is so idealistic.

peelumba, (11/3/2009 8:21:04 AM)
yes carl, you and Michael in a round about way hit it on the head. Questioning the old views? shudder at the thought!..lol Climb out of the thoughtless hypcritical game of religion and get on with your lives.....it's as bad as the shell game on the corner. Take responsibility for yourselves and please use your brains for something!

dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/3/2009 8:24:51 AM)
This is a well put together letter. Kudos. Religion is the opiate of the masses. Nothing more needs to be said. Now call me a communist. I don't even know if Karl Marx or Lenin said that. But it is true. Common logic says that all religions can't be correct when they say THEIR religion is the only true religion. Or as the Mormons say, ONLY THEIR religion can attain the highest level of heaven. Either way it's a crock.

staggerwing, tulsa (11/3/2009 8:39:57 AM)
Religion is the opiate of the masses. The quotation originates from Karl Maxs' introduction of his 1843 work Contribution to Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right

dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/3/2009 8:43:48 AM)
Thanks Stagger. LOL Now you're going to be called a Communist. NO WAIT!! We both are for opposing such a nutcase idea as giving taxpayer money to religious zealots to run a private prison. Holy Toledo can you imagine? The Spanish Inquisition is baccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkk.

FS, Broken Arrow (11/3/2009 9:01:43 AM)
dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/3/2009 8:43:48 AM) Thanks Stagger. LOL Now you're going to be called a Communist. ... snip ________________________ Only if he's left handed ...

dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:03:56 AM)
Hahahahaha (suspicious look). Okay Stagger. What about it?

yep, Tulsa County (11/3/2009 9:05:12 AM)
I'm not religious, but using Marx's quotes like that is the same as trusting Jeffery Dahmer's recommendations on steak sauce as the best/right. When I was in school, we discussed history of various religions in several history classes. There was also a regilion history elective that covered a variety of religions. In these classes, there were no liberals bashing the religious as being stupid, and there were no conservatives trying to sway/convince/save the kids...it was simply a teacher discussing history in an apolitical light. As such, there were no disagreements, problems, etc. I see no problem with this type of thing. I wouldn't want my kids involved in any type of "indoctrination" (whether it be severly right or left leaning), but a religious history class is very educational. On another note, I find it interesting how the non-believers in the TW comments frequently judge and rail on the believers as being closed-minded, dumb, unable to see the truth of things. Isn't that exactly what they complain about the believers doing to them? What's wrong with just saying "Hey, the guy is entitled to believe in a ghost if he wants, doesn't matter to me," and just go about your business unaffected? Seems like the more open-minded thing to do.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:15:32 AM)
Here's the results of a Washington Post study of how many Americans believe in God: (keep in mind, the Post is a liberal newspaper) "The study detailed Americans' deep and broad religiosity, finding that 92 percent believe in God or a universal spirit -- including one in five of those who call themselves atheists. More than half of Americans polled pray at least once a day." Maybe 92 percent of people are wrong. I'll pray for those atheists who think so.

dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:22:36 AM)
92 percent of the people who believe in God are not right wing extremists. If this were the case then the right wing would never be out of power in the White House or either house of Congress. The truth is about 20% of Christians are right wing extremist religious freak nutcases. The rest are normal people. This is a common tactic of the Christian right extremists. They get called on their extremism and they immediately retreat under the umbrella of Christianity and claim "persecution". And start quoting statistics. The Methodists, the Lutherans, the MAJORITY of Christians want nothing to do with the so called "Christian right".

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:26:44 AM)
"Religion is the opiate of the masses. Nothing more needs to be said." Would anyone listen to the person that made that statement? I don't think so....

dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:32:38 AM)
I believe in God so I would be one of the 92%. What I don't believe in is right wing extremists using God as a crutch to destroy this nation with false wars and deficit spending for their financial backers as the Great Traitors GW Bush and Richard Cheney did. I don't judge for God as right wingers do but I would be seriously nervous about my salvation if I were a right winger. SERIOUSLY.

TonyQ, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:36:02 AM)
Corvetteguy, But it's not that simple is it? Because among those alleged 92%, beliefs differ widely. Sometimes they contradict each other, so it's not really about belief vs. nonbelief. It's nonbelief vs. a million different types of belief. I feel that anyone sufficiently educated has no choice but to give up any belief in the supernatural. That most people are not sufficiently educated is not a surprise.

dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:36:39 AM)
There is a grand canyon's worth of difference in believing in God and believing in the right wing extremist's version of God.

dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:37:56 AM)
The extremist Christian right's version of God is closer to the Taliban's version of Islam than it is to the mainstream Christianity.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/3/2009 9:44:03 AM)
TonyQ, good points, but....how would you explain why such a high percentage of American medical doctors are Christians? p.s. thanks for engaging in civil debate without just spewing ignorant hatred. Your views are appreciated.

uklynbereg, (11/3/2009 9:50:54 AM)
If religious ignorance breeds fear, why are so many fundamentalists running around like Chicken Little, saying the sky is falling? They're afraid that if kids go trick-or-treating, they're flirting with Satan. If they're not home schooled, society will corrupt them. Gays are homosexual by choice and can influence kids to "turn." Their fears also creep into the political realm, which they put to vote, often with disastrous consequences.


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