Pointing to God

Rabbi Harvey J. Fields certainly wrote a stirring appeal to the clergy and churches of the world (Letters, June 29) concerning the moral imperative “to exert pressure for peaceful solutions in the face of those who insist on the power of the fist, the gun and the bomb . . . .” particularly in South Africa.

I would disagree on one point, however. Fields says “the business of religion is to . . . work for the release of the oppressed and the relief of the victimized . . . to crash some sense over the heads of embittered competitive factions.” While religion can and should influence a society (as can other institutions), our primary strength is in pointing people to God. Historically, this has proven to be much more effective than standing in front of tanks to force a peaceful solution.

KENNETH ORR

Glendale