Arguing Over Left and Right, Good and Evil

“Made-in-America Wahhabism” (Commentary, March 8) is irresponsible journalism. When Christian fundamentalists begin killing people in the name of God in order to overthrow governments and institute theocracy, then it will be fine to make the comparison.

When, as a whole, they think it is right and good to murder thousands, then they will be like Middle East fundamentalists. Until then, please hold back this kind of hate.

Let’s argue about policy, or whether religious values should be separated from politics, but this kind of name-calling is immature and irresponsible.

Rob Moll

Online Assistant Editor

ChristianityToday

Carol Stream, Ill.

Kudos to William Thatcher Dowell’s commentary. All I can add is that the last thing this country needs is another “faith-based initiative” like 9/11.

Anthony Lawrence

Pacific Palisades

While it is foolish to expect logic or even consistency from religious fundamentalists, Dowell’s point about their “selective interpretations of Scripture” is well taken.

Indeed, the religious right’s obsession with homosexuality -- above all else -- never ceases to astound. For in terms of “saving” the institution of marriage, it is surely the case that in even the reddest of red states, adultery destroys more marriages than all of the gay unions (civil or otherwise) in the universe combined.

And yet, one never hears leaders of the religious right calling for, say, a constitutional amendment making adultery a capital crime (see Leviticus 20:10).

Could it be because too many of them, not to mention a sizable chunk of our current, values-mongering Congress, might end up on death row?

Kenneth C. Benson

New York

Amen! I thought no one would ever say it. The president’s frequent refrain that terrorists hate freedom cannot be more ironic. Fundamentalist Islam’s objection to Western culture is that it is too free with sex, ideas, education and money. That’s just what they’re fighting so virulently for -- a rigid, oppressive theocracy, heavily armed and brutally patriarchal. How on Earth does that differ from the objectives of our religious right and the present-day Republican Party?

America has turned ugly and strange. Let’s not stop talking about it.

Tracy Figler

Reno

Dowell’s entire premise is backward. The extremism in this country is being practiced by the secularist left, which is on a mission to remove all public displays of religiosity. The American Civil Liberties Union wants to remove a monument in Texas that’s been in place since 1961. God was added to the Pledge of Allegiance more than 50 years ago, but atheist Michael Newdow is on a crusade to remove him. Others wish to erase “In God We Trust” from our currency. And don’t forget the recent attacks on the Los Angeles County seal. Dowell’s claim is vacuous. The extremist left is on a jihad against the Christian right.

Dave Pierre

Downey

The founding fathers had a clear view of the religious strife that had engulfed Europe prior to the signing of the American Constitution. Much has been made about the constitutional wordings that discussed religion. It can best be articulated with the following: Religion -- united we fall; divided we stand. The founding fathers chose the option of “standing.”

Roy Fassel

Los Angeles