Letter: Religion used as a weapon

Monday, Nov. 5, 2001 | 9:01 a.m.

I, as an American citizen, will defend the right of any other American citizen to worship as they see fit as long as that pursuit does not harm anyone nor restrict others from doing the same. That is what draws people to our shores from all over the world.

By the same token I will expose to the light of truth and reason any form of worship that is being used as a vehicle to recruit soldiers to commit acts of war. The leaders of nations who use religion as a weapon should be eliminated and the leaders of a religion who use their dogma for this purpose should be eliminated also, regardless of which religion it may be.

Our current situation demonstrates the absolute necessity and reason for having the separation of church and state that exists in America. Government cannot be religion and religion cannot be government.

The nations that use this blend of historical nationalism and religious dogma relating to Islam must be viewed as more dangerous to the world than communism. Every means at our disposal should be used in this war to rid the world of this mass insanity before it can spread any further than it already has. This burden became ours to carry on Sept. 11. I trust that we possess the wisdom, courage and knowledge to meet this challenge.

DAVID BAKER