Letter: Aid workers were fortunate to be set free

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2001 | 8:43 a.m.

I'm glad the aid workers held by the Taliban are free. They were accused of preaching Christianity to Muslims and attempting to convert them. They have admitted to discussing religion, giving out videos and Christian literature, and could have faced expulsion, prison, or death if found guilty.

They went to provide aid and relief, and were very brave to have gone. They were also irresponsible and arrogant.

They were irresponsible because they knew they were not welcome in Afghanistan, where it is against the law to proselytize. Their families, the Red Cross, the military and others were handed the responsibility, burden and the danger involved in getting them out.

It was, and is, arrogant to tell those of the Muslim faith, or any other faith, that they've got it all wrong, they're misguided, misled and missing out on knowing the "real" truth. In essence, these workers (if the charges were true) were saying "my religion's better than yours." Well, they may believe that's true, but to billions it is not.

No religion should judge or denigrate the belief systems of the others. For to denigrate is to incite religion-based hatred and resentment, which is the cause of the religious wars we've seen throughout our history.

Fundamentalists and extremists from any and all religions who cling to the "mine is better" philosophy must be stopped from forcing their will and beliefs on others. The peace and harmony of the world depend on it.

JOYCE SEGAL