Freedom from religion

The Qur’an burning stunt has shown us, once again, that religion can be a major divider in society. Without going back in time to the Inquisition, the mingling of religion and state politics in modern days resurfaced again some nine years ago on September 11. At that time and when the event occurred, none of the major religious leaders had the courage nor the good sense to quell the fire before it started to rage, by calling the act an isolated one, that had nothing to do with the spirit of religion and had to be relegated to a vile exploitation of faith. The same happened this week with that crazy Gainesville preacher who set to burn holy books. First, the media gave the man too large a pulpit and second, the world religious leaders remained apathetic for too long. It seemed as if each one worshiped a different, “superior” God, which on paper isn't the supposed to be the case among Abrahamic religions, but in reality is, as the competition between the varying denominations or branches is undeniable; “my God's better than yours” type argument.

Faced with that dysfunction, government leaders had to step out, take positions and admonish the instigator to “cease or desist,” but this should not have to be the case. My guess is that Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and the most fundamental members of the Republican Party must have poured gasoline on that firing conflict and supported it as far as they could, but that doesn't really matter. There should be a separation between state and religion and folks like me, that are either agnostic or non-religious, should never be taken into the midst of that unproductive crossfire. We aren't a theocracy yet and have no desire to become one; so, once and for all, let's have religion remain and stay private.