Freedom of religion and Voltaire

Dear editor:

A number of centuries ago Voltaire said it best. To quote him: “If there were only one religion in England one would have to be afraid of despotism. It there were two they would cut each other’s throats. But there are thirty, and they live happily in peace.” What an insight that even makes sense today. If you take a careful look you will understand why our founding fathers made a point of leaving religion out of our government.

In Afghanistan the despotic Taliban government insisted that everyone follow their form of religion or suffer the consequences. No other religions are allowed to exist in their form of theocracy.

In Iraq Sunni and Shiite are at each other’s throats, killing because of differences in their two religions that share a common base. A civil war is a constant danger.

But in the United States there are a multitude of religious beliefs, related and unrelated. We live in somewhat of a religious peace.

Someone ought to bring these points out to the Southern Baptist Conference and other evangelical groups that feel the need to convert everyone to their way of thinking and prayer, and even go so far as to demand that a candidate for president follow their lead. Talk about despotism.

Thank you Voltaire for your foresight that still holds true today. Now if we could only get some groups to read and understand your writings.