In the search for peace among men, some religions seem to be going astray

Sunday, August 20, 2006 EDITOR: Let me begin by saying that we are who we are or what we are because of two things: heredity and environment. I am an African-American. In actuality, I was born in U.S.A. But I am of African ancestry. I became a Christian and a Baptist because both of my parents were Christians and of the Baptist denomination. If my parents were Jewish, Italian, Germans, Russians, etc. — then what would I have been? If my parents were of a different religious faith, or denomination, such as Jewish, Hindu, Islam, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, etc., just what do you think I would have been? So, give this some thought. My conclusion is that we are who we are because of heredity and environment. At age 81, my assessment of religion is that there is no superior religion. In 1951, when I was called into the ministry, I enrolled in Youngstown College and majored in philosophy and religion. It was an eye-opener for me to know that there is no superior religion. I learned that any religion that is authentic must embrace two basic principles: Love for God, whatever the name, and love for your fellow man. At this moment, I do not see either Judaism in Israel nor Christianity in the United States being demonstrated as authentic religions. As I was growing up as a young person, I was taught that the Jews were God's chosen people, but as I became mature, I remember what my father taught me. He said, "Son, don't let anybody do your thinking, because they can't do your living. And don't let anybody do your living, because they can't do your dying." My reasoning is, if the Jews are God's chosen people, then where does that leave me? Does God think more of Jews than He does me? I don't think so. In my understanding of biblical history, God has always been on the side of the oppressed people of the world. And if we as religious people are going to live out our faith, we too, must demonstrate love, peace and justice to all mankind, especially the left out, the locked out, and the lost. According to my observations and study, I have concluded that religion down through the years has been and still is a hindrance to peace. In my having embraced the Christian faith as taught and lived by Jesus when He was on earth, I still have hope that peace is possible in this present age. The two of us, regardless of race, creed or color, walking hand in hand, is a sign that there can be peace throughout the land. The Rev. LONNIE K.A. SIMON Campbell