It seems so very apparent to me that religious faith is the problem in nearly all of our disagreements in the Middle East and here at home.
    Faith is defined in most dictionaries as: “belief in something for which there is no proof.” It seems a shame that in the 21st century, so many people are living with blind faith, when people don’t have the moral backbone to question their own faith (most will readily question the faith of others, we end up with people willing to die for many things of faith that have no foundation in truth.
    Truth and faith do not go together. Faith is what makes the Jewish people believe they are Gods chosen people. Faith is what makes Christians believe that the Bible is Gods infallible word.
    Faith is what makes Muslims believe the Koran is Gods guidance to them.
    Faith is what makes Mormons believe that the same God waited for someone in the United States to write the final chapter in his many books.
    All are willing to question the others but aren’t honest enough to question their own.
    Let’s hope that someday reason, logic, honesty and integrity will replace faith.
    People will be much more likely to accept different views, attitudes and values.
    Maybe we will even find peace in this world.

I am a 81-year-old vet with 27 years of active duty. I strongly feel that this country has a long way to go before we realize the freedoms we so loudly espouse. US history, for me, is a big case of "we talk the talk but don't walk the walk."

There has been a lack of freedom since the beginning of our history. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights was written by well-meaning men who because of their religion and education didn't truly realize that black people were human beings. Many, including at least one president, fathered children from their female slaves.

Various religious sects have disavowed one another from the beginning. Catholics were feared and mistreated until Kennedy was elected.

We screwed the Native Americans and many Mexicans out of their land. The only people who realized the American dream, until about 60 years ago, were white protestant males.

This is a great country and I love it, but it is not the one I really wish for.

We need to get religion out of politics. Religious faith has, and still is, killing more people than most serious epidemics.

We need to start, here and around the world, an educational system that teaches the "big bang" and evolution are real. When mankind accepts the fact that the supernatural start of this universe and mankind, is not the God of the Torah, the Koran, the Bible, or the Book of Mormon, we may be on the way to peace.

It is going to happen. Unfortunately it will take generations and millions more will die for their faith before it does.

Larry J. Kluth (Lt.Col. USAF Ret.)