RELIGION: Careful what you call false

George Ricks in response to your letter; I am certain that the Hindus, Buddhists, etc. to include the Jews, would also regard your religion as false. Undoubtedly from the letter you had published in the Coeur d’Alene Press on May 22, representatives of these different religions would have every good reason to do so.

The Jewish Jesus (being of a religion that your letter regards as false) declared to his followers to not only love God, but also their neighbors. The two greatest commandments to exist in the New Testament. From there the baptized Jesus further argued, not only do you love your neighbors, you love your enemy too. While it is true that the Jewish and anointed Jesus did declare, none may come by the father, save by me. It does not grant you Mr. Ricks, a particular license to judge, hate, or condemn those who do not believe as you. Because quite frankly what the Jewish King of Israel said, first applies to people, who claim an association with himself. And that finally this verse found in the New Testament, in regard to those who are deemed ignorant: but they are better off than the people, who are educated in the laws of God. The latter who have this knowledge, yet in their actions absolutely reject the ways of God.

In closing; the Hindu, Buddhist, etc. might be regarded as “ignorant,” with respect to knowledge of both testaments of the Bible. On the other hand, they regard their scriptures as holy. And give their own names to a supreme being, that they also recognize as God. Mr. Ricks, no one has to “label you a hate-monger.” You’ve already done a very good job of giving that label to yourself.

JOAN E. HARMAN

Coeur d’Alene