Voices: Faith

May 29, 2009 06:55 pm

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This is in response to Cal Thomas’ column and Dee Wampler’s letter in the May 20 edition of the Globe.
Christians fervently believe in ascension into heaven (or hell) of the human soul. Hindus believe in reincarnation of that same soul into a different form of life back on Earth. Sort of like soul recycling, I suppose. Some Muslims believe that 70 virgins await their bidding upon arrival in heaven. They don’t mention how the virgins may feel about that belief. Some folks believe that there is no soul, and it is pure dust to dust after death.
None of us can see with human eyes across the great divide and know for sure exactly what follows death of the human body. We all can see with “eyes of faith,” however, depending upon which faith we accept. The Constitution allows freedom of religion. To me that allows anyone to have any faith with which to view the unknowable. The same goes for creation.
Dee Wampler looked for written words proving Christian faith on the part of the Founding Fathers. Folks on the left look for written words supporting privacy (choice) from those same Fathers. Right-wing folks justify written words (2nd Amendment) to bear arms whose only purpose is killing (OK, killing for protection against other would-be killers). The last time I checked the Ten Commandments, killing was prohibited. I can find biblical reference to outlaw eating lobster, much to the chagrin of folks in Maine.
In my view, government has no business dictating matters of faith. We should all be free to follow the precepts of any faith (or even lack of faith) in accordance with the Constitution. When political arguments take on the mantle of faith to justify legislation for all people of all faiths, such arguments are weak to my human, as well as spiritual, ears.
Anson Burlingame
Joplin