Duncan - Re: "Ban religion to advance cause of world peace", letter to the editor, Jan. 23.
John McDonald and Jesuit Priest Matthew Fox see organized religion as a cause of major wars on Earth throughout history.But they both acknowledge that it is the people who are selecting and interpreting passages from the holy scriptures who are violating the intent of the holy scriptures, which I think is to help us to love one another.The textbooks of religion, like those of philosophy and science, represent the works of many authors and many different belief systems. You can pretty well find support in these textbooks for anything you can think of.How many of your Christian teachers have you heard quote Psalm 82, Verse 6: "You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you."? Or Mark 11:23: "If you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you."? Both of these translations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Christian Bible.Some people choose the translation (version) which best supports their intent. The King James version of the Bible implies a God of unconditionallove in Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." But all the newer versions of this verse imply a God of conditional love: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" (NRSV).There are many people like me who have found great and inspiring teachings in the holy scriptures, teachings which have enabled us to accept the New Science, revealed by Max Planck in 1905: "A new (and ancient) awareness that we participate in a world of exquisite interconnectedness." (Margaret J. Wheatley)Robert RadfordDuncan