Editor:
This is in response to Denise Frank's arguments in her column, "Religion does not justify murder" (Nov. 10).
Denise, you start your argument with the premise that ". religions have at one time or another killed in the name of their god, breaking a basic human moral law: murder is wrong." You then go on to say that religions are "evil" because they "give justification for acting amorally." How ironic, considering that the concepts of good and evil are themselves derived from religion. Based only on the observations of our universe, humans cannot argue that there is anything inherently "evil." An action may be dysfunctional to a society under a certain set of conditions, but that doesn't imply that it is absolutely "evil."
Why then, do you say that murder is wrong to all humans? There are tribes, even today, which practice cannibalism without a thought about its morality.
What about you, Denise? Would you not defend yourself (kill) if our country was to be invaded by people wishing to kill and enslave us?
There is no evidence that there such an entity as a "basic human moral" Ÿ our values appear to be relative. It is, in fact, the "evil" religions, such as Christianity, which hold that murder is always wrong. If you believe in good and evil at all (regardless of your views on religion), you are "relying heavily on faith."
It is true that religions, such as Christianity, have been misused. But then, a car can be used in a drive-by shooting. This fact doesn't imply that a car is evil. The teachings of Christ are those of love and kindness. Following these teachings will not lead to murder. If one were to follow Christ's teaching's completely, one would probably "turn the other cheek" instead of acting in self-defense.
I hope that pointing out the inconsistency in your argument doesn't turn you or anyone else into a murdering "heretic."
Daniel Elias Hickman
Engineering/Physics Senior