I received a forwarded email yesterday alerting me that our democratic forerunner, Obama, is a Muslim.  The email said that he was hiding his own Islamic background and now the terrorists have one of their “own” almost seated in the highest office of the United States. 

After reading the email I was thinking that if this is the kind of thing people are sending to each other, it’s no wonder Obama wants to hide his religion.  Honestly, I don’t really care what religion he is as long as he looks out for the good of mankind. 

Every other candidate running is predominately Christian.  There are a few Catholics, a Mormon, and undoubtedly a closet Baptist or two.  With the current president as an evangelical constantly warning us all against countries that are, coincidentally, predominantly Muslim, it’s no wonder that certain members of our population have fallen into the trap of equating certain religions with negativity. 

Ahhh…the Catholics.  I have nothing against the Catholic church, but, since we’re grouping everyone into categories anyway, why not label all Catholics….killers.  Yes, I know they are against abortion and promote love and peace (sort of), but history will tell us that the Catholics have caused more war and bloodshed than any other religion.  In fact, more wars were started and fought in the name of Christianity than Islam and Judaism combined. 

Yes, there are Muslim extremists, but there are also Christian extremists who are just as willing to die for their religion as any of the terrorists.  They’re currently not targeting anyone outside the U.S. (you can usually find these individuals picketing outside abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood), so we don’t notice them as much.  I have yet to meet a Jewish extremist, but I’m sure they exist. 

Extremism, terrorism, and violence are a matter of the mind, not faith.  Individuals prone to violent acts will do it for any cause, they just happen to do it for their religion.  There are people all over the world who kill, maim, torture, and rape people for different reasons.  Just because they do it for personal reasons as opposed to religious does it make them any less dangerous? 

Religion can be as beautiful as it is powerful.  Over time clergyman have exploited populations through organized religions in order to gain and maintain power and control over the people.  Individuals still do this, especially through weakness like poverty and fear, making poor countries increasingly susceptible to these influences. 

If you look at most of the major religions, they are based on peace and love, not hate or violence.  Most of the Muslims I have met in my life have been loving, generous people who have welcomed me into their lives and their homes.  Would it really be bad to have a Muslim President of the United States?

Although, with our supposed separation of religion and state, why should it matter anyway?  Maybe we should find a Buddhist candidate.