TheWiseOldFart

When I was a very young man, my grandfather taught me that religion is a personal choice and not to be an issue in any conversation. He was a helluva lot smarter than every right-wing politician in America. He believed in the First Amendment: professional politicians do not. I was raised Catholic and considered entering the priesthood until I learned that Catholic priests are not allowed to marry. I didn’t understand. Other children I knew who were protestant or Jewish told me their ministers and rabbis had normal lives. I liked girls. By the time I was a sophomore in high school, I had begun to move away from all organized religion. I studied the effect of organized religion on its followers, and understood to some degree the need for many people to seek guidance. I view organized religion in two very different ways. First, I see it is a way for men to control other men and become very wealthy doing so. The other side is more of a sincere desire to help other people survive difficult ...

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart I will be the object of serious, angry assaults from thousands of people after I complete this article. However, I will cherish the. I have the ability to think clearly and independently, and then form an opinion. Then I am able to do the right thing, at least the right thing for me. Over the last 40+ years I witnessed the once private issue of religion become a political issue in America. Although the First Amendment specifically prevents the establishment of one religion as the true faith of the United States, one party has aligned themselves with the Christian Religious Right in direct violation of the first sentence of the First Amendment. I Am Offering my Opinions Based on Years of Personal Experience and What has Happened Around the World for my 77 Years Some of the most dangerous individuals to world peace and personal independence are Priests, Ministers, Pastors, Rabbis, Imams, and all other religious leaders. These men and women often place their person...

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart   Everyone and everything somehow receive a free pass when done in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the basic Christian philosophy, if you are one of millions who use the Bible for your own benefit, to protect your personal beliefs. Not for true believers. I dare anyone who proclaims themselves to be a Christian, to show me anywhere in the New Testament where Christ encourages and approves torture and murder. Until I was 16, I was a Catholic. As a pre-teen I considered the priesthood as an option. I read the Bible, and continue to believe that Jesus Christ was a man of peace and love. It is of no concern for me if He was the Son of God, or a prophet, his words had deep, spiritual meaning. Someone should explain these facts to radical “Christian” groups, supported by many of our leaders in Washington, including the last Supreme Court Justice confirmed by Moscow Mitch McConnell’s political party. On Thursday, 9/14/23, five adults and one 15-year-old girl were...