Hi Susan,

Thank you for the interesting post.

I think there is a problem with throwing the baby out with the proverbial bathwater.
I agree totally wiith building alliances rather than operating on adversity.

I think the best protest or agitation comes from a deep sense of commitment and an avoidance of emnity and anger. I think that this is within the province of those who are believers or non-believers of any religious faith.

It will take a community of people with good will to respond to the injustice that we now face in a sociopathic political administration.

I take your point about healing and fixing the broken parts of a system. My view is that
the system that works for the benefit of society can include many parts, those who believe in a faith and those who do not. I think that it is necessary to understand all parts of any system that affects how society works. I think that inclusion as best as it can be acheived
is an ethical and noble goal if there is honest agreement in those working together.

I have respect for many people who are religious. I see many sincere folks as seeking
truths for their lives and I think this is a constructive pursuit. Secularism is another one of those labels that fail to define everyone who applies it to themselves. What is really scary to me is a closed mind and an unwillingness to investigate that which is sometimes uncomfortable to talk about. Here, the labels of secularist or relgionist become masks for
dealing with the real issues. One main issue for me is to explore how can a society exist without using the option of war and emnity as problem solvers.

Some see religion as creating a polarization and accuse others who don't believe as contributing to it. I think this comes down to the individual. There are polarizing
people who derive something from this behavior whether religious or not.

So people have to find their own way toward the goal of creating a free and peaceful society. I agree that we all have a lot to learn.

I thank you for your honest and thoughtful responses, and when it comes to education,
values, wanting the best that we can have for society, and seeing a mission to help people discover the joy of music, I know we are on the same page.

As we discuss these issues of religion I see an opening that augurs a change that is
beneficial for everyone. It doesn't have to be a line-in-the-sand discussion but can
be a vehicle for intelligent exchange of ideas.

I admire that you wanted to explore other avenues of your life which required courage.

I think you articulated your position well.

Frank