Hi, Peter - I have no regrets about having voted for Kerry. I think he's a good man; and I really like his balance and common sense, and his thoughtful, non-ideological way of presenting his ideas. However, I thought his answers on the religion issue were not quite as satisfying as his other answers. In general, I thought his way of speaking was refreshingly frank and clear. I got the feeling that he may have had a bit too much pressure on the religion issue and may have been too cautious. I'd like to hear what he really thinks on the religion stuff, and I don't think he had the opportunity to express that.

Remember, Peter, that I don't look on religious faith as a code of rules and doctrines that a person has to swallow hook, line, and sinker. I see faith as a way of thinking and living in relationship with God and with God's creation. I think the churches and society in general have to do some serious thinking and redevelop their theology of sexuality - both heterosexual and homosexual. I think the conservatives are too rigid, and too eager to stick their noses into other people's bedrooms. I think the liberals are too suavely politically correct to see that there are real issues that must be explored if we are to preserve the idea of sex and marriage as something sacred.

I think that if two people of opposite sexes or the same sex are willing to commit themselves to each other in a lifelong relationship, the state should recognize that as marriage. I also think that those churches that are ready to accept gay marriage, should perform and bless gay marriage ceremonies. I would gladly attend such a ceremony if I had gay friends getting married.

Most of the churches just aren't at the point of accepting gay marriage. Too many of their members just wouldn't understand, and performing gay weddings would tear those churches apart. In a wedding, a church blesses a marriage in the name of God and of its members. If a large minority of members of a church are not ready to bless such a marriage, then it isn't time yet to perform such marriages in that particular church. This fits my thinking that religious faith is not imposed on people. When the people are ready (with a little nudging, perhaps), then will be the proper time - but the people will never be ready until the churches develop and teach a solid and sensible theology of sexuality that addresses the realities of life in the 21st century.

And yes, I suppose your stuff on the graven images makes sense - IF you as a nonbeliever insist that a fundamentalist interpretation is the only valid interpretation of scripture. I think that's imposing an inflexibility upon scripture that was never intended by the authors. I can't understand why so many nonbelievers look on the Bible through fundamentalist eyes.

As for displays of the ten commandments before and after 1960, I'd say 1960 is an approximate date - and perhaps the dividing line should be a little later. Through the 1950's, Judeo-Christian practices were an integral part of our culture and history - for better or worse. Many of those practices are still present as a natural part of our language and culture. I think it's wrong to cleanse those things from our culture, to sanitize life so no one need be offended by religion. That failure to recognize and respect the religious aspect of our culture is just as intolerant as a failure to recognize the racial and cultural identities of others. Tolerance demands a respect and perhaps even a celebration of all aspects of our diversity.

However, sometime between 1960 and 1980, extremist Christians began to use their religious practices as weapons, and attempted to impose their views on all of society. There's a perfect example of it on the front of the courthouse near Mudcat Central in West Chester, Pennsylvania - a rather new metal Ten Commandments sign on the front wall of the courthouse. It looks like a "No Parking" sign, but with the Ten Coomandments on it instead. It doesn't fit the history or the architecture of the building at all - it was posted by some Christians trying to use their beliefs as a weapon. Same with the Ten Commandments memorial that was erected in the Supreme Court of Alabama. If it had been there a hundred years, it would be a shame to remove it because it would have become part of our history and culture - like statues of the Buddha in Afghanistan that the Taliban destroyed.

What about the names of cities all over the United States? Do we have to rename St. Louis and Santa Monica and San Francisco and Santa Cruz? Should we ban Christian Brothers brandy from liquor stores? Sounds like ethnic cleansing to me. I don't like it.

I think it's wrong to take offense at somebody wishing you "Merry Christmas," too - unless they're doing it to proves some sort of Christmas superiority.

Happy holidays, Peter.

-Joe Offer-