It's wrong to bash religion despite what you believe in

Editor,

After reading Joachim Oberst's letter in Thursday's Daily Lobo, I can only assume his faith is one of hate and malice toward those who do not share his views.

He is a stated instructor at UNM, but of what? Ten Ways to Bash Christianity?

Here is a man who has complained about everything about the legitimate and legal presidency of President Bush. Fine. We've all heard his incessant whining, and I can say most of us are tired of it.

In fact, as a Christian, I am getting tired of people claiming that you can't be Christian and in the White House. It is disgusting and offensive. Why is it perfectly OK to bash, brow-beat and slam Christianity while it is wrong to do likewise to Islam, Hinduism, Taoism or any other religion?

I would like to ask Oberst what faith he is of, because his lack of knowledge of what is actually in the Bible eliminates him from being a Christian. I wonder about this because Oberst is presenting a very angry and cruel example of what the rest of the people of his faith would be like.

I'm going to call Oberst on his claim, which is akin to asking, "How can you be Muslim and love America?"

I'll bet that was pretty offensive to a lot of Muslims at UNM because, for some illogical reason, it is wrong to say anything bad about Islam. Buddhists, you believe that the path to enlightenment is suffering. Why don't you go and mass murder a whole bunch of people to induce suffering on a grand scale? Pagans, you lack a moral compass, so how can you love America?

Now I know these statements were hurtful and aren't true. I know plenty of Muslims, Buddhists and members of other faiths who love America and are loving people.

However, does everyone see how these statements are just hurtful insults? I hope no person believes these things, but one cannot expect to make these irrational statements about Christianity and hope Christians will lie down and take it.

We're not doormats. Let me ask this one question to non-Christians: Why do you hate or fear us so much?

It cannot be because you feel condemned; most religions do that in some form. If you don't suffer, you will not receive enlightenment and therefore never return to nirvana. If you don't pray to Allah, you will never go to paradise after you die. If you do not perform good deeds in this life, you will not progress to the next stage of incarnation.

These don't seem all that nice to me. I know my faith has its little condemnation spiel to it, but I also know most other faiths do to. So, I ask again: Why do non-Christians hate or fear us?

Aaron Lenard

UNM student