Religion is a personal,private right:unique to each individual's life experience and learning.In America we live with the idea of freedom of religion.But sadly,this right os slowly being eroded because theocrats want to turn this country into a Christian version of most all Middle Eastern countries.,where people are put to death for the simple fact that they convert to another religion other than Islam or choose not to worship at all.

It is true that religious organizations in our modern era are doing a lot of good around the world, filling dire needs to the best of their ability with people such as Desmond Tutu,Ghandi,Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Theresa being shining examples of what people in such organizations can do when they put their faith to good use.

But history also shows us what happens when religious fanaticism goes unchecked.Religion has been the number one reason that wars have been fought throughout history.In America today,religion is beginning to be used as opium.A year of two ago I heard a story on the Randi Rhodes show where some place in the state of Maine people go to and bring their invoices and form a bonfire and burn all their debts,hoping that God will magically make thier bad debts disappear.This is sheer lunancy.Responsible government initiatives as well as better personal responsibility on these individuals parts would solve their problem.

It will be interesting to see how far the Christian conservative movement will take things in this country.With such ideas as hanging the Ten Commandments in all the courthouses and "Intelligent Design" being taught in our schools,it is clear that their design is for mandatory conversion to Christianity.