Editor:

This letter is in response to Vanessa Johnson’s letter (“Religion doesn’t really matter,” Dec. 2).

Yes, it would be wonderful for us all to get along. I think it’s very important that we take others’ feelings into consideration, and that we act respectfully toward each other. Therefore, you are right in your statements that a person’s religious beliefs shouldn’t make us treat him or her in a negative way.

I try to be open-minded and kind to people who are different from me. In that respect, I admire the point of your letter.

The one thing that bugs me is that you begin your letter by putting down religion. From what you said, it sounds as though you meant: “There is no real religion, so don’t knock others’ beliefs.” I don’t mean to attack, but who are you to say that there isn’t?

Not to mention that it would be hard to convince a religious person, such as myself, that if there were no God, life would be exactly the same-the moon would still affect the tides, the earth would still turn, etc. Most likely, religious people wouldn’t agree with you, but still you state your opinion like a verified fact.

A Christian would tell you that if there were no God, there would be no life because he created it. The same goes for many other religions. That doesn’t mean Christians can’t get along with Buddhists or atheists or vice versa, etc. It just means that there are different viewpoints.

I agree with you that we should all be good to each other regardless of religion or belief. But if you’re going to make that plea, take others’ beliefs into consideration before asserting your own as fact.

Karla Benson

Freshman, Pre-Business