To the editor:

After reading a letter to the editor titled “Bible study” (May 5), I was reminded of the people who claim that most Muslims out there do not practice Islam the right way or that they are missing the true meaning of Islam and that is why Islam looks like a nightmare from the Dark Ages. Not surprisingly, these people claim that there are invaluable truths and teachings HIDDEN in the Islamic text and traditions which, once rediscovered and followed, will liberate Muslims.

There is a simple truth in the above-mentioned letter: Most people desperately need their gods and so, even when they are faced with the irrationality and futility of their beliefs, they cannot simply abandon their gods. Instead, they blame themselves and others around them for being “naive and uninformed” and for failing to appreciate their god’s gift of truth and guidance. This is a recurring phenomenon in our history and is one reason why some religions experience many schisms.

Besides, I just can’t help but wonder, if a god puts together a holy book to guide humanity, why make it so unbelievably difficult to understand and appreciate?

There is a thin line between faith and denial, and it’s just too easy to cross.

Adrien Yeganeh,

Lawrence