To the editor:

I feel I must reply to the Dec. 10 letter of Bruce S. Springsteen. He issues a blanket condemnation of all religion. Any fair-minded person with knowledge of the subject will recognize that religions are not all alike.

I know that violence has been committed in the name of Christianity, but in the beginning it was totally pacifist. Jesus taught ONLY love of enemies, forgiveness, simple living and care and compassion for the sick and needy. It’s not his fault that so many of those who bear his name have ignored his teachings.

Please understand that I am only referring to the teaching of Jesus as recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It’s no use trotting out violent passages from the Old Testament. Christians understand that the teachings of Jesus supersede anything that went before.

And many, many Christians over the centuries have put these teachings into practice, founding hospitals, charitable organizations of every kind, caring for the needy and promoting peace. There is a strong pacifist element within Christianity. Christianity, when practiced as Jesus taught, influences people to be unselfish, to think of others, to be kind to all and to help the suffering.

Mr. Springsteen refers to the “lunatic implications” of religions who claim to have a revelation “from the eternal source.” But those who have a true revelation from God all say the same thing: “Love your neighbor, love your enemy, treat others as you want to be treated.”

Dianne Hofmann,

Lawrence