Dear David F.,

First, thank you for the beautiful poem!

It is logically erroneous to conclude that just because one, two or even three monotheistic religions (if indeed they are religions, rather than say, a national movement disguising itself as a religion) are intolerant, that intolerance must be in the nature of monotheism itself.

Hinduism is far more monotheistic than the Abrahamic religions (because the latter only believe in the unity of God whereas Hinduism believes in the unity of everything - not only that there is no other God/gods besides God, but that there is in fact nothing else whatsoever besides God), yet does not share (as a religion, I am not speaking about Hindu/Indian nationalism) a similar intolerance towards other religions.

Shri Krishna says in the Bhagavad-Gita:

"Whatever celestial form a devotee seeks to worship with faith, I steady the faith of such a devotee in that form.
Endowed with faith, the devotee worships a particular celestial god and obtains the objects of desire. But in reality, I alone arrange these benefits." [BG 7:21-22]

Dear Hasbeen,

Having religious diversity gives us a richer
and deeper understanding of different cultures.
The whole point is to try to promote
an ability to understand the point of view of
people with different religious or philosophical
convictions.

It teaches us to embrace tolerance,
understanding, acceptance, and a willingness to
move beyond our differences,

Religion for example has historically influenced Indian
society on a political and economic level. There is a
sense of pride associated with the country's rich
religious history as the traditions of Hinduism,
Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism all emerged out of India.

In the Balkans, religious identification is part of
national identity. Kosovo was part of the long conflict between
Ottoman Turks and Southern Slavs. Australians don't have a
single religion. Religion is not part of our national
identity.

Dear Yuyutsu,

I’m glad you like the poem. One thing I like about religion is the beauty of some of the associated music. Bach, Rimsky-Korsakov, Bloch, Tchaikovsky and others give me a feeling akin to awe. Unfortunately the airwaves are cluttered this time of year with cutesie-poo pop music and a lot of banal hymns to an insecure deity needing praise. There’s Rudolph, the brown-nose reindeer. The reindeer in front stopped abruptly. Children’s shows sometimes are most inventive. I just spent some, enjoyable time watching Paddington Bear.

However, Swinburne suits my present mood. I consider faith a vice. Demand proof, and if proof is not available, reject what you are asked to accept. In civilized countries one doesn't get tortured or burned at the stake for questioning.

What Foxy says.
Alan B.

Yuyutsu,

I feel that your concerns about Australia's religious
institutions on the whole are unwarranted. Australia is
a secular country with a very high degree of religious
freedom and religious diversity. Although the state and
religious groups are maintained as separate entities
religious organisations have done, and continue to play
a very large role in Australian society.

As mentioned earlier their primary and secondary schools,
their hospitals, their aged-care facilities and their
charity organisations are owned and funded by religious
organisations and are of great value.

Even King Charles in his pre-recorded message paid tribute
to religious organisations praising them for their work
during the UK's ongoing cost of living crisis.

He ended his speech by referring to a previous visit to
Bethlehem the town where Jesus was born and "the power of
light overcoming darkness."

"It's this life-light and with the true humility that
lies in our service to others that I believe we can find
hope for the future."

"Let us therefore celebrate it together and cherish it always."

His message ended with a rendition of - "O Little Town of
Bethlehem," performed by the choir of St. George's Chapel.

In my life I try to understand reality, and for me it is the lasting reality of character - it is the change, influences, and the actions I have made during my life. My physicality has been borrowed from the natural chemistry of creation as I have gathered and consumed and returned to the cycles of life. The reality of God is revealed in character, attitudes, and actions in whose image we are. The birth Of Christ Jesus is the very expression of the character of God - the Word- because of his actions for righteousness. His life reflected the purpose of God in the Earth in sacrifice for others.

Mary, his mother was trained in the school of Hillel and Jesus was schooled in the same attitudes, especially toward a faith that encompassed all nations.