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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2007

No Validity To Claim

Regarding 'Bush's Misunderstanding With God' (Other Views, Oct. 13):

Cal Thomas's criticism of President Bush's claim that all religions worship the same God results from Thomas' failure to distinguish between the reality of God and our various ideas about the nature of this reality. Thomas reasons that because our ideas about God - especially Christian vs. Muslim - are so different, we are, in fact, worshiping different gods.

Certainly Bush must understand that there are major differences in the various doctrines, dogmas and even theologies among the world religions of today. What I believe Bush meant by his statement was that all religions worship the same transcendent reality to which their various ideas refer.

On the basis of this distinction between idea and reality, Bush may validly hold that although all these ideas refer to the same reality, some correspond to it more accurately or truthfully than others.

MICHAEL URBAS

Temple Terrace

A Universal God Cal Thomas is a bright man so one has to assume that he is pushing an unstated agenda.

Thomas claims that Muslims refer to God as Allah which shows that this is not the same God that most Americans accept. What Thomas fails to indicate is that Christian Arabs use the same word for God as do Muslims. Maybe the French, using Thomas' line of reasoning, worship a different god they call Dieu. What Thomas also fails to state is that there are chunks of the Koran that seem to be pulled out of the Bible (I spent a year studying the Koran in Arabic). Further, Muslims accept Jesus and Moses as messengers of God in a line of succession to Muhammad. Their claim is that they simply have a later version.

In order to build a more just and compassionate world, it might not be bad to look at similarities across Judaism, Christianity and Islam given the wide sectarian differences within each of these three great religions.

I don't find the president's statement that there is a universal God strange. In fact, as a Christian, that is the first tenant of my beliefs.

BILL WARD

Tampa

Religion Still Contentious

After reading the article by Cal Thomas, two things stick in my mind. The first is that after all this time the world is still battling over religion, and for centuries we have seen countless wars staged and thousands and thousands of people killed in the name of religion.

It's the old 'my religion is the only one' and if you do not abide by it, the war is on! The Bill of Rights gives all the opportunity to worship as they see fit. Wouldn't this world be great if all the bickering over this would cease? Everyone could choose what they prefer.

The other item is that last statement Thomas makes about President Bush being 'dangerously wrong.' I would like Thomas to start the statement with 'In my opinion' for this is only his opinion and, as they say, 'opinions are like noses, everyone has one.'

STAN FUNDOCK

Lakeland

Some Simple Rules

Regarding 'Guide For Arab Visitors And Foreign Students' (Commentary, Oct. 14):

On the surface of it, a nice little list about the things people 'brown skinned and from any Middle Eastern or Asian country' - Sam Rashid's words, not mine - should be aware of that they should not do while guests in the United States. There does seem to be a few small items missing that some visitors might not get, especially college-age youth; little things like:

1. Do not have pipe bombs in your trunk.

2. Try not being on the Internet teaching how to make bombs to kill the infidels; some unwashed infidels frown on this one.

3. Get your story together ahead of time so your changing explanations can at least be talked away by your million-dollar defense lawyers.

If you can follow these few simple rules, I feel you may enjoy your visit to our beloved country.

GUY PEETERS

Brooksville

Strange Cargo

I have lived in the United States for over 50 years; I was born here. I have probably purchased PVC piping, fertilizer and even fireworks (the low-hazard caps and sparklers). I usually take them right home. I don't travel with them in my car - who has room for nonessentials? I especially don't drive past nuclear, government, go on a cross-country trip or military facilities with those items.

RUTH MAHONEY

Riverview

No Need To Complain

I find it particularly interesting that Rashid says, 'We brown-skinned Americans have enough problems.'

Really? What problems does Rashid have?

Anyone who follows county or city politics knows of Rashid's financial and political abilities and success. Does Rashid have problems buying PVC pipe? Does he have trouble buying nails at the hardware store?

No, Rashid hasn't had any of these problems, or I'm sure we would have heard about it before now.

Maybe he could offer better advice to his audience, such as embrace the country and laws that have given him the freedom to be a political power; don't carry explosives; don't plot jihad; don't hope for the fall of the country that offers him and anyone else the ability to succeed and live the life that he and his family enjoy.

LEON WATTS

Tampa

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