Mr. (John) North’s opinion piece (in The Daily Planet’s Opinion in the April 10-23 edition), “A hypocritical stance?” got me thinking. What is a bona fide or “decent” religion? 

Well, we must decide what “bona fide” means. 

To do that, we have to look at the world’s great religions and ask if they have any commonality.  

In other words, what is the common denominator among them, if one exists? 

I believe there are two similar traits among nearly all religions that lead to a simple test.  

First, there must be belief in the supernatural, a supernatural being, or God(s).

So, let’s give a passing mark for Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.   

Even Satanism passes muster.  

By this measure, though it may be “faith,” atheism fails the first test. 

Next, there should be a common belief that is essentially positive and productive for humanity at large.  

What would that belief be that is common among nearly all religions, major and minor? 

It’s The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (masochists excluded). Simply, “Love thy neighbor.”

That means we have narrowed down our  list to all but Satanism and Islam. Neither believe in the Golden Rule. Therefore, they are not bona fide religions based on this test.

Satanism involves ritualistic sacrifices of innocent animals and, sometimes, people. Acts of sadism are opposite of the Golden Rule. Fail.

Islam does have the equivalent of the Golden Rule (reciprocity concept), but, according to the Koran, this only applies to believers (brothers in Islam), not infidels. Count them out, too.

Yes, there are many, many good Muslims who have done great things for humanity and, to some extent, may even practice the Golden Rule with infidel neighbors. 

I have had great Muslim friends. But when it comes to the treatment of infidels under Shariah law in Islamic states, where their “religion” is law, they are either taxed, expunged, warred against or subjugated like slaves.If they refuse reprimands, they may be killed. That makes them Not Golden.

When countries based on liberty give “religious protections” to organizations  just because they have been called a religion for centuries, we are making a huge mistake.

 People can worship as they see fit in America, and that applies to the Islamic faith, but they should not expect any special religious protection in a democracy. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: While this newspaper’s editorials — labeled as The Daily Planet’s Opinion — are written by the newspaper’s editor (John North), they are written in consultation — and sometimes collaboratively — with other key Daily Planet staffers. The editorials are unsigned because they represent, as per newspaper tradition, the viewpoint of the Daily Planet as an institution — and not just that of the author. The complete headline on the editorial, referring to a change of stance on Christianity during a recent interview by famous British atheist Richard Dawkins, stated: “A hypocritical stance? Famous atheist says he (now) is a ‘cultural Christian,’ calls it a ‘fundamentally decent religion.’” As reported in the editorial, Dawkins slammed Islam in the interview, wherein he noted that, unlike Islam, Christianity is a “fundamentally decent religion.” 

Today I would receive a call from my baby girl from the Tennessee Home School Class as to when I was going to published part 2 of my Open Report with her inquiry of Thomas Jefferson and his declaration of all men being equal?

I told her and her peers that in my opinion the biggest misnomer that folks have in the 21st century, her included is that they want to equate owning slaves as the determing factor as to the character of a man. “ Big Mistake”! Conforming to social expectation of law is a contributing factor that should not be over looked...(See the Bible Levitius 25: 44(NLT), Exodus 21: 2-6(NLT), Luke 12: 47-48(NLT), Ephesians 6:5 (NLT). Sometimes real good men have to do what is percieved as real bad things ,but it does not change who they are. 

Members of the Philadelphia Congress instructed by their respective Colonies gradually edged towards a clear break from the British. On June 7, 1776 Henry Lee of Virginia moved that these United Colonies are,and of right ought to be free and independent States. After considerable debate, the Motion was adopted nearly a month later on July 2, 1776.

The passing of Lee’s resolution was the formal Declaration of Independence by the American Colonies, and technically that was all that was needed to cut the British tie. Thomas Jefferson was appointed to prepare an appropriate statement. The Declaration of Independence was formally approved by the Congress on July 4, 1776. Jefferson’s pronouncement gave his appeal universality by invoking the Natural Rights of human kind- not just British Rights. 

Jefferson argued that the King had flouted these Rights, imposing taxes without consent,dispensing with trial by Jury, abolishing valued laws,establishing a Military dictatorship,cutting off trade,burning towns,hiring mercenaries, and inciting hostilities among the Indians. Jefferson’s defiant Declaration of Independence had a universal Impact unmatched by any other American document. Yes he owned many slaves, and his affirmation that all men are created equal was to haunt him and his fellow citizens for generations.

The bottom line is that the African people could not have survived what Lincoln left behind for them with his  “Root Hog or Die policy (“You’re On  Your Own “)if it had not been for the Christian Charity of the Southern White man who prevented his extinction. If Black folks would face the real truth in this matter, they would get down on their knees and thank God for him everyday and never buy into the lies of the damn Yankee propaganda! Jefferson ‘s Declaration of Independence became the highway that Black folks would eventually find that all of God’s children in the United States of America were indeed created equal! God bless you!

                                Your brother, 

                                        HK

Chairman Board of Advisors Emeritus Southern Legal Resource Center 

Member Save Southern Heritage Florida 

Honorary Life Member Jackson Rangers Camp 1917 Sons of Confederate Veterans 

Honorary Life Member Augustus Jane Evans Chapter 2640 United Daughters of the Confederacy 

Honorary Life Member Kentucky and Texas Division Sons of Confederate Veterans 

Honorary Associate Member Abner Baker Chapter 14 United Daughters of the Confederacy 

Life Time Member North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia Orders of the Confederate Rose 

President Southern Heritage 411