The role of religion?
Reader comment on item: Are We Safer?

Submitted by Scott Merrill (United States), Apr 30, 2002

The recent history, since 1978, of the attacks on the United States by "militant" Islam, is well laid out by Mr. Pipes and should only reinforce the resolve to take all necessary steps to first protect the United States, then attack and ultimately destroy all of those elements that have participated in these acts of war.

In 1977 - before the fall of the Shah of Iran, I did a paper for my International Relations class at the University of Georgia. My emphasis was on religion and pointed out that there was a great deal of potential tension and violence between the Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam. The professor discounted religion in general as lacking importance and gave me a C+ for the work. I want to resubmit it now for an upgrade to at least an A-.

Now, the United States has to take it seriously, even to the point of individual and societal sacrifice to ensure our victory over any nation or group that intends us harm.

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