Weaver letter: Religious beliefs

I don’t profess to know what happens when we die. Aside from some compelling ghost stories and seemingly credible reports of out of body experiences, there is no evidence of survival sans body. In spite of a lack of any scientific proof of an afterlife, many people “know” there to be one. This is based on their uncompromising belief powered by faith, which doesn't require proof, only commitment. To these true believers, this life is but prelude to an eternal existence ... somewhere. This belief unto itself would seem to be harmless, and it usually is, but recent events show it can be anything but. The Middle East is aflame, driven by religious fanatics who believe they will be rewarded in heaven. The Malheur squatters felt they had God in their pocket, and rebel Finicum had no fear of death due to his faith. Even closer to home we have a cemetery that includes needlessly dead children, because even though their loving parents’ healing prayers were in vain, they take comfort “knowing” their children survive in heaven. And while it is the state’s duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves, I’m pretty sure Sen. Lee Heider agrees with those parents.

This story was originally published March 6, 2016 at 11:30 PM with the headline "Weaver letter: Religious beliefs."