Religious beliefs depend on where you were born

If you were born in Afghanistan, chances are excellent that you'd be a Muslim and bow to Allah. Norway - Lutheran. Israel - Jew. India - Buddhist.

The majority in this country is Christian. Oh, sure, there's a smattering of Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and even a few atheists. But by and large, most people would describe themselves as adherents to Christianity. Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Catholics, Unitarians, whatever. What type of Christian depends a lot on what part of the country you live in.

And that is exactly the point. While the Rev. Wright or the Rev. Haggee rant and rail about the evils of this country or the sins of New Orleans, both are adamant servers of a Christian God. Take Wright or Haggee to India, and both would be in a definite minority. But in this country, they are revered or reviled. They are products of their culture.

Religion, in that sense, is not a choice. It just depends on where you're born. So what's all the fuss about? Why is it that we try to foist our religious beliefs on Iraq or Pakistan, and we're all concerned about those countries' "radical Islamists" wreaking havoc on this country? It is highly unlikely Christianity will ever overtake the Islamic religion in the Middle East, and it is equally unlikely a religion based on the Prophet Muhammad will ever replace Christianity in this country.

It is all a matter of birth.

No matter how loudly our ministers proclaim their beliefs, no matter how knowledgeable they are about the Bible, no matter how much they rail against other religious beliefs and Satanism, they're really just displaying their birthright. In other countries around the world, rabbis, ayatollahs and monks are just as passionate and just as emotional about their beliefs. They're displaying their birthrights.

But, knowing that and recognizing that - which most ministers, rabbis and ayatollahs do - all are still absolutely convinced that their religion is the One True Way, and they proselytize to get others to believe likewise. Some religious leaders are more assertive and aggressive than others and try to enforce and extend their beliefs with intimidation and even violence. Damning non-believers to everlasting hellfire is nothing more than intimidation, just as stoning an adulterer is a violent form of intimidation. Subjecting children to old men's desires is wrong no matter the religion - and involves both intimidation and violence.

What is needed is something that will never occur. What is needed is to recognize that the strongest beliefs are based on happenstance. But religious leaders will still try to foist their beliefs on others. It doesn't really matter whether the belief and worship are of a Christian God or a Muslim one. The only real choice is adopting a sect in that religion.

Some Muslims are radical jihadists. Some Mormons believe there's no need to be "good stewards" because the end is near. Some Baptists abhor dancing. Some Jews see the Quran as the work of Satan. Some Buddhist monks would have us deny or give up material possessions. Some Cargo Cultists are still waiting for stuff to rain from the sky.

There's nothing unimportant about this. Wars have been fought over religious beliefs. In all wars, both sides claim "God is on our side."

Trees have been cut, hillsides bulldozed, the tops of mountains removed all in the name of the deity. All religions have some sort of admonition to be a "good steward" of the Earth. Unfortunately, stewardship is not very well-defined. It is easy to rationalize stewardship while directing bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks and earthmovers to manipulate the creations of whatever deity is acknowledged.

One thing is certain. We all have beliefs - but those beliefs are not based on choice. It all depends on where you were born.

Ken Midkiff is Osage Group conservation chairman and author of "The Meat You Eat" and "Not a Drop to Drink." You can reach him via e-mail at editor@tribmail.com.