The holiday season also gives rise to some frankly weird tension in the United States. We start to hear about the fabled “War on Christmas,” and those who say “Happy Holidays” to be inclusive.

Then, of course, there are those who rail against it all, who find the very notion of religions to be pointless or inherently venomous. I know I’m sure to be… invited back into the folds of Christianity and Mormonism by family. So, with this in mind, I want to share some thoughts about religion and faith.

This first part is largely an address to those who believe all faiths are inherently bad (though this is also directed at those who believe particular faiths are bad *ahem* Islamophobia *cough cough*).

Of the major religions of the world, namely Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Taoism, and so on, none are inherently “bad” nor do they by nature promote that which is bad. Rather, issues arise because of those who are purportedly inspired by faith and revelation.

Those who oppose these faiths, in general, might point to the amount of strife throughout history which has been rooted in issues of faith and conflicts over religion. The Crusades, the Inquisition, “Islamic” Terrorists, the Westboro Baptist Church, the KKK, and Catholicism’s history are prime examples. And this, I’m sure, is no exhaustive list.

However, if we break each faith down into their core or minute tenets, such strife and darkness are not supposed to be in the cards.

Judaism, for example, is said to have 613 commandments, though for the most part only Orthodox Jews believe all of these believe these must be followed. Of these commandments, while some may certainly be outdated or ridiculous, none truly promote acts which would be against the public good or deprive others of their human rights. A number of these tenets explicitly promote or require putting away one’s hate, disdain, and malice in favor of being helpful and doing good.

The same can be said of Christianity. If you attempt to research the basics of Christianity, you’ll mostly find articles on the Holy Trinity and the like. I also put forth my own experience with variations of Christianity. Specifically, I have noted themes which are common and confirmed by texts and articles.

At its core, Christianity revolves around the teachings of Jesus the Christ, who is believed to have died for the sins of humanity and was then resurrected. Jesus is said to exemplify righteous living; his core teachings focused on overcoming one’s personal issues and sins and living with love in one’s heart. Christianity also subscribes to what is known as the Ten Commandments, which deal with not lying, not killing, jealousy, respecting one’s parents, and others.

Again, none of these core tenets promote acts contrary to the public good and individual human rights.

Indeed, the focus on one’s own shortcomings is the major focus of Buddhism as well. Islam, of course, has its foundations in some of the teachings of Christ, Judaist values, and words Islam’s prophet, Muhammad. It’s core tenets are the 5 pillars of Islam.

Obviously, there are many different ways in which the traditions and texts concerning these faiths are interpreted. However, the core tenets, taking away historical and modern interpretations, are not wrong in and of themselves.

Rather, humanity perverts these faiths in their interpretations in order to serve their own purposes. Each of these faiths has inspired both charity and destruction. Knowing this, and understanding the basic tenets themselves, it would be wrong and illogical to designate religions themselves as harbingers of evil.

Humans interpret revelation, twist it unto its own desires, and wield it as a rhetorical weapon to summon the like-minded and weak-willed unto their dark banner. This should be the focus of ire and protest- the malicious who transform words of guidance and reassurance into instruments of division, destruction, and degradation.