I am pleased Jared Strong tackled the issue of religious violence (Feb. 25, “Extremism flourishes in many religions”), yet I feel an important side issue was missed.

What I find most interesting about this topic is not that religion can and does produce extremism — indeed, this states the obvious. Instead, what is most peculiar is that this occurs in every type of belief system, regardless of sacred elements.

William T. Cavanaugh, who gave a speech, “The Myth of Religious Violence” this past October as part of the World Affairs series, pointed out that every “ism” — from nationalism, capitalism, communism, socialism, racism, Darwinism, creationism, Buddhism, Hinduism — produces extremism that is also found in the monotheistic religions.

So, to broaden Strong’s call to “start looking at each group through the same lens,” let us look at all groups — whether they are focused on social, economic, intellectual or moral aspects of life.

Chris Hansen

Senior

Materials Engineering