This is in response to Eugene U. Vivo's letter, which appeared in Monday's Exponent. In it he makes the assessment that the Ku Klux Klan and al-Qaida are both organizations with religious motives. While agreeing with Mr. Vivo that both groups are monsters that need to be stopped, I take issue with his belief that religion is their main motivation. Yes, Osama bin Laden claims that he does his horrendous acts in the name of God, and yes, the KKK is made up of people who claim to be Christians, but their actions are not those of loving the fellow man. Nor are these individuals striving for peace and self-improvement, which is what Christ preached. Their views are racist, self-centered, oppressive and only concerned with the acquisition of power. In short, their actions are political, not religious.

The same can be said of the Inquisition, the Crusades and all past atrocities that were done in the name of "religion." While the perpetrators claimed to be working for the "glory of god," and may have even started with that goal in mind, they quickly became blinded by greed and arrogance and their actions became for their own glory. You cannot look at such individuals and believe that they represent what Christianity (or Islam) stand for. Simply examining the Bible or Koran shows how far from the actual tenants they are.

I hope by writing this that I don't come across as a fanatic or saint. I'm not; but I do believe in God, and do not believe that religious people can fairly be lumped in the same category as terrorists.