Recent discussions, debates and outright attacks on religion remind me of two kids in a schoolyard arguing about their fathers.

“My God is bigger than your God.”

“Well, my God is stronger than yours.”

“Mine is wiser.”

“Mine is older.”

“But your God is mean.”

“So is yours.”

“No, he’s not.”

“Is too!”

“Is not!”

After a few minutes of verbal blows comes the hopeful knockout punch:

“You’re not going to heaven.”

“Who says?”

“The Bible, that’s who.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah!”

And then the final comeback:

“Then I guess we’ll both see each other in hell.”

This not-so-farfetched conversation came to mind after a colleague invited me to come speak to his Sunday school class and suggested I talk about how different people see God, and specifically, how those of one faith reconcile their beliefs with acceptance of those who practice other religions.

Admittedly, that’s a tough assignment. And while I haven’t figured out what I’ll say to that thinking group of Sunday school adults in September, I do know that it is a topic many more people in America and around the world ought to be discussing.

Frankly, it is sickening to hear some people – especially Christians – talk about other religious groups, particularly Muslims.

The blatant prejudices are shocking coming from those who supposedly teach love.

I’ve talked before about how some folks like to wrap God in their own little boxes, define him and “protect” him from anyone who might challenge their definitions of the deity.

Certainly I have caused some of my fellow Christians concern in recent years by merely acknowledging that other religions have great gifts to offer the human race.

It is sacrilege to some in my faith to be remotely tolerant of other faiths, and they are quick to declare you “hell-bound” if you refuse to try to proselytize in the name of Jesus.

During tough times, and specifically during times of war, we become less accepting of those who are different, and we call on our gods to take sides.

So, we label others evil or devils or the anti-Christ, making ourselves, in turn, the chosen ones.

Condemn me if you wish, but I will not allow religious bigotry to contaminate my soul.

I have friends and family members of many faiths – a few of no particular faith at all – and they are all good people, caring people, loving people.

Love or acceptance of an individual should never be based on that person’s religion or nationality or any other accident of birth.

The basis of my affection for others will be their own humanity and their treatment of others.

It bothers me greatly to see savagery carried out in the name of God, or to watch terror groups or nations (democratic or otherwise) declare that they are fighting “holy wars.”

We ought to be careful about what we blame on God, or how we use God as an excuse for what we want to do to benefit us as individuals or as a country.

Religious folks, if you must, go through your rituals of ringing bells, lighting candles, blowing horns and chanting daily prayers, but it is time to stop the ritual of discrimination and hatred of those who are different.

Believe me, I know I’ll hear from many of you who are ready to tell me how wrong I am and that I’m probably on my way to hell. I welcome your comments, but please leave out the Scripture.

By the way, when was the last time you saw God? Have you ever seen him in a person who didn’t share your religious beliefs?

Discuss those questions in your next Sunday school class.

I’ve been seeing God a lot lately, especially in nature. All you have to do is “behold the lilies of the field …” or a “flower in the crannied wall.”

Bob Ray Sanders is a columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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