In the mysterious designs of providence, perhaps the Islamic challenge to the West will have beneficial effects on our own democracy by promoting reduced reliance upon fossil fuels, especially foreign – surely, the mother of all addictions and a significant factor in all social pathology – by leading to a more just political and economic ordering here at home; and by resulting in a more balanced, healthy and human pace to our general way of life.

In the end, it is spiritual renewal in our national life that we are most in need of, that can provide us with the best hope for peace and justice here and in the world, and that can lead to a realization of the essentially shared ideals of the three great spiritual traditions of monotheism.

Paul Corrao, Auburn

Editor’s note: Due to an editor’s error, a version of this letter published Dec. 28 misrepresented the writer’s views. The Sun Journal is running the letter again.