Begley is right: We’ll never know whether a god created our brains or vice versa. But does it really matter? The only important question is: does God–if he exists–impose laws and rules on us? Jose Versluys La Motte, France
The researchers who interpret the brain are not only narrow-minded, they’re inconsistent. Does the optical faculty in the brain belie the existence of the spatio-geometric structure of the world around us? Does the olfactory faculty belie the existence of the fragrant property of flowers? Does the auditory faculty belie the existence of sound? Why then shouldn’t the experiences corresponding to the recently discovered “spiritual faculty” pertain to a reality outside the individual? Let’s not turn science into a dogmatic religion. R. Srikanth Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bangalore, India
“Religion And The Brain” suggests that ambiguity remains. Since the brain is computer, theater and tale-spinner all in one, who can say if the pie is in the sky or in our skull? It is a never-ending mystery that keeps us on our toes. Akira Tachibana Ichihara City, Japan
Your special report on religion and the brain raises questions that concern every living being. Our creator speaks to us through his voice in our brain if one listens carefully. And how can anyone believe that the billions of human and animal species and nature’s innumerable phenomena have come into being of themselves? Our planet rotates once every 24 hours, but we feel it is stationary. Part of the time we hang upside down by our feet, thanks to gravity. The sun has the exact distance from our globe to make temperatures neither too hot nor too cold for life on Earth. And our average life span is but a split second in eternity. These are facts to ponder after reading your report. Eric af Wetterstedt Leksand, Sweden
Religion may be a part in the brain, but the whole brain is what science is all about. It certainly works much better than religion. Science is the best tool we have thus far for understanding our own nature and the nature of the world we live in. Science has two simple rules. First, there are no sacred truths. All assumptions must be carefully examined–arguments from authority are worthless. Second, whatever is inconsistent with the facts must be discarded or revised. Indeed, science is always a self-correcting human enterprise. It is often asked–not by scientists but by religionists–if science and religion can reconcile. They can. But religion must first reconcile with other religions. In the meantime, insofar as religion consists of a way of feeling rather than a set of beliefs, science should leave religion alone. Why bother with an ancient institution that has miserably failed to straighten out the world’s mess? Especially here in the Philippines, the only Christian country in Asia. Poch Suzara Makati City, Philippines
I appreciated Kenneth Woodward’s response to “Religion and the Brain.” I do believe there is a part of us “wired” for God, but it is in our souls, not our brains. And I believe it is so we can have a relationship with God, not create one. It was interesting that in the same issue, Dr. Jerri Nielsen (“Facing Death on the Ice,” interview) said that, at the South Pole, she realized that “the information inside–I call it the voice of God–is inside each of us but we don’t know how to turn off the chaos of modern life long enough to hear it.” We North Americans want even our religious experiences to be active and spectacular, or at least sublime, when, as Woodward notes, all God asks of us is, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Sharon Fleming Bogota, Colombia
I suspect that balance was the editorial intent behind the two articles on religion and the brain, which discuss the spiritual experience of oneness from seemingly opposite points of view. Actually, the articles share a common premise: although we may be “wired” for the experience of oneness, it is only our experience, not our reality. Oneness cannot be real because, as science and religion agree, our reality is separation. We are our bodies, separate from each other and separate from God. We have all experienced this, so it must be true. But what if we’re wrong? Science is now proving what mystics have always known: our brains are capable of experiencing either separation or oneness, as we choose. Clearly, though, only one of these alternatives can be true. Either we are separate or we are one. Is it not possible that we have put our faith in the wrong experience? It could explain why we’ve had such trouble loving our neighbors as ourselves. S. A. Ennis, Ireland
To the Western world with its scientific tradition, religious experience is seen merely as knowledge. Thus people should learn how to gain control of it. “Religion and the Brain” has already shown us how powerful our brain is, so why do we have to think about the subject? Adi Hasan Siregar Jakarta, Indonesia Growing Up Arab-American Thanks to Lorraine Ali for her beautifully written piece, “An Arab in America” (U.S. AFFAIRS, May 14). As an American who grew up in a Christian culture, I’m grateful to Ali and her Arab brothers and sisters for sharing the richness of their culture, religion and personhood. My life has been greatly enriched as a result. I hope I can be as generous. Wayne Yoder Sulzfeld, Germany
Bravo NEWSWEEK for Lorraine Ali’s article. It was so touching it made me cry. I will surely buy her book when it is published. Isabella Szalkowska Warsaw, Poland
Kudos to Lorraine Ali for her insightful and well-written letter highlighting the need for greater understanding and acceptance of the Arab community in America. However, I found the line “stereotypes were fed by a series of Middle East conflicts–Palestine, Iran, Libya, Iraq” disturbing. Any American can look at a map and see that what Ali refers to as Palestine is in fact Israel (and, some may argue, Jordan). Indeed, if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is ever going to be resolved, it will require the Israelis to accept Palestinian aspirations of dignity, self-rule and eventually a state of their own. But in order for such concessions to be made, the Israelis also must be assured by the Palestinians and their Arab neighbors that they recognize Israel’s right to exist and that a Palestinian state is not simply an interim stage in the elimination of Israel. Ali’s failure to mention the name of an internationally recognized state only reinforces the perception among many that there is little room for negotiation when even Arab-Americans cannot or will not acknowledge Israel’s existence. Stephen Haseltine London, England
Lorraine Ali’s autobiographical “Letter” appears to be a self-serving propaganda piece. Ali writes about “Middle East conflicts–Palestine, Iran, Libya, Iraq,” a strange list, as most Americans remember names like Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. I dare say one would be hard-pressed today to find a country called Palestine. Ali writes eloquently of the war with Iraq and the bombs being dropped on civilians, but fails to mention that the war was against Saddam Hussein, who attacked and occupied another Arab country and was building an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Ali’s father went to America for a better life, as did many immigrants. Perhaps she did not learn from him about the dictators and oppression in the “old country.” Aharon Goldberg Hatzor Haglilit, Israel A Politically Correct Jesus? It’s time Jesus had a makeover (“Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?” PERISCOPE, April 9). We’ve suffered the traditional hippie cracker long enough. Let’s sweep through all Biblical imagry to ensure nothing remains politically incorrect. H.L. Gage Kerava, Finland
What was your intention in publishing the pictures of Renee Cox and Andres Serrano? If you intended to hurt the feelings of Christians during Lent, you certainly made your point. I’ve been subscribing to NEWSWEEK for many years but think it’s time to stop supporting a magazine that not only has no respect for Christian readers but also lacks taste. Andrzej Ziolkowski Via Internet
“Piss Christ” and “Yo Mama’s Last Supper” are nothing but a deliberate effort to attract attention by outraging the believers. Why did you show such trash as a legitimate part of Christ’s iconography? I see a strange distortion in America’s political correctness these days: when minorities like blacks, gays and Muslims are portrayed in a disrespectful way there’s a general outcry. But let someone ridicule Christ, the pope and other revered figures of Christendom and you’ll see the pundits praising the work as “bold” or “daring.” Fernando Carniero Recife, Brazil
People in the West might hold liberal views about Christ, but we in the Muslim world hold Christ in great reverence; to us he is Hazrat Isa, one of Allah’s messengers. To see him depicted in the images you chose is repulsive. Omar Abbasi East Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Your PERISCOPE item was crude and unnecessary, although you did make some valid points. As my best friend puts it, “Jesus ain’t white.” However, all you succeeded in doing was disgusting me. Show some respect, NEWSWEEK. Michelle De Saram Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
The picture of Christ’s face on the Shroud of Turin that you published is actually a negative. To get it, you have to photograph the figure seen on the linen and look at the negative. Only then will you see the face you’ve reproduced. Roberto Pernia Zaragoza, Spain
In the Vatican Museum, there is a small painting, “The Blessing Redeemer,” by the Italian Simone Martini (1284-1344), that resembles the “new” digital Jesus, constructed by the Discovery Channel and the BBC, much more than the traditional Renaissance and later portrayals of Christ. Michael J. Berger Jerusalem, Israel
Rise of a Supersalesman The only thing one learns from your article on Silvio Berlusconi is that he is a fascist, a crook and a con man (“The Knight Errant,” EUROPE, May 14). This information comes from sources who don’t want political change in the right direction of a corrupt country. Even though Italian voters elected Berlusconi legally, he has already been condemned to burn in hell by the rest of Europe. Renato Cremona Grand Canary, Spain
Shame on Europe’s political establishment for threatening sanctions against Italy for electing Silvio Berlusconi, and for sanctioning Austria when Jorg Haider was brought into its government. Freedom of speech, religion, press and association all demand tolerance–even of the intolerant–as long as they do not break any laws. This applies to communists marching on May Day, Muslim women wearing head scarves to work or school, gay parades or Nazis marching peacefully through a Jewish neighborhood. If the European Union decided that entire member states, with tens of millions of citizens, cannot freely choose their leaders, democracy has no future there. Randall Cameron Sana’a, Yemen
Italy, because of its history, its sophisticated cultural heritage and the variety and liveliness of its people, has always been a complex country. It is not easy to understand what is going on from the outside, particularly for Americans, who, though they are attracted to Italian culture and hold strong ties to its people, have few opportunities to judge Italian politics. Italy is a democracy because, after World War II, the Christian Democrats and other democratic parties won the elections over an aggressive Communist Party that depended on Moscow and tried to establish communism in Italy by any means. But the influence of the Communist Party has been such that not only does it determine politics, but Italy is the only one among rich Western countries to boast a state-controlled economy. Liberalism has been banned by the dominant cultural group. All this might come to an end now that Berlusconi has won the election. That’s why he attracts strong feelings from moderates and liberals (who love him) and from communists (who hate him). The time might be ripe for a liberal, democratic revolution in Italy. Give Berlusconi a chance. Gabriele Baccetti Grosseto, Italy
You portrayed Berlusconi as a thief and a dishonest megalomaniac. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no proof of your allegations, only rumors which are identical to those started by Berlusconi’s frustrated and desperate political foes. The vast majority of Italian moderates–that silent majority of hardworking people who make up the backbone of this country–overwhelmingly voted for Berlusconi. We will finally put an end to this “reign” of the not-so-former communists who have governed this country for much too long. Augusto Pellegrini Milan, Italy
Like millions of Italians, I’m disappointed with the way our politicians have managed the country’s affairs. This past electoral campaign was a public display of fierce attacks, harsh criticism and political cynicism at its worst. Italians will not tolerate this. More than once, the good intentions voiced by the right- and left-wing alliances in the months preceding an election have resulted in dirty, shadowy and biased political dealings with dubious public benefits. Besides, the tangled political scene made up of dozens of small parties–sometimes founded by prominent politicians with diverging agendas–doesn’t help us make a considered choice. Small wonder then that some foreign analysts see Italy as a “banana republic.” Giulio Cicconi Teramo, Italy
