Regarding the op-ed “Famous atheist’s pivot doesn’t surprise me as a pastor” (March 29): Wow! This pastor must live in a compartmentalized little world. I stopped fantasizing about my “invisible friend” when I reached the age of reason in second grade. I owe my education to 18 years of i nstruction by the Ursuline Sisters, the Marist Brothers, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. My two graduate degrees and doctorate, however, were earned in public institutions of higher education. The former 18 years required religion classes. I found the Bible stories fascinating, even the incestuous ones. I have three copies of this Iron Age plus Roman colonial era literature, plus other such tomes, including a Jesuit version of the Catholic Catechism. The more I learned, the less I believe in the supernatural. The Golden Rule, which is centuries older than Christianity, that’s all-encompassing for little old me. — Carlos Valle, retired professor, Laredo, Texas Return to patriarchy Which society is more irresponsible? A bloodthirsty, primitive society for which the sight of a man nailed to crosswise timbers was routine? Or a modern society routinely placing statuettes of this man before its innocent children? As a child, I could never understand how Christians were blind to the sadistic atmosphere established at their church altars and in so many of their homes by the display of Christ on the cross. Of course, it can be very useful to have a population trying to atone for its “original sin” by doing as it is told. I do not claim an established religion, having been raised by a former Catholic and a former Muslim to follow the Golden Rule. And as an adult, contrary to Pastor Mike Woodruff, who crows about atheist Richard Dawkins noting that religion is “useful,” I find even less reason to do so now. What Woodruff, President Donald Trump and the religious right are celebrating is a return to patriarchal authoritarianism. These people adhere to the idea that the common person is weak, undisciplined and unable to decide things for himself or herself. Very handy view if you want to be a dictator, a king or a pastor. Unfortunately, this authoritarian nature predominates in American Christianity, despite the New Testament-zakat and sadaqah-tikkun olam kindness demonstrated by the Chicago faith leaders in their recent op-ed “Millions of Illinoisans with criminal records deserve a clean slate” (March 30). The many, many generous, kind, faith-based Americans whose collective energies and wealth are directed toward charitable goals are being stymied today by this repressive religio-political alliance. I see religion being used, still, and most everywhere, as a tool of unethical, power-hungry individuals and states. I see it being used to destroy the humanity of peoples whom the current ruling structures see as threatening to their power and self-image. (Witness the current Israeli and American administrations.) I see it being used here in our once-relatively light-spirited country to stomp underfoot the dreams of brown and Black people and, of course, the Palestinians. As if doing so will uplift the rest of us. — Zenat Vakili, Naperville Religion’s usefulness The question will never be between religion and no religion. So long as humans cannot live merely to eat, sleep and be merry, they will always gravitate toward one religion or another. Religion alone can offer them a purpose, a reason to live. People who love science, including me and far brighter heads such as Richard Dawkins and Bertrand Russell, might tend to lose themselves in science, the wonders that science illuminates and the application of the scientific method. For people like us, science is a blast. But, for that very reason, it can distract us from science’s inadequacies. One thing science cannot do is to offer that sense of purpose that everyone needs. Pastor Mike Woodruff’s op-ed states that self-avowed atheist Richard Dawkins has recently come out as a “cultural Christian.” It may be that, even though he continues to detest organized religion in general, he has recognized that some religions are better than others and that, as far as religions go, Christianity is not too bad. If that is the case, I’m surprised it took him so long. Compared with the fundamentalism of al-Qaida or Hamas, the doctrines of the Bolsheviks, the nationalism of the Nazis or the sun god worship of the Aztecs, Christianity does indeed seem not too bad. My point, though, is that insofar as people fall away from one religion, they will gravitate toward others. They will always need religion. Some religions are better than others. Now, as for the question of whether Jesus really was who he said he was, why not look into it? According to Dawkins, it would appear, there are worse ways to spend your time. — Michael W. Drwiega, Wilmette Treatment of elderly The Illinois drivers service facility for senior citizens in suburban Westchester is the responsibility of the Illinois secretary of state. Driver’s license renewal at that facility is the definition of irresponsible public service for senior citizens. After I waited a half hour on the sidewalk in the freezing cold, the rest of the process took a mere three hours. “Where does this place store its victims when it rains?” asked the lady behind me. A month before my visit to this elderly-only facility, my wife’s complaints of her experiences at the Westchester facility took on new clarity. It is unconscionable for a public service office, the Illinois secretary of state, to treat its senior population this way. The secretary of state himself will become a senior citizen and then perhaps realize how elderly people savor their final days. Three hours at a drivers service facility is not a distinctive choice. — William O’Neill, Chicago Bowling memories Thanks to Rick Kogan for the insightful article “When billiards and bowling were all the rage” (April 1). My grandfather established the Hyde Park Bowl on Lake Street in the 1920s, with a pool room at street level and two upper levels of bowling alleys. In the 1940s, my aunt, who had been a Ziegfeld Follies girl working with Fanny Brice, ended up employed there, taking in the tickets and handing out bowling shoes. My father took over the Hyde Park Bowl and established the popular Bryn Mawr Bowl at 71st Street and Jeffery Boulevard, which had an open pool room on the upper level. In my high school years, I worked every Saturday behind the bowling counter, with friends begging me to put them higher up on the alley waiting list. Once, I set pins for the children’s league, then went home and slept off that exercise. In all the decades, I remember that the guys who bowled or played pool were all respectful of the game, the equipment and our employees. Pickleball is fun, but it will never rise to the enjoyment of decadeslong camaraderie and laughter emanating from the South Side bowlers, the clack of the eight ball in the side pocket or the sound of the 15-pound ball knocking down all 10 pins. — Richard J. Aronson, Highland Park Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. ...read more read less