Forgive me Sir for I do not know whom to write to so I ask that you to pass this on so that I may have my opinion heard.
I am an Atheist. Now please, don't turn the page. I was appalled by the man who wanted to burn a text that has great impact to so many along with ways from which to govern ones life positively. Yes, it was Islamic extremists who committed this act. But let us not forget the nation that we live in. We are a culture on to itself. This has taken hundreds of years to accomplish, and by all means not finished, we are on track. To burn this book would bring us back to the time when witches were burned. My heart goes out to the Christians/Catholics, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and many other of my brethren that passed. But let us not forget that even though it was an act of extremism done by a certain religion, there are those who are law abiding and kind individuals from this faith.
I therefore have a solution. We are The United States of America. Let us focus on the word United. I may have opinions about my countrymen, but they are still my countrymen. With this in mind, I believe that it would be in the interest of all the live that were lost to construct a building , possibly in the shape pf a peace sign forming a trinity. In one third/quarter (depending on how architects wish to construct it) each section should be broken into, but connected to the three religions that have been in conflict with one another for so long, the Christian/Catholic, Jewish, and the Muslim faiths. This will show the word that we favor not one ideal but the choice of ideals all governed and protected by our shared laws.
As I stated I am an Atheist. So, why is it that I want to help? The reason is that I believe in the right to believe. I believe that all religions were the founding base of our modern laws, and for this, I pay them respect. I think that the religions are one of the links to the knowledge that man has acquired over time and has taken steps to preserve this information be it positive or negative.
My brethren, connect the faiths, just as Akhenaten wanted it to be. Make peace with each other and if you truly are the bringers f peace, show us that you can co-exist. And, the way to do this is to create a monument that has within itself the three waring religions. Show the public your unity and teach them about how intertwined you all are. By creating a monumental structure connecting the three, and also one that can be shared and understood by all in one place, we will be one step closer to a more conscious, understanding, forgiving, and peaceful society.
With love,
Michael P. Gill
Ise, Japan/Phoenix, Arizona