In “The End of Faith”, author Sam Harris makes the argument that there is little difference between religious moderates and religious fundamentalists. They both claim to follow a book written by the Creator of the Known Universe, only moderates are more particular about which specific passages they choose to believe, and they exclude more of the book than fundamentalists.

The problem that they cause, which dooms us to war eternal, is their belief that their way, their book, is the only “Chosen Path”. Any non-believer is an impediment to their belief system taking total and complete control of the universe. For some believers, this equates to giving them a license to kill. At the very least, it allows believers to sanction killing of non-believers in their name.

This is why religion, as we have known it, must end.

Note, if you are still reading, I did not say “Spirituality must end.” Nor did I say “Ethical behavior must end.” Indeed, both spirituality and ethical behavior transcend religion, and are to be pursued by all. But I agree with Mr. Harris, it is foolish to tolerate other religions, when all religions are part of the problem. I particularly enjoyed his rhetorical question: Would you think it sane if, 2000 years from now, people were fighting and dying to defend different interpretations of the movie “Star Wars”? Probably not. But how is that different from today, when people fight and die defending different interpretations of the book written by “the Creator” (the Bible and the Koran)?

I say again: Religion, as we have known it, must end.