A Real Belief in God versus Religious Fanaticism

A trust that God exists, however that deity is conceived, seems to be one of the core beliefs of a large proportion of humanity. Three major world religions, Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship the same personal God, albeit by different names. Other cultures and peoples revere Vishnu, Buddha, Odin and many more. Such richness of belief in a supreme being provides a solid foundation for billions in their daily lives.
Joseph Smith, the founder and first prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) stated as one of his guiding principles in the 11th Article of Faith: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” This seems to be an ideal that should be sought after and perfected each and every day.
As a Christian I have very specific beliefs about the nature God and an understanding of his many attributes and omnipotence. While my beliefs may differ from my friends who are Buddhists, Catholics, Coptics, Anglicans or Muslims I rejoice in their diversity and independence of thought. I love them for who they are and how they live. I am grateful that they are each, individually, my friends. It doesn’t matter to me one little bit that they don’t see things exactly the same as I do.
Diversity of religions in the world has been a fact throughout the entire history of all the world's major living religious traditions. Nevertheless, this variety has been made the basis for contention rather than community in many cases, and the monotheistic religions (those who worship one God) have often been among the worst offenders on this score. The strong tendency to display hostility toward different religious positions is connected with a strong tendency toward racism and ethnocentrism. This reaction seems to be built into conventional human responses and has even been included among the major responses of religious people to their environment.
Algernon Black, the humanist leader, educator, and radio commentator got it right when he stated: “Why not let people differ about their answers to the great mysteries of the Universe? Let each seek one's own way to the highest, to one's own sense of supreme loyalty in life, one's ideal of life. Let each philosophy, each world-view bring forth its truth and beauty to a larger perspective; that people may grow in vision, stature and dedication. The religions of humanity should be a unifying force, for all the great religions reveal a basic unity in ethics. Whether it be Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism or Confucianism, all grow out of a sense of the sacredness of human life.”
When I look at the news and see Muslim against Christian in the Balkans, Catholics hating Protestants in Ireland, Sinhalese battling Tamil in Sri Lanka, ethnic cleansing in Rwanda and the Congo, it appalls me. Religious fanaticism, tribalism and hatred based simply on someone being different is an abhorrent practice. It in fact denies the existence and goodness of God. It is the religious being Godless. It must stop. Each of us can stop it by stopping ourselves through self-discipline and respect of all life.