Speaking to his disciples in what has come to be known as his final discourse, Jesus predicts that one day their opponents will seek to kill them in the name of God (John 15-16).  In today's world, we do not need to look far to see how true Jesus' words were. Christians are murdered in the name of God every day.  Conversely, however, far too many people have died at the hands of Christians for the "glory" of God.  Moreover, this practice is unfortunately not confined to Christianity.  Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and adherents of countless other religious traditions also kill people in the name of God.
     We who are religious should move carefully when assessing or discerning who our enemies really are.  Regrettably, too often it is us.  As a person who wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Times a number of years ago said, "Although I am an atheist, I envy the solace religious people find in their God.  But when I look at the pain that religion inflicts on the world, I see little reason to believe in him."
     This person has a point.  As Mahatma Gandhi once stated, referring to the behavior of his "Christian" British overlords, "I like Christ; I just don't like Christians."  Religion can be profoundly wonderful.  Those who practice it, however, can often be exactly the opposite.
     Those of who believe therefore ought to tremble before the hidden and inchoate purposes of God.  Rarely does he disclose, to anyone, the full scope of his intentions and vision.  If we believe, we do so humbly and carefully, and realize we walk in the shadow of immense mystery.