As a pastor who has devoted his entire adult life to being part of what you criticize as organized religion, I would suggest that your fault is not your honesty, but what appears to be self-destructive ways of expressing your views. I hope you will always express your thoughts, for that is part of your strength as a leader. But as a pastor, as well as a taxpayer and a citizen of this wonderful state, I would hope you would do so in a way that not only reflects your stature as a public figure, but that it be informative, and that it conveys a sensitivity to a richly diverse constituency.
Organized religion is no stranger to criticism.
Regrettably, there have been times when the sins of the religious community have brought about justified criticisms. Your comments regarding organized religion remind the faith community of our purpose and reason for being. It is hoped that out of all this there will be opportunities for public discourse regarding the value of religion and the need of the faith community. Sincerely, your friend, Rodney E. Wilmoth Wilmoth is pastor at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. It may just be lousy science or math.