Volumes could be and have been written about the subject elements of Mark Gelbart's Aug, 6th letter ("Religion -- Who needs it, anyway?"). Obviously Mr. Gelbart is mixed up.

On one hand, he denies the existence of God, His law and His creation while simultaneously telling us what the best solutions are for some or all of us. In his view, his opinion, of course, is the most rational. His belief that mankind consists of only the physical (body) and mental (brain) without the soul-spirit-higher consciousness is irrational. It is well-known and well-documented that human beings have three components: physical, mental, and spiritual. His use of some extremist beliefs to back up his world-view is foolish. We have free will to do or not to do; to believe or not to believe. Even some 21st-century scientists who are evolutionists postulate that mankind is "wired" for spirituality in their DNA.

As for the politics, his belief system of the moment is clearly socialist humanism with moral relativism thrown in. A political belief that government can solve all our problems and demanding universal health care for all citizens is not a "basic right." We have seen the results of such socialist health care in other nations. Plus, health care has never been a "right" unless a government decides it is.

To say that American conservatives who are religious (Christians) hold to "twisted values" and proves "their religion has nothing to do with morality" is a ridiculous statement. Where does he think the moral standards of civilized societies came from?

Bonnie Alba, Aiken, S.C.