In Rome, Israel, & Egypt, our family proudly visited temples, mosques, churches, and synagogues. We marveled at the world’s rich religious diversity and complexity. We’ve returned home to watch the right-wing hate machine continuing its efforts to transform religious faith into a political cudgel. Sadly, the reasonable Center cringes in fear of the venom of these neighborhood bullies, and most of the so-called left runs in terror from affirming OUR American right to practice faith. Practicing faith is beautiful; allowing politicians to recreate the “crusades” in the name of faith diminishes our various faiths, our communities, and our nation.