Johnny Townsend offended a lot of people in his commentary in the Dec. 23 Salt Lake Tribune — not just members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although I am sure his main aim was at them.

He offended almost every religion, including Jews, all Christians and Muslims, because he criticized the God of the Old Testament for killing the firstborn of every Egyptian and “undesirables” from the Promised Land.

I am surprised that he mocks church members for keeping the Word of Wisdom and other commandments that are for the benefit of all who abide by them. I think I speak for almost all church members when I say that we are grateful that we are free from the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and any harmful substance that were all specified well more than 100 years before science determined that they are harmful to the body.

He seems to think there should be no limits as to what human beings should be able to do. I think church members can do just fine without tattoos, extra ear piercings, disgusting R-rated movies and “nice underwear.” We understand very well that it isn’t from a Nazi God that we have received the commandments to avoid the pitfalls of the world.

I have to wonder and hope that Mr. Townsend has no children; otherwise they would be left to do anything their little hearts desired. No parental guidance to help keep them safe from danger and from the harmful ways of the world. Does he also think parents are Nazis for telling their children that they need to do their homework, avoid touching a hot stove, practice piano, etc.? In fact, his views are so childish that, if his picture weren’t printed with his commentary, I could have sworn it was written by a spoiled teenager.

Church members are allowed to have fun, but not at the expense of others or when the long-term effects are negative. I know of no restrictions as to sex as long as we are married, unless you include sadomasochism, etc., without which we can also do just fine.

He also talks about the lack of critical reasoning and transparent history on our part. We have always been taught not to follow blindly but to get our own testimony of any gospel principle or revelation. And I believe the church has been more than transparent lately, with all that has been released to the press about our history. No, we are not perfect. Hence, horrible incidents such as the Mountain Meadow Massacre are a part of our history. But don’t blame that on our God, just as you cannot blame God for any horrific act carried out in his name.

Overall, religion teaches people to behave morally and to treat fellow human beings with respect. Just because a very small fraction of religious people turn out to be zealots who perform their despicable acts in the name of their God doesn’t make religion in general a terrible thing. And if they practice a little temperance and moderation, it isn’t because they have a Nazi God trying to take freedom away from them. Quite the contrary, refusing to engage in acts detrimental to others and us in the long run grants us more freedom. We are not subject the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, etc., that hold many people of the world hostage.

Bart S. Croxford