Message From Our Chaplain

Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460

Veteran-Owned and Serving You Since 1902

At Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460, we know how much it means to serve. As a veteran-owned organization, we are committed to meeting the needs of those in our community. We’ve been open since 1902, and that means we’ve spent over 120 years helping people right here in Solon, IA.

As part of our mission, we are open to the public for meals, special events, and more. To learn more about Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 and what we’re all about, read this recent letter from our chaplain from December 2024.

A Message From Chaplain Doug Thompson

Last February, after the closure of our meeting concerning the Global War on Terrorism wall, I overheard some of the guys stating that religion was the cause of all wars. One man stated that people kill one another because they think their God is better or the way they worship is better. As they talked, I moved away and began to ponder that statement about religion being the cause of all wars. As I thought about it, I realized that yes, over the centuries there were wars fought in the name of religion. Despite this historical fact, I understood that religion was the excuse used to justify many of the wars throughout history. In truth, religion was used to justify and fan the flames of war and the hearts of the people who stepped forward to do the bulk of the fighting. 

As I analyzed the wars that were fought over religion, I was struck with an epiphany that religion was not the cause of all wars, nor even the majority of wars. The real catalyst of war is the most bias of human desires, greed, jealousy, and power. When I contemplated this fact, I realized that terrorists may be led to think their actions are justified because they believe they are preserving their religion and religious cultural identity from a foreign evil. When in truth, those in power will often fuel this fear of losing ones' religious faith identity by distorting the scriptural words of religious faith and utilizing outright lies. Thus, twisting the hearts and minds of those who are willing to listen and follow their perverted leadership. Those in leadership are often fearful of losing their position of power and they are fearful of other people who they perceive as a threat to their power. Thus, they demand complete unquestionable loyalty by their followers. 

These complex human emotions of power, greed, and jealousy are found within all of us. Religion, however, has helped us to temper these bias emotions. “Thou shall not covet” refers to the tenth commandment forbidding these human emotions to consume our minds and hearts. The commandment warning us of coveting is found in the Torah, Bible, and the Quran. In fact, warnings of these emotions are found in Buddhism and Hinduism. 

It is the rejection of God's commandments and teachings that allows the most bias of human emotions to twist and tear our hearts away from God. It is this rejection of God and religious tenets that leave many with hearts that are void of compassion towards others. This lack of empathy becomes the fertile soil in which the seeds of jealousy, greed and power will germinate and produce a harvest of hate. It is my belief that religion is not the cause of all wars or terrorism, rather it is the rejection of God and the tenets of religion that is the cause of all wars. 

Doug Thompson, Chaplain 

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