Excerpts from Letters to Mom in italics.
16 February 1963
Today was something a little special. I was in church for the first time since xmas of 61. The occasion was a German wedding. A very good friend had the knot tied. The bad thing was that I had to work later, and got a little tore up at the "Hochzeit" [literally, "high time"] (reception). I understood all the German, but the Latin threw me (I'm talking about the service). [Germans wear their wedding rings on the right hand and both bride and the groom wear wedding bands. GI's always checked out a German girl's right hand.]
Sitting there in church I had to think about Gretchen, because she is Catholic also. I know if I marry her I'll probably have to vow that I'll let the children be brought up Catholic. I know grandma and grandpa would do handsprings at the thought, but I have my own ideas on the subject which would be hard to alter. I feel that all religions regardless of whether it is Methodist, Lutheran, SDA, Jewish, Catholic, Hindu, or Mohammedan [Islam]; they all teach to do the right and not the wrong. They might differ in theories and rituals in varying degrees, but the underlying principle is to do good, not evil. Therefore, if I ever had to make such a choice, I wouldn't hesitate. I can't see that Ghandi or any one else of any other religion won't reach their "Promised Land" (if there is any) merely because they draw their strength and help in different manners.
If Dad didn't get to "heaven" because he didn't have all the rituals of baptism, communions, and whatever of the such it gives, I don't want to or won't worry about it. That is unless there are Parkbrau, schnitzels, and women there because I'm enjoying them down here.
I think you follow my reasoning. Also, at least I don't feel that I'm a worse man than someone who sits in church or synagogue every week. If there is one thing I am, it's not a hypocrite. [A footnote to the last sentence added] "That one sentence infers [sic] church goers are hypocrites, but wasn't meant that way nor should be taken as such." My religion is love and the Golden Rule, and I'm in church whenever I practice it. By "church" I mean I feel warm and good if I can help someone or do something decent; and also feel rotten when I err or hurt someone. I've had these convictions a long time, it just took a while before I realized them. And I think they'll see me through life (and a good one) just fine. If I get on the ball, I just might leave this void a little better than I left [or "found"] it. That would more than satisfy me, too. Boy I really got off on a tangent this time. I almost didn't send this one. Any thoughts you have on the subject I'll read, but probably wouldn't change my views more than a smidgen. By the way, I think "Meema"(Mrs. Fehr) [Paternal grandmother who was an admirer of Ghandi and loathed racial discrimination and religious intolerance.] would buy my doctrines. What do you think? Don't reply if it'll interrupt the flow of letters. This one is sure in contrast to the last one, huh? Well that's about it. I'm fine and hope everyone there is, too.