There’s been another bombing in Israel. This time they think 20 people died.

I see these stories and feel so helpless. I can’t imagine living a life where you are terrified to ride a bus, go get pizza or let your kids play outside for fear that some ass with dynamite strapped to his body will blow everything you love up into bits.

Of course, were I a peace loving Palestinian, I’d be afraid of my kids getting run over by a tank.

It’s a horrible situation, and there is just no solution. Land for peace won’t work. At this point, I don’t think anything will guarantee peace, short of stripping everyone of his or her nationality and religion.

All these suicides and deaths in the name of “God” has gotten me thinking. What would Jesus do? This man, as well as his counterparts in Islam and Judaism is probably sitting in the Afterlife vomiting right now. Jesus will turn to Mohammad and say, “I gave them a book. It gave them instructions. We get David Koresh and Jim Jones.” Mohammed will reply, “Tell me about it. I’ve got a bunch of young kids strapping explosives to themselves or flying planes into buildings, killing and maiming in the name of Allah. I’m pretty sure I never said to do that.” Buddha probably is sitting there saying, “I ask for nothing, I receive nothing. I am at peace. Except for that Richard Gere guy. He’s screwing it up.”

How many wars have been fought in the name of God, be it God, Yahweh, Allah, etc.? How many people have killed themselves because they felt God wanted it? That God wanted them to kill others.

Look. God has plenty of ways to get rid of us, should he so choose. There are diseases, Earthquakes, floods . . . and if we continue this way, we may just be giving him reason to scrap his plans. According to the Old Testament, he’s done it before. He’ll flood the damn place and yell, “Do over!” Or he’ll just give the planet to the monkeys.

Think about the deaths cause over the millennia over religion. At their heart, these religions teach peace and tolerance. Yet, it only takes one charismatic zealot with a twisted interpretation on the doctrine and you start a group of people bent on destroying him or herself, or another group.

God doesn’t want war any more than he wanted Kurt Warner to win the Super Bowl. He has trusted us with this little blue and green orb and, in many different ways, left us with instructions. Heck, you can boil down Jesus’ teachings to “Be nice.” Judaism has a wonderful mysticism and the Muslims I’ve known, and respected, have had an enviable sense of peace.

It’s the Osama bin Ladens, David Koreshes, Jim Joneses and all those other psychotic asses who claim God wants us to hurt one another because, in essence, “I’m right. You’re wrong. Die.” The truly great men and women of religion spend their days in the trenches, with their communities and congregations, helping people heal and communicate. These men are rarely heard from because they are trying to change the world through a message of kindness and caring.

So, even though I’m sure I’ll be setting myself up for argument . . .

I propose an agnostic government. In general agnostics respect religion, but they do not have the faith in religion. They agree that there is an intelligent design behind this whole “life” thing, but they don’t know who or what did it. Many agnostics spend their lives seeking these answers, but are unsatisfied by the answer of one religion. It doesn’t sufficiently explain the universe to them. Or, they find no comfort in the religious doctrine.

Not atheists. I’m speaking of agnostics. Agnostics believe that life couldn’t possibly just be one happy accident, but they question the answers they’ve been given. They seek knowledge and understanding.

So, agnostics should run countries. They would allow all religions equal access, since it may bring solace or happiness to another. They would preach tolerance of all reasonable points of view because, at their heart, agnostics believe in being good human beings. Generally, they believe they should be good because it’s the decent thing to do, not for the promise of an afterlife, or 20 virgins. They believe that the community is important. Those extended families are the secret to our happiness. They know that loneliness is the number one killer in our world. Our coins would say, “In something we trust . . . maybe.”

Agnostics understand the flaws of human nature and would work together to find a solution. They understand there is a black and white and a gray and purple and blue and orange and polka dot . . .

Agnostics don’t have all the answers. No one does. But I can guarantee that the answer isn’t bombing the shit out of everyone around you in the name of piety.

I’m not saying religion is bad. I’m not saying any religion is bad. In fact, I envy anyone with the capacity for faith. I, for one, do not have that capacity. I fear I will never find my answers, but I find solace in the search.

What I am saying is that religion with firepower is bad.

Think about it. When was the last war fought in the name of “Something . . . maybe”?