Today marks the 150th anniversary of the start of  the American Civil War.  (Do they still teach it as the War Between the States or the War of Northern Aggression in southern schools?  Sigh.) 

While this 19th century bloodshed wasn’t directly a faith conflict — not compared to Europe’s Catholics vs. Protestants, India’s Hindus vs. Muslims, etc., etc. — the Civil War was a kind of struggle for our country’s soul.  Here are three interesting faith-related stories:

• How the Bible was used to justify slavery, abolitionism (CNN Belief Blog)
• Long-lost letter sheds light on Lincoln’s faith (Religion News Service)
• In Civil War, the Bible became a weapon (USA Today)

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.