Re ”How a War Became a Crusade,” by Jackson Lears (Op-Ed, March 11):

I am a Christian but would prefer that President Bush kept his religious beliefs to himself, particularly at a time when war looms. While I worry about the erosion at home of the separation of church and state, I am concerned that a conflict abroad will be interpreted by non-Christians as a religious war of America’s God against theirs.

Mr. Bush’s war against ”evil” and his practice of ending speeches with ”God bless America” may be well intentioned, but his words could reinforce the feeling among non-Christians that a conflict in Iraq is really a thinly disguised religious crusade.

In a battle between warring Gods, will everyone lose?

CLAUDE M. GRUENER

Austin, Tex., March 11, 2003