“First they came for the communists, but I was not a communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unions, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And then they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the few brave Christian leaders to take a stand and speak out against Nazism during World War II. For that he gave his life. He was executed while in a concentration camp in 1945.
He was one of my heroes in college.
Today, I feel compelled to speak out. You’ve probably read in the news about the Pentecostal pastor in Gainesville, Florida who espouses anti-Islamic philosophy and plans to burn copies of the Quran on Saturday, September 11th.
Try as I might to understand what is planned, I cannot, yet I know I must. I was raised a Baptist – I’m the daughter of a Baptist minister and my religious and spiritual roots grow deep.
Just yesterday as I accompanied my elderly father, The Reverend John Buczynski to his doctor’s appointment, I thought we might talk about this protest, but he couldn’t. In sadness, he simply shook his head.
Have we lost our compassion for others who hold beliefs different from our own? Have we forgotten that the Holocaust was perpetrated by wrong-headed Christians?
Intolerance and prejudice, if repeated enough, can become “truth.” While the intentions of this Florida pastor seem to reflect “his truth,” such a protest can only stir up hatred and anger.
An incendiary event such as the one planned for this coming Saturday can easily lead to violence. And I fear this is only the beginning.
Gen Petraeus has indicated that such an event that associates Islam with the Devil is only going to create a backlash in Afghanistan and bring harm to our own troops.
We need to stand up for what is morally right. We need to ask Pastor Terry Jones not to hold this demonstration that can only incite more harm and intensify religious intolerance.
As health and mental health care practitioners, we need to be agents for understanding and compassion in our communities and to reach out globally.
We need to help defuse the hatred and the anger that fuels extremist talk and belief – it can only play into the hands of those who want to do us harm.
In closing, I can’t help but remember back to Dietrich Bonhoeffer and think: “They’re coming for the Muslims” and where will I be?
Let us not find ourselves standing alone.
This is an important issue. Please leave a comment and tell us what you think. Include your full name, profession, city and state and country.
Terry Jones,
May you be happy,
May you be healthy,
May you be free from suffering,
May you be free.
May we all be happy,
May we all be healthy,
May we all be free from suffering,
May we all be free.
Ruth, thank you so much for the alert! I’m on vacation and out of the loop news-wise. Unbelievable of a true Christian. Jesus said there would be tares or weeds among the wheat. There are those individuals who are deceived in their beliefs. Read Matthew 7:21-23. That is what he is going to hear from God if he doesn’t repent of his wickedness. Don’t you just get weary of this ol’ world sometimes. We’ve all got work cut out for us. What a privelege to be in this profession. For some individuals, we really do make a difference. That’s what gives meaning to my life.
Pat Edmundson, MA LMHC
Psychotherapist/Counselor
Camas, Washington, USA
Love begets love and violence begets violence. This truth does not care about morality or justice. It’s a math equation. Just like 2+3=5.
Just as sure as water is wet, the actions of the pastor in Gainesville will inspire feelings of anger, hate, victimization, helplessness, persecution, and self righteous aggression. He is sowing the seeds of war.
Almost as disturbing as this man’s ego trip, is our media falling over themselves to give him publicity.
A civil society cannot continue to exist let alone flourish in this atmosphere.
Those of us who do care can only do what we can each day as we are going, to show kindness and respect to all.
Yes, what this man is doing is very wrong; he is a nut, and a pretty greedy and opportunistic one to boot. What a great way to raise money among the wingnuts and also perpetuate more fear and hatred against the “other,” and gain all this great publicity. If only the media would just ignore nuts like these fools.
And let us not forget this is a grand old American tradition (burning of books). Have we forgotten what was done to Wilhelm Reich in (circa) 1947? The man was investigated by the FBI and incarcerated in federal prison for his views on sexuality where he died at the age of 57 and his books were BURNED by the order of the FBI. Not only that, his books were banned until approximately the early 70s in this country.
Also, the above quote which is also one of my favorites is, I believe, attributed to pastor Niemuller (sp?)
I agree with you completely. I am a christian and devoted to my faith. I will not be moved from it. Neither will I be led to hatred. It is difficult enough to deal with ordinary life problems and situations without buying into the notion that if you are not exactly like me, there is something wrong with you. Maybe it’s because righteousness is so sure for some that no one else should have a different “truth.”
Thank you Ruth for speaking out.
We live in Germany and have heard about the plans for a demonstration and I just could not believe such a stupidity of idea. Such an action can only aggravate the hate in people who already hate. It will mobilize the actions for even more victims.
We need to move past the “us” vs. “them” mentality. There are no “others” there is only “we.” Sitting in prayer and meditation, no matter what you believe can help to bring this truth to light.
Ruth, I’m glad you sent this message. It touches the heart of something for me: how are we as humans best able to address the discomfort we feel with otherness? So often our fears for our survival take on dramatic expressions that not only disconnect us from a direct sense of these fears, but also lead others to pay attention to the drama without knowing what underlies it.
In my calmest state of mind, I would ask the pastor in Florida to express his wants, as difficult as that may be, without publicly invoking the diminishment of anyone’s values or integrity. “I am afraid” is a great first step.
From my own life and from His words to us, Jesus came to save, not to condemn. My salvation, which came after flirting with Islam, is because of Christ’s love and compassion…if He had condemned me, which I deserved, how would I know Him?
“they’ll know we are Christians by our love…”
I’m so sad for the misguided caring, caring that moves to hate and hurting. And yet I love them too! How do we show love for our enemies…
You’re pretty naive to think this is just a minister deciding to burn a book. Look into the politics behind it as it is just another attempt to provoke a response from the current administration and add fuel to the debate about Obama’s religious affiliation. It may take a few weeks before we find out it was all planned by the Rush/Beck wing of the Religious Right.
As a Christian, I believe we love and respect our neighbors as ourselves. Burning a Holy book is unacceptable behavior in my opinion. He’a acting like an attention-getting child and we are giving him our attention for an unacceptable action.
Here are a couple of websites to find out more about this guy, Terry Jones – in case you haven’t seen this.
Of course, I agree with you.
Like most of your correspondents, I too am appalled by the Pastor’s proposed act of burning the Quoran. However wicked the attack on the World Trade Centre was, using the Muslim holy book as a weapon of protest is not only wrong, but could act like an incendiary on the fanatical element in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan and rebound on our troops, or indeed, on the American public.
This man is not a Christian.
Thank you, Ruth for your outrage and compassion…
In my work as an interfaith theologian and inclusive spiritual director, this issue has come up in my dialogues, and so I posted my thoughts on tolerance and reply to the mosque building on my website- but it is too large for copying here.
I truly appreciate all the forceful and insightful comments I am reading- Now, if only they would be heard in our churches! Currently, I am exploring how to start an intentionally interfaith spiritual community in Charleston- Maybe if we drop denominations and historical differences, we will arrive at the universal qualities of wisdom and compassion- the best antidotes to prejudice.
This is an example of the dark side of some devotional enterprize( ray 6 for those familiar with the rays) It is fanaticism. This is also a most unchristian act and in fact is no different from the radicals against whom he wishes to fight.He is the enemy he is fighting.
Thank you Ruth for giving us a forum to comment and express our personal values.The Lord said “Judgement is mine”. Burning the Koran qualifies as a Hate Crime and benefits no one.The anger that should appropriately be directed at one bigoted individual will wash over all of us. Reason and Emotion live in different and unconnected parts of the brain.But,let us Pray that God’s Love, not Hate, and Reason will prevail.
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).
If this rule were only faithfully obeyed by all people – it would lead to end all wars, all conflicts and personal fights, and transform this world into a paradise of peace and harmony.
Thank you, Ruth, for this opportunity to reflect and respond. I add my voice of dismay and disappointment to the voices of the many who have already posted their comments and lower my head in sadness with your father. I hope there is a way to share these thoughts with Mr. Jones.
I just got it, Donna: he is a closet Muslim.
Fanaticism is perhaps the one constant that inevitably leads all who drink of it to harm others. I feel very sorry for this poor soul who can seem to find no other way to communicate beyond his small flock then to yell “fire” in a very crowded movie theater.
If the definition of a Christian is “one who follows and believes in the teachings and example of Jesus Christ” – then this pastor in Florida is NOT a Christian.
To accuse Islam as being responsible for 9/11 would be no different than accusing Christians of being responsible for the holocaust. In both cases these horrific acts were perpetrated by Godless, soulless people. These were people filled with fear-fed hatred and cowardice.
Terry Jones (he does not deserve to be acknowledged as a pastor) fosters fear, hatred, misunderstanding and spreads evil no different than those monsters who brought us the holocaust, 9/11 and the countless acts of brutality our human history is all too filled with.
NOTHING GOOD CAN COME FROM VIOLENCE AND THIS IS VIOLENCE! NOTHING GOOD CAN COME FROM PREJUDICE! THE ACTIONS THAT ARE BEING PLANNED HERE WILL MAKE YOU FACE YOUR CREATOR ONE DAY! WAKE UP PASTOR AND ALL THAT FOLLOW YOU!
I do not understand how someone who teaches from his Holy Bible could do this. Does he not read and learn from anything from it?? How can you preach about God’s love and then spread fear and hate? God is love, for every living thing. God is peace. This man is not spreading the Word of God. He is serving another master. His own ego, perhaps. I pray that he wakes up and spreads love instead of hate.
I was raised Baptist, and then became Catholic for the next 30 years. I am now seeking my own spirit…and believe in love as the answer.
As I understand it, this pastor now leads an 81 member church. Probably growing now. His “message” is being fed by the media attention he is getting. I believe that for some endeavors any publicity is good publicity and this guy is getting more than his share. The same thing happens with Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh. The progressives villainize them and add power to their celebrity in this way. This pastor is now gaining international attention at least partly because of the way the press is responding to him. Of course it’s a stupid and destructive thing he’s doing. No debate as far as I’m concerned. So what? I don’t think the (Bonhoeffer) analogy with not speaking out against the Nazis applies here. This guy is not committing crimes against humanity– he is exercising his right of free speech–just like an anti war flag burner.
There’s no easy answer to how the press should be handling this and the press should not be managed. But my comment is that this guy is doing nothing particularly unusual and is not worthy of my attention.
Psychologist, Vancouver, WA
I certainly agree that this kind of intolerance is destructive to democracy and our society. It’s crucial for us to speak up, as so many are on this blog. We should demand that politicians and other public leaders also speak up. Continue the good work.
I am convinced that religious tolerance must be adhered to to have a democratic society. We should let this religious group know we understand their frustrations but this is not the way to go. We should help them find more creative outlets for their anger and misunderstandings
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist. I spend my days counseling perplexed and wounded members of family systems. Many are searching for means with which to come to some sort of understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness for issues that have been painful and confounding to them. Many struggle with a sense of abandonment by those whom they innately feel should have kept them safe and protected. Others are working hard to bring two different value systems together in new or blended family systems. We work to create new realities of connectedness with others who may hold different social, spiritual, cultural, and familial perspectives. Our work is to move out of the smallness of fear and the tight-fistedness of self-righteous authoritarianism. Burning the Quaran, blaming and shaming others for their different belief system, only leads to deeper divisions. Instead we should be working to find common ground to support our common humanity and continue our evolution as human beings rather than hold ourselves in stagnant positions based on our differences.
In the world of anti-oppressive work there is the tenant of no power over but rather, only, power with. There is also the belief that some voices need to be silenced, when those voices are promoting power over and especially power over through violence and hatred. This is such a case.
When strong beliefs get mistaken for wisdom or a divine message, then the situation has crossed over into a quasi psychotic state. When these beliefs are incorporated into a larger system, as in this case with the connection to Christianity, then we have a privileged voice promoting violence and hatred towards others. I too strongly urge Pastor Jones to drop this action and hope that the joining of voices in opposition to this action will work to silence a message that needs to be silenced.
The burning of a book, the meaning of security, fear as a manipulative tool, and the war against an idea do have a clear Goal & Objectives template as a business model.
It’s time to speak out | Ruth Buczynski, PhD
The Bill of Rights are not up for a popular vote; ergo, the Right of expression remains with standing. The issue is one of a political nature that has two aspects: Moral Principle & Agenda Objectives.
The Moral principle, which has Christian roots, is to manifest a LOVING Path, and what is intended with the burning of a book is contra.
The Agenda objectives are to incite discord with and toward a group that is NOT associated with the complaints made by the complainant.
The real issue is the platform given by the corporate media to this church. It’s all a rouge to deter our collective focus on the Imperialist Wars that are waged in our name in several venues currently…some with the additional presence of our mercenaries, which are made more palatable with the title of Contractors, making it a business venture of sorts.
The General who complains and the President who complains of the harm that may be brought to our troops with this burning of a book dissociates and detaches from the harm brought to our troops by engaging in WARS that are by choice and for the benefit of business interests. The war in Iraq was and is a shame, a business venture gone wrong. The war in Afghanistan has never been justified. The unspoken war in Pakistan has never been clarified. George Bush initiated them where they remain today and continued by Barack Obama with no greater clarification nor justification, and never with any oversight by Congress.
Paper money is printed to support Wall Street and all the current wars had been off the books during the Bush reign while we continue the financial drain of these military ventures we cannot find the funds necessary for our domestic needs of healthcare, schools, energy grid, water sources, waste deposits, roads & bridges – our entire infrastructure. Our economy has imploded, life savings have been lost, jobs have been lost, home values are ‘under water’, and the seeds of discontent are very very very real – opportunistic for demagoguery, which is what history advises us to guard against.
The more central issue of our time period is the loss of our Constitutional government to corporate interests; the loss of our middle class; the loss of our sense of connection with one another as a collective, a family of sort that are bound together with a common agreement to advance and pursue LIFE, LIBERTY, & the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS by a government that is By and For the People and constrained only by a warranty of our Bill of Rights.
Therefore this momentary spotlighting of the whimpering outcry of hatred by this so-called church in Gainesville Florida has been elevated to an international platform, which benefits corporate interests who gain from an ongoing state of warfare in several countries and the greater focus and direction toward the evolvement and acceptance of a fascist State of these United States of America with the use of FEAR as a means to falsely bolster security and wage war on an idea that is called Terrorism.
Bullshit – security comes from the application of Principles. They foster conscience and promote empathy and seed the terrain of one’s life with the intended fruit of love, and love is – simply put, an acceptance of the things of life. Life is a struggle for survival. A bad day is an interpretation of a struggle. Out of it some life force survives. If you don’t like the consequences, then change the conditions which gives it life with the application of PRINCIPLE!
We are at war, a war with ourselves, a civil war. We are challenged in times of strife to apply Principle to right the ship of State. Love Is the Answer, it is effortless. Our Constitution frames the means by which we have a common agreement of how it should be achieved. Politically it requires a third or fourth voice in the political mix of parties as the current two party system has and is failing us. Their money trails are hidden and convoluted and we are detracted from locating them because we have yet to find common sources of good information that is collectively viewed.
As the political terrain evolves I find comfort in the principles of our Constitution and to those who seek to alter it I quietly bellow…
NEVER AGAIN!!!
Remember the White Rose
I was raised and educated in the USA from the age of 4 years to the time I married and returned to my native land at the age of 25 years.
I was raised on Jefferson, Lincoln, and the United States Constitution and Declaration of Rights. The USA was founded as a Constitutional Republic. The US Constitution established individual human rights and liberties that no other nation had ever allowed or benefited by. It was the foundation of the rest of the worlds rise to independence. The USA was based on a nation of individuals declaring their independence from outside authority. It’s founders admonished themselves and the people that they must protect and defend their rights from those (both domestic and foreign) who would take these rights away. In the wake of Sept 911 the people sold their freedoms for a little false security and many fundamental Constitutional freedoms have been excised in the name of national security.
When a woman met Ben Franklin out side of the hall where the founding fathers had gathered to establish the Constitution he was asked. “What kind of government do we have sir”. He was said to have replied “A Constitutional Republic madam, if you can keep it.”
The rest of the “free” world modelled its governments on the US model. Americans are called upon to defend their founding liberties from “those” (both domestic and foreign) who would take them away. I plead with my American brothers and sisters to get involved. Study your founding documents and sweep those who do not uphold them from office. Restore your Constitutional Republic before it is too late. Just as the US was the light onto the nations and was the model of enlightenment and human rights by which other governments were established, if you do nothing now that precious light will be extinguished and we will nation after nation fall into a dark age unlike any in human history. We stand together or we fall one by one, until there is no one left to stand at all. Individual human rights such as the Constitution has established come with individual responsibilities.
For more information on how you can get involved go to the Restore the Public website.
As a determined seeker, lay chaplain (hospital duties) and spiritual practitioner (prayer and energy medicine) I am very sad that this pastor – with a captive parish – has an audience. In Canada, what this man proposes would probably be considered a ‘hate crime’, inciting, and a criminal offense.
Is it time to consider the ramifications of enshrined ‘free speech’ when it denigrates and purposefully disrespects the beliefs of others? This so crosses the line… and I’m sorry, Joy Evans, the world evolves.
Yes, there are places in the world where a clerical hard line must come to terms with how the rest of the civilized and progressive world values women, but it is just plain silly to dwell on all the historic blather. If you want to go that route, you’ll have to also accept what the Crusades accomplished in creating this situation.
How can a person fomenting hatred also call themselves clergy? How is he better than what he protests? I’m going to look up his co-ordinates, send a letter of protest, and offer up prayer and love for all the Moslems he tars.
Blessings, Monica Duncan
Thank you for your statement on this issue. It is very important that voices of protest of this action be sounded strongly, widely and clearly. I am an Episcopal Deacon and a Pilgrim for Justice, Peace and Healing. I live in Watsonville, California. The following is a response to the proposed action of Pastor Terry Jones and the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida to burn copies of the Qur’an on September 11 that that I signed along with the bishop and clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real who were gathered yesterday.
A RESPONSE TO “BURN A QUR’AN DAY”
September 8, 2010
We, Bishop and clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real, are sadly outraged at the proposed burning of the Qur’an, Islam’s sacred scripture, on September 11, 2010 by the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida and Pastor Terry Jones.
Not only is this action ill-conceived and unwise, it is not in keeping with deeply held American values and principles of tolerance and respect for all religions; nor is it in keeping with the teachings of Christ. We do not believe, as stated by this group, that “Islam is of the devil”; on the contrary it is one of the three Abrahamic religions.
America the beautiful is also America the generous – a nation that has led the world. in demonstrating that its citizens who are from many races, speak diverse languages, and believe in God in different ways can, and do live together in peace and harmony while pursuing life, liberty and happiness.
This proposed action would be an insult to every Muslim in the world, all 1.2 billion of them. It would smear America’s claim to being a land where believers of any religion receive equal respect, and none is smeared by any other. It would place American troops, missionaries and citizens abroad in danger of their lives from attacks. We also believe this action would offend the vast majority of Christians in America, as well as other citizens, because it does not represent their belief.
In the strongest terms we urge Pastor Terry Jones and his community to drop their proposed action.
Pagan behavior has never been absent from the major world religions, if history be true. Even the “sacred” basic documents state clearly fatal outcomes are required for specific transgressions, including passages in the Old Testament. Private behavior license laws, if indeed they even truly exist at all, do not eliminate extremists. Above all misrepresentation as a justification for unacceptable behavior is commonplace in business, foreign policy, and from the pulpet. As pointed out in an essay I once read, the true believer is the most dangerous of creatures – behavior limits may be lacking altogether. The misbehavior is the problem, not the books. The behavior of terrorists and others whos behavior ranges toward the demented actually causes additional danger to the rest of us.
Most of this has already been said by other comments. Somehow it seems it helps me to say it again myself.
This is not acceptable that the will of 50 people overrides the interest of the people in the USA. What’s gained vs. what lost. What’s gained is the publisity. The adverse effect is to put the troops in harm’s way, increase hatred for the USA, and misrepresent the Christianity in the name of Jesus. What’s tragic is that we are drifting away from tolerating other people who differ from us and that’s bad for domocracy.
It’s unfortunate to see a pastor behaving this way. Inciting people to hate hardly seems like a path to heaven. I believe it was Ghandi who said “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” I’m sorry to say that lately, I seem to agree with his point more and more.
It is so sad to me the things that people do in the name of religion. This man is a leader in a community that espouses love, acceptance, and caring, but so often those values get lost in anger, vengence, and power. This man is an illustration of the reason that so many of the most intelligent, educated people of our country have chosen not to be associated with organized religion (Ph.D’s have the highest percentage of atheists/agnostics), atheism is on the rise, and church attendance is on the decline. He is everything that a leader should not be, and he is using the media and his position in the Christian community to spew hate and his own faulty beliefs. Many have done evil in the name of religion–how is this man any different than those? He believes it is different because he is Christian?
…Hitler was Christian…Stalin was Christian…Pol Pot was Christian…
Christians make up less than a third of the world’s population. With that in mind, how can this preacher justify his belief that the others are wrong? Islamic people make up a quarter of the worlds population. Does he honestly believe that 1.5 billion people deserve what he is doing, any more than Christians deserve to have the bible burned because of what Hitler did?
What would happen if a group of non-Christians were burning bibles? The public outcry would be huge against this. Have we become so narrow minded to think that burning of any book, especially a religious book is ok? This is not a matter of freedom of speech it is a matter of decency and respect. This is a matter of bigotry that needs to be stopped.
I am a therapist and I live in Oklahoma City.
Heidi and Louisa, I like both your ideas: Millions of Americans: The Million Americans march throughout the land holding a tolerance vigil: perhaps joining hands around the “church” in Florida; circles of thousands around that building: and each with a symbolic bottle of water. Perhaps reading from the Koran aloud or even softly. Every single church, synagogue, mosque, temple,, union hall, book club, bowling alley……a silent prayer vigil for civility and tolerance in our country. Let the Press be present, leave their cameras on as they, too, bow in prayer.
Like your Father, I can only shake my head at the absurdity of it all.
I wonder how would this pastor feel if an Islamic priest were to announce that he was to burn the bible publicly in protest for the people not allowing the Muslims to build a temple where they want? And what would be the repercussions of such a hateful action against a particular religion? This pastor is obviously not a man of God but a mentally ill man incapable of sound judgement. What a sad thing that he has had his moment of glory.
pharmacist, lock haven,pa usa
I have never had much connection with religions. I think everyone should be free to have whatever religion pleases them.
I just feel so deeply saddened by the ignorance, short-sightedness, and lack of compassion and understanding of this pastor, all of which make possible such actions as his. I can’t help wondering how he would feel if his Bible were burned in retaliation for his disrespect of others’ sacred texts.
This is so wrong, wrong, wrong. I pray that he will see the errors of his ways and not put the whole world in peril. Please, God, stop him before it’s too late!
Your father’s response to your question is so profoundly moving. What more can one say after that? My insides cringe when I hear the man in Florida referred to as “pastor”. That seems to give some validity to him and his actions: Perhaps we could all simply refer to him as “Mr.”
I wonder if a way to counter this by having hundreds of tolerance-promoting vigils around the country at the same time as the Quran-burning event.
Perhaps we need to address the PRESS! This so called Pastor is getting exactly what he wants…(international)press. UGH! You know what I would love to see…. BIG bunches of people with WATER to pour on any fire that is started. Since it’s going to be filmed…wouldn’t it say to the world (This man and his ignorance and hate does NOT represent the US.) If I had the $ I would be there with my water.
I love the thoughtful comments here. My background is as a Christian, who also has come to love and respect Judaism and Buddhism. I try to use Jesus as my model and ask “What would Jesus do?” From that, everything else should flow….not that it always does. Jesus always saw the truth, spoke the truth and did not turn a blind-eye when he saw evil. At the same time, his message was conversion of the heart, compassion and forgiveness.
It is easy to see why the Mosque situation inflames the hearts and minds of so many people in the United States. It is also easy to see why there are acts of rage that could fuel the flames even more. We were badly traumatized by the attacks on 9/11. That pain will probably take decades to overcome. Even though it was only a very small group of extremist Moslems who were responsible for this (who draw their power from violence)I think we are called to rise above that. Jesus constantly taught “forgiveness”, not retaliation.
I would rather have the Mosque far away from Ground Zero, even if it becomes a healing mosque with intentions of building interfaith communication and trust. I believe the intended location fuels the flames even more and could cause serious consequences by people who are “inflamed”, whether they show it by burning objects, demonstrating, ranting hate chants,or hurling bombs. I am concerned for the safety of “all parties”.
I also want to add, though, that I am very concerned about the potential of the Moslem faith to take a hold on America. I find their jihadis to be drawing their power from the darker side, and I am appalled at their history of how their women are treated, including contemporary history. Muhammad took 17 wives, including his own daughter in law. His favorite wife was Aisha whom he married when she was six and began having intercourse when she was nine. He preached conversion by the sword and was a conquering holy warrior who robbed all the possessions of conquering tribes and slaughtered the surviving men, women, and children…even personally overseeing such mass murders of innocent civilians. From that foundation, we can easily see how the jihadis could arise.
I don’t think we should turn a blind eye to the dangers of the dark side of this faith tradition. At the same time, we are called to rise above our own fears, our own trauma, and together create a more humane world.