“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.
Congratulations Ruth for speaking out. We often only get this kind of media from your country too, it’s the way media works everywhere, but it dispells despair to know that not everyone thinks like this. It is not easy to speak up but you did. Good on you.
I am ashamed and repelled by this heinous act. In the words of Bob Dylan: “when will we ever learn? oh! when will we ever learn?”
As I initially heard about this story on the news this week, I wished the press wouldn’t bother to give hateful intolerant sick people like this “pastor” the attention they are seeking. Although it does bring to the public the stark truth that individuals like this do exist and we still need to be vigilant and proactive in eradicating such ignorance and intolerance in our nation and the world.
While the day September 11 has left a permanent scar on the psyche of not only America, but the world; for me it is a day of joy and hope. It is the birthdate of my first, and to date, my only grandchild. My prayer is that this generation coming up will find a peaceful path, and that we will have the courage and strength to point the way. As parents, mentors, friends and mental health care givers we are challenged to both teach and show by example the importance of living at peace with ourselves, our communities, countries and the planet. As Cormac McCarthy pointed out in The Road, we have no greater task than to “carry the light” and to teach our children likewise. May each and every one of us find individual ways, large and small to do this everyday.
I believe there are only 50 congregants in his “church” –sounds as though he is the leader of a cult rather than a religious representative. The publicity he is getting gives him more credibility than he deserves. While the Constitution does guarantee the right of free speech I believe it also limits one’s right to incite riots and violence. It is one thing to express provocative speech and quite another to express provocative behavior in a way that incites others to take violent actions. Would we stand by now and try to reason with someone who promoted lynching or forbidding someone to attend a school because of the color of his skin? We did that once — and the Federal government finally stepped in and prevented such extreme discrimination — and freedom and democracy did not suffer from that action — in fact, we are all better off now as a result of making a national statement that we will not tolerate such behavior.
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 world’s 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 many fundamental Constitutional freedoms have been excised in the name of national security. WE (PEOPLE IN EVERY COUNTRY) MUST NEVER AGAIN SUBMIT TO MANUFACTURED AND PROGRAMMED FEAR WHOSE ONLY PURPOSE IS /WAS TO ROB US OF OUR FREEDOMS.
When a woman met Ben Franklin out side of 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 modeled its goverments on the US model. Americans are called upon to defend this 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.
I’m against this pastor’s demonstration. He is misguided. A violent demonstration never accomplishes anything. God gave us the power to change evil to good, by leaving us Himself in His Holy Mass to be offered sacrificially to the Father. It was left for our good and His honor. Why use burning books, or anything else. This Holy Mass is within the Traditional Catholic Church.
Let’s hope there will be many on this side saying “No, I don’t agree with this act of this particular radical group of people” and many on the other side saying: “Let’s acuse just this act of this radical group of people and turn our good will to all the others!”
As already stated it is heartening and inspiring that both as a healer and of baptist background that you are speaking out on this issue-all of the people who support truth and communication and respect hopefully will state their disapproval of this book-burning-at the same time we might remember that our governmemts have designed World Trade Agreements that lock much of the third world into poverty that also feeds hate and resentment and deeply impacts on the daily lives of many peoples ,more in real terms of hunger lack of education and disease than this objectionable book burning does. As Studs Terkel said we must come to value the life of an Afghani or Palestinian child as much as that of an American or Israeli child only then will our world become a safe place for all of us.
Hate begets hate, and fear fuels hate.
Thank you, Ruth, for your eloquent letter and for encouraging this forum and this opportunity to speak up and speak out.
Add my voice to those speaking out against the “pastor” from Florida who would burn the Koran. His misguided generalizations confuse Muslims with terrorists and target a whole religion as evil. Such logic is disingenuous, misleading, and wrong. And worse, it is dangerous because it is based in hate and built on fear.
Perhaps the pubic dialog will bring some reason into this morass. I hope that the voices that prevail in this discussion tell more people, “Target the terrorists, not the Muslims.”
I am moved and grateful that you have honored our position as healers by addressing the realm of the political/spiritual. Our willingness to hold and communicate our beliefs regarding equality and the honoring of diversity is, I believe, the bedrock of our work.
I will be attending an alternative event Saturday honoring the sacred texts of all the major religious traditions, Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic. The only response I know to take to events such as those planned in Florida (or not planned, now; there is some confusion as to whether or not the pastor will go ahead with the Qu’uran burning)is to point out the damages and identify other, healthier pathways.
Forgive him for he knows not what he is doing. Praise his zeal and tell him he will be safe when he shows his love rather than hate.
Bigotry and hostility sadden me greatly. Having come of age in the “60’s, I’ve fought against these and thought we were making progress. Recent reversals of that trend are frightening, but I believe that I must do whatever I can to support and foster what I believe in. In the case of this pastor, I was cheered to learn that he will consider desisting from his planned Koran burning if he hears from the White House, so in this particular case, I’m counting on the President. For the many other frightened, disaffected, wreckless, angry people in this country today, our electing just and intelligent congress persons, and supporting educational campaigns that simplify the connections between governmental action and people’s real welfare seem like good places to begin.
Basically, this proposed event in Gainsville fits into 2 categories for me. One, it is a hate crime. Two,it is book burning. Preachers like this are not religious people to me. They are filled with hostility and narrow-mindedness that seem to match those issues that are quite similar to those of the radical Islam to which they object. The profound ignorance and prejudice they display is rampant in our society. It reflects a widespread inability to think and reason.
-Marlene I. Shapiro, LCSW-C
Owings Mills, Maryland
1. I wonder why Mr. Jones waited 9 years to express his convictions; could it be that he is looking for notoriety?
2. I must give Mr. Jones credit for uniting so many. Love prevails.
3. I send him love, much love.
“Dear God, help me to love so completely, that there is no room for bitterness.”
What we have in Florida is a group of people heavily into eschatology (the study of the end days) who feel it is to their advantage to precipitate a major international crisis to further their agenda of facilitating their supposed battle of of Light and Darkness with the ensuing day of judgement following. It is to our advantage to bathe all parties involved with the healing light and love of God (regardless of the name or source) to moderate the situation.
I am ashamed and embarrassed that yet another one of my fellow American Christians has made it more probable that those of other faiths will now look at us with suspicion and mistrust. Now American Christians will appear to the rest of the world to be radical extremists. I do not equate terrorism with the Muslim faith. I am so sad that others do. I pray that the rest of the world does not equate American Christians with being radical extortionists.
Surely one of the qualities of a great leader is to lead by example and such actions as are planned can only incite hatred and lack of understanding. In today’s world we need all the understanding and love we can muster and forgiveness is a very empowering quality.
I hope this guy who professes to be everything Christian sees the error of his thinking and finds a way to empower his followers through love and forgiveness.
Islam is one of three Abrahamic faith traditions, including Judaism and Christianity. Mohamed’s brother-in-law was a Christian,and he admired Jesus. To say that any group of people is evil is bigoted and not based in fact. There are some Christian radicals who advocate the overthrow of the United States government, yet we do not hear them being pilloried by the religious right… perhaps it is time for folks to sit down and seriously endeavor to parse out the teachings of Jesus from right-wing Republican politics.
I can not believe the fanaticism, but yet it has beenm building, nasty word and deed, by nasty word and deed, for quite some time.
While i do not hold to any fervent religous beliefs, i do belive in good and evil, right and wrong as instilled by my upbringing.
Many more leader on all sides need to speak out against the craziness and evil of those hiding thier bigotry behind thier Religion.
I join with the others who have thanked you, Ruth, for giving us this opportunity to stand up against an action, which unfortunately makes our country appear intolerant to the rest of the world, endangers our troops and provides propaganda for extremists. I feel sadness for the Muslims who have called this country their home and have lived here peacefully for many years. Does this pastor really think that he is Christian? He needs a new testament tutorial!!
The Bible is God’s Word. God says, “Judge not ye one another, least ye be judged.” God also says “Vengeance is mine.” We all should pray, whatever our religion, and let go and let God handle it.This problem is way too big for us to solve. None of us are without sin in God’s eyes.God wants us to love & help one another, this pastor in Gainesville is not following God’s word.
I do agree that the media needs to back off!!!! There are many more important issues they should be reporting on.I also agree that the people that plan to build the mosque on that site in NY should have more consideration for the tragedy that happened there & build somewhere else.Enough is enough.
I have just heard on the news (from Australia) that sanity seems to have prevailed and the pastor has been convinced to abort his sad and misguided act. It is heartening to see the mostly consistent remarks against this proposed act. As members of the caring professions, we must be prepared to stand up for our values and BE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. And yes – may he be happy, healthy, free from suffering and be at peace with himself and the world.
Glenda Channells
Counsellor & Qi Gong Master
Queensland, Australia
Thanks to all of you who have said so eloquently what I would like to have said. Your Canadian Neighbour.
I think that what is being planned for Florida is terrible. Personally if harm results to our soldiers serving in the military I think that the clergy man should be held legally responsible. This is pure hatred. I know that it is not something that Christ would sanction. The only thing that I can think is this individual does not read his bible.
I am appalled at this unconscious, naive, and prejudicial intention to desecrate the Quron. I appreciate this forum to speak out in, but will these comments be delivered to Rev. Jones? The deep tenants of Christ did not suggest this act. Christ forgave on the cross those who were killing him. Let us not create distrust and violence through ignoring the tenants of Jesus. He would not/does not approve.
You are right doc. and thanks for raising the concious of people beyond bigotry and religious fanaticism but as human first. The root cause of all the problems, I think, in the current world is that there are certain words or terminologies which are perpetually used by self inerest forces in a generic form, (like free-enterprise, freedom and individual rights) that are confusing and mean different things to different people. This blur our judgement to delineate between the rights of individuals and the right actions. In the end nothing counts but the right actions, right intentions and right mind set. I think you must have read comments from politicians, like, that this person has the right but his actions are wrong. We therefore must avoid the loose use of these words and have the courage and wisdom to set limits and standards of acceptable behavior that are clearly defined and apply to every citizen for responsible behavior. There is no free lunch anymore. I believe we can be an example of real democracy with real solutions that work for everyone in the Modern Age and World.
Ignoring the efforts of the Pentecostal pastor in Gainsville, FL — runs contrary to what Dietrich Bonhoeffer notes in Ruth’s post above.
As mental health professionals we are called to not only be culturally sensitive and aware, but to advocate for “the other”, for those who have no voice when the main current creates an “-ism” so strong that others are marginalized in the process.
As a Christian, I am called to seek Christ in ALL persons and respect the dignity of every human being. This includes those who are different from others. This includes those who embrace a faith tradition different from my own.
It would be better to work from a position of common ground for discussions instead of marginalizing an entire cultural entity at the expense of a minority from within that same culture or faith tradition.
I am writing to add my voice with others who are concerned that actions based in misinformation and grounded in hate are NOT an appropriate response, if one seeks to further peace, dignity, and social justice.
Yes, the United States offers freedom of speech. However, in the spirit of Bonhoeffer, it is important that we speak up freely and boldly in the spirit of cultural awareness. It is important we give voice to “the other” who are being oppressed, marginalized, and 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.
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
It’s so sad to see a fear-ruled racist man who claims to be a “leader” of a religious group, however small, actually getting media attention for such hate-mongering. This book we’re discussing is not just some pages of ink, after all, or he wouldn’t be pulling such an ignorant stunt. He is purposely intending to incite hatred and violence. Whatever freedom he’s protected by in this action is being abused by obviously deviant and hateful behavior. The people who live by the Quran are not evil in any way. I am a white American with Christian background and much spiritual faith, but I honor all people’s beliefs. I have seen Muslim families severely mistreated by their Christian neighbors in this country because of wild imaginings of evil intent. It’s way out of control, people, and it needs to stop. We must stand up, as you say, Ruth, and I’m glad you spoke up to encourage us.
I’d like to applaud Forrest Jewell for such a good job articulating what we all need to realize. For too long, the people who have been in charge of our country have allowed hatred and horrendous ethno-egotism to grow way out of hand. We have no innate superiority nor do we have any evidence of innate evil-ness in any of these people by virtue of their ethnicity or their religion. Why did we found this country on freedom of religion and other freedoms in the first place? Because we know in our hearts that all people, regardless of their origins, should be considered innocent and good until proven otherwise. This is the thing in this case: we don’t have a clue who planned to bomb those buildings, but they sure weren’t brought down by a couple of planes and jet fuel. People who think the Muslim people are responsible for the controlled demolition of the world trade center buildings have blinders on and are sadly mistaken and naive. I see it as our job as counselors to help people to see the necessity of fair and judicious investigations into truth everywhere before casting blame and hatred on people who don’t deserve it. It only hurts the person carrying hatred and fear!
How can I not reply? In sadness, and in gratitude for bringing us together around this.
Mia Angela Barbera
Yay-Hey!!!! Well done Ruth & all the people who supported this protest-protest!!!
A. Basic Behavior Mod: to extinguish a behavior, ignore it, don’t reward it.
B. For most people, attention is a reward, and a lot of attention is a big reward.
C. This event would have died from disinterest and distaste if the media were not fueling it with attention.
Therefore
D. I intend to ignore it.
So relieved to see on aol news that the Quaran burning has been cancelled by that Florida reverend. (Hope this is an accurate report.)
His desire to burn the books is not an act of religious freedom, but an act just as terrible as painting Swastikas on synagogues, cross burnings on property of those different than the cross burners, etc.
Finally, other religious and political leaders of all beliefs have spoken out against someone who distorts the truth. As said by others, you cannot condemm an entire group for the evil acts of a few radicals. And all groups do have their fanatics.
I am not a professional; I am a child of God connected to all others. I agree with you, Ruth and all of the other posts that I’ve read. You have all said it so eloquently. I pray that, like Paul, the minister will be struck by the Light and will turn from the evil thing he is planning.
I believe in the Freedom of all people and of the sanctitiy of their choice of religon. Please think of the 10 commandments before you cast the first stone!
The beauty of America is that we have the freedom of free speach. What if everyone who feels that this man(not GOD or religon)should not express his opinon shower him with thought of love and peace. Maybe EFT can help him face his fears.
It is saddening that a Christian religious leader forgets some of the basic teaching of his religion and uses his authority/leadership of his church to spread bigotry and hatred. Has he forgotten “Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Love thy neighbor as thyself.” The Koran is a holy book to millions of decent people just as the Bible is to millions of Christians. Is he ready to take responsibilty for the results of his actions?
On the one hand I agree. This pastor’s behavior fits precisely the deeper (see the Greek) meaning of “idiocy.” On the other hand, he is picking up energy from all the attention, so to some extent this event is media influenced — the interviews I’ve seen almost drive a wedge into the middle and almost beg for something that will bleed (I suppose so they have something to report on). I’m also trusting that the Gainesville FD and perhaps the FBI will step in at the last moment to place him under arrest and not let the burning go ahead. His planned action is just plain stupid. Our general response also is strongly stupid. WE are living in a weird time. I’m not a Christian, and I’m married to a Jew, and we talk almost daily about how totally upside down everything is. It’s hard to “keep the faith,” and keep the faith we must.
I would like to repeat the beautiful words of Jen Perry, who commented above
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.
expressed in Love and Light
The ignorance, naivity and arrogance of this religious leader is obviously detrimental to any positive dialogue between the East and the West. – A pity that this man and his few followers get so much attention. – One fly has the potential to really cause the ointment of collaboration and dialogue to suffer in a great way.
I believe the real followers of Christ who believe in cross cultural relationship building and transparency, should unite in prayer for this man. Also pray for all the people who will inevitably suffer the consequenses of his foolish actions.
pharmacist lock haven, pa usa
Sure it’s wrong but it’s occurring in a society which seems to think it’s all right to kill a half million or so children in a combination of embargo and military invasion under false pretenses as this great bastion of freedom and democracy has done in Iraq. And, of course, it’s the same country where the destruction of a couple of buildings by a group of mostly Saudis justified an invasion of Afghanistan to kill bin Laden who as far as I know isn’t on the wanted list of the FBI for that particular event.
Of course, whatever is said by the favorite general-of-the-moment is bound to be important even though what is said by those people tends mostly to be inaccurate..
Yes, it’s wrong. But not because it is somehow outside what is typical of the United States.
The US war on drugs supports the Taliban and makes it possible for outlaw groups to destroy places like Columbia and Mexico and put the US at the top of the list of nations with the highest percentage of the population in prison largely because they are Black or Latino. What’s untypical is that the US didn’t launch a long war in whatever state McVay lived in when he blew up a building in Oklahoma City.
The burning of a Koran is wrong precisely because it fits right in with what the US typically does despite what assorted politicians and fellow travelers claim it does and despite what passes for history and civics in the society’s education and common knowledge.
Just because a few radical Muslims ignore the real message of their holy book is no reason to burn a book sacred to many Muslims who are not part of the radical fringe. It is a grave moral wrong to burn the sacred books of other religions. What would our reaction as Christians be if others were burning the Bible because of radical fringe Christians? And how does the burning of the Koran fit in with the teaching of Christ? “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…etc” Love one another as I have loved you.” The pastor advocating this burning could be considered as ill-informed and misunderstanding the real teachings of Jesus and putting ego above a rational Christian way of acting.
As I Christian, I can only hope that the Muslims and followers of Islam will see this pastor as the radical he is, and see that he is just as extreme as those he is complaining about. I pray God will answer his supposed prayer for guidance with a loud and resounding NOOOOO!!!!
Please let every decent human of every religious belief, and none, hope deeply in their heart for harmlessness and compassion to reach and redirect this person’s actions.
I acknowledge the right of any person to express their views – even their personal ugliness, hatred or judgement of others shows in their speech and actions.
I am thankful and appreciative that I have live with freedom of choice… and I choose to look with sadness and compassion as much as possible upon individuals I see expressing or growing hatred.
This man will receive no energy from me. I freely am choosing to focusing my attention away from him… toward news stories and personal actions which are growing the love, hope and energetic connections which can support and strengthen us all.
May the police actively enforce the laws which protect us from those who act in violence or encite other individuals to violence, no matter what excuses or justifications are offered.
Choosing joy,
Janice Smylie, PhD, CCHt, EFT.
When I was young, in the 50’s, my mother pointed out to me a picture in the newspaper of people marching in the streets, in our USA, with a sign “KILL A COMMI FOR JESUS’.
She explained to me how these two conpletely differant philosophies cannot exist together. I never forgot that talk and have passed this lesson on to my four now grown children,
Parents everywhere need to talk to thier kids about what they are seeing on the news and explain what it means to them and the world they live in. Not in hate or judgement but in a logical way. Even a child can see the inconsistency and “does not make sense’ message that the reverand is stating. As always, to make a better world we need to make susre that we pass our beliefs on the the next generation. Especially now when they are exposed to so many opposing views.
I understand that this man has a following of approxiamtely 50 people and he is getting all this attention ???
I question the media and their intentions when covering such stories or vile acts such as this one – that is what gives these people their power .
Whenever acts of anger, hurt and vengeance take place, I am disappointed that we still have so far to go to become wise enough to all live in peace. In a country where we pride ourselves with freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of any kind of opinion and lots more, we also have to be very careful that our freedom stops at the point of hurting anyone else, or degrading anybody else’s belief system. Burning the holy book of any religion is an insult and hurt to people of that faith. That’s where we have to draw the line. Besides not all of them are radical Moslems! The pastor in Florida may have and may express whatever negative view about Islam. He does not have the right to burn the Quran. Neither does anybody else have the right to burn the Bible or the flag of a country. Angry people, mostly radicals who have stopped thinking rationally to find a solution to their problems, engage in such immature and hateful behaviors. And then, of course, if one side engages in something that we know to be wrong, it does not mean that we have to respond in a vengeful act of anger, too. Responding to a wrong with a wrong doesn’t make a right. It leads to increasing violence and war. Since when has any war been a true solution to any problem? In wisdom, we have to recognize that when there is a problem at a global level, as good as our intentions may have always been, we must have contributed to the problem at some level, too. Nobody is perfect, especially not in the political realm! Why can’t we all attempt to find solutions rationally and peacefully? Why do we feel compelled to respond to acts of violence with violence? Why don’t we want to come up with practical and non-violent solutions, recognizing that often people with hate and anger are hurting that need to be addressed? Why can’t we recognize that we can all share the good things on earth and all be happy?
I am disappointed at another level, too. People with such irrational plans, like the pastor in Florida, bask in the attention the media give them. This pastor with a very small following should not have been “promoted” by the media. If his plans wouldn’t have been televised and published in every medium, he would have been doing it in such an unknown way that it would have been basically inconsequential. Let’s love rather than justify our anger and hatred. Such negative feelings, at the very least can damage our own health.
This whole media blitz on this pastor is ridculous. He is a small minded man with a small point of view. I heard from a reputable news program that he only has about 15 people in his parish. The problem is that he’s getting so much publicity. I don’t agree with his point of view. But let him have his point of view. This is America. But let’s not give him so much power as to flash his ideas and picture all over the news.
We are lucky to live in a country where all opinions and all religious beliefs are allowed. Most of the time this works, but when fear gets in the way lots of injustices crop up.
Most Muslims do not think like the terrorists and it is fear that causes people to put them all in a box. This saddens me. I pray that we all can become more tolerant and less fearful.