|
|
Hate Radio
Hate radio, as Fog calls it, may be creating a lot of hate, but have you considered what some of our esteemed religious leaders are doing to promote the cause of hate? These people would be the last place anyone should look for any kind of example to our young people.
Here are some examples I picked out of today's paper.
We all heard about Falwell's comments [on 60 Minutes] where he said Mohammed was a terrorist. That set off riots around the world and removed a lot of doubt around the world on whether this country hates Muslims.
Then there's Pat Roberson who called Mohammed"a robber and a brigand." If that wasn't enough, he went on to say Islam was "a monumental scam." This is the same guy who went on TV and blamed 9/11 on abortionists, gays, lesbians, feminists, the ACLU and People For the American Way.
These guys are starting riots and they have the nerve to point the finger at others. ...What's scary is that they have thousands of followers and rake in millions of dollars to promote their warped views.
Next have the Billy Graham's son—the friend of the President— who called Islam "a very evil and wicked religion."
Islamic fundamentalists are having a field day with such comments, and it only justifies the causes of the terrorist fringe. This also makes it very hard for the 1.2 billion peace loving Muslims around the world to try to temper the fundamentalist rhetoric of those who have terrorist tendencies.
But, it's not just right-wing nuts that are setting new lows in religious tolerance. The Rev. David Benkie, a Lutheran, was condemned by fellow ministers for taking part in a prayer service in Yankee Stadium after 9/11 to pray and sing patriotic songs.
Six pastors from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod are trying to have him bounced out of his church because he "participated in idolatry by participating with non-Christians." According to a newspaper account, one of the accusing Rev's said the Rev. Benkie was an "idol worshiper."
Why? Because Benkie appeared on stage with non-Christians while trying to bring people together in prayer and patriotic songs. Since this involved standing alongside "heretics" and standing in silence as others such as Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Christians of other denominations prayed, he "participated in idolatry," and they want him thrown out of the church.
Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't Christ supposed to represent tolerance, forgiveness and compassion?
While your letter isn't exactly an example of tolerance and moderation either, you seem to have your basic facts right, so we'll just publish it without comment.
© 2005, All Rights Reserved
