A few days ago, we took the time to reflect upon the events
of 11 years ago. Then, the actions of that anniversary have shocked us
all over again. Is this deja vu all over again as the famous Yogi Berra
would put it? The Muslim world in the Middle East is in an uproar
ostensibly over a movie that may or may not even exist which allegedly is
critical of the prophet Mohammed. Demands are made from abroad to curtail
the First Amendment rights of Americans to prohibit criticism of Mohammed or
the Muslim faith.
Well, these new attacks and protests which appear to be led
by Al Qaeda leaders to avenge the death of Osama Bin Ladin again put strains on
the Western World and the relations between non-Muslims and Muslims. Our
Bishop, Felipe Estevez, properly asserted in his recent 9-11 message that we,
Catholics, reject extreme ideologies while embracing all people of all
faiths. How should we view and deal with Muslims when they seem to
embrace terrorism against us?
A couple of days ago, an American of Egyptian birth who
immigrated here over a quarter century before, called the Neal Boortz radio
show to apologize, on behalf of all mainstream Muslims, for the attacks of
9-11-01 and the attacks of this week. He explained with great clarity, as
did another Muslim caller, that the majority of mainstream Muslims reject
terrorism and such extreme actions. He pointed out that these extremist
are not correctly taught Islam and do not know it well at all. But, they are
duped by their leaders into emotional anti-Israeli and anti-American frenzies
to further the agenda of their leaders.
The problem we have had in being more loving towards our
Muslim brothers and sisters may lie in our media. Our media loves to show
conflict in order to get readers and listeners. So, they, apparently, do
not consider it important to report on how the vast majority of Muslims do not
support extreme terrorist activities. It is vitally important to the
cause of truth and for us to have the correct view of Muslims to know
this.
The second danger we have is to give into demands that we
change our American way of life, especially, our First Amendment rights to free
speech, to shut down any criticisms of Mohammed the prophet or Islam. All
religions from Judaism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism and many
others have all been subject to media criticisms and inaccurate accounts.
But, it is a small price to pay for the greater good to protect our rights to
protest the government openly when it infringes on our other First Amendment
rights to the free exercise of our religious beliefs.
We must have fortitude to get through these times and we
must, as our Bishop directs, to embrace all peoples of all faiths. Again, pray
for those who suffered and died and for their families and friends, and assess
your own reaction and your own faith.
Let me know what you think.
Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!
REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and
Secretary-Treasurer
Perhaps we Christians need to "demonstrate" our acceptance of those of other faiths. If some of us went down to the Jacksonville Landing with signs stating that we desire peace with our Muslim brothers and sisters, would the media even cover our event?
ReplyDeleteHMB
I especially liked the comments regarding embracing all peoples of faith, assessing our own reactions, as well as our own faith.
ReplyDeleteThe correct view of Muslims can start with each of us asking questions, inviting Muslims into our lives, and showing love toward them.
We know the media loves a good crisis, and now that news is 24/7, it is not possible to escape without withdrawing entirely from the media. Counter with letters to the editor, call-in radio shows, phoning the manager of TV and radio stations, using social media, etc. If we don't attempt to correct this wrong, nothing will change to balance the news and peoples' views.
Our First Amendment rights are not for sale, for blackmail, or for barter. We have in the past and will in the future defend the right of all Americans to free speech, even when we recoil at what is said. Remember, however, that you have free speech also--use it to defend peace-loving, devout Muslims who make up the majority of the faith. A few extremists do not represent the whole. A few will not prevail--unless we let them. We must ask God for direction, for courage, and for the softening of our own hearts
and minds as tragedy once again touches America.