Religious leaders unite against Koran burning ("A Blight on America's Spirit & Soul")

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

Religious leaders have openly condemned plans by a Florida church to burn copies of the Koran on Saturday.

The statement follows the widespread condemnation of plans made by Pastor Terry Jones to burn copies of the Koran on the 9/11 anniversary.

The leaders - including Dr Ingrid Mattson, President of The Islamic Society of North America, Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington and Rabbi David Saperstein from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism - issued a statement condemning the church's actions during a 'clergy summit' to discuss the controversy over plans to build a mosque close to where the Twin Towers once stood in New York.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11223312

---

Video of their statement at the link.

Religious Leaders On Anti-Muslim Frenzy: "Silence Is Not An Option"

by SARAH POSNER

The Islamic Society of North American today convened an "http://www.isna.net/articles/News/ISNA-Calls-Emergency-Meeting-of-Top-Faith-Leaders-to-Address-Anti-Muslim-Fear-Intolerance.aspx">emergency interfaith summit" of religious leaders, which produced a statement unveiled to the press this afternoon.

The press briefing, at which ISNA released "http://www.isna.net/articles/News/Beyond-Park-51-Religious-Leaders-Denounce-Anti-Muslim-Bigotry-and-Call-for-Respect.aspx">Beyond Park51: Religious Leaders Denounce Anti-Muslim Bigotry And Call For Respect for America's Tradition of Religious Liberty," had a great feeling of urgency to it. Jewish and Muslim holidays are converging with the ugliest displays of religious hatred as the 9/11 anniversary approaches, and, as ISNA president Ingrid Mattson pointed out, as school starts this week, many Muslim children are anxious and fearful that their classmates "will look at them like aliens."

A number of religious leaders, including Mattson, spoke at the press briefing, which was one of the most highly attended press events relating to religion that I've seen -- except for events hosted by religious right groups. Richard Cizik, president of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, speaking to evangelical Christians engaging in or promoting anti-Muslim bigotry, said, "Shame on you . . . as an evangelical I say you bring dishonor to the name of Jesus Christ."

Many speakers, including Cizik, chided unnamed purveyors of anti-Muslim fervor as antagonists of the First Amendment. Richard Killmer of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture called it "a blight on America's spirit and soul." Several, including Cizik and Dr. Roy Medley, General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, noted how their own traditions thrived from the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution, a freedom they said people in their own faith traditions now seek to trample for Muslims.

More: http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/sarahposner/3284/religious_leaders_on_anti-muslim_frenzy:_%22silence_is_not_an_option%22/

-

CNN covered interfaith call to oppose Koran burning. Who didn't?

Cable news outlets showed limited interest Tuesday afternoon in a press conference where church leaders from a variety of faiths called for a united front against Koran burning and other aspects of Islamophobia.

Source: Christian Science Monitor


Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism speaks alongside
Bishop Mark Sisk of the Episcopal Church's Bishop of New York and Ingrid Mattson president
of the Islamic Society of North America during a press conference in Washington Tuesday
on the emerging atmosphere of fear surrounding the New York Muslim Community Center debate.
(Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom/File)

Washington

Despite the passions stirred by the Islamic center near ground zero and a plan to burn Korans on Sept. 11, cable news outlets showed limited interest Tuesday afternoon in a press conference where church leaders from a variety of faiths called for a united religious front against perceived examples of Islamophobia.

The Islamic Society of North America organized a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington where leaders from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths argued against what organizers called “an atmosphere of fear and intolerance” toward Islam.

C-SPAN and CNN carried the interfaith press conference live. Fox News Channel had no coverage, but instead had commentator Lou Dobbs holding forth on President Obama and the “sad isolated state this president has put himself in.” Meanwhile, MSNBC offered talking heads discussing Mr. Obama’s latest plans to spur the economy.

At the interfaith press conference, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the former Archibishop of Washington, said the growth of anti-Islamic sentiment was a “powerful moment that calls for a powerful response.” Cardinal McCarrick added, “our message is a message of working together.”

The Rev. Richard Cizik, representing the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, said “shame on you” to those who would burn another religion’s sacred texts. He was referencing plans by the Christian minister of a church in Gainesville, Fla., to burn copies of the Koran. He added, “you bring dishonor to the name of Jesus Christ.”

Full article: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Election-2010/Vox-News/2010/0907/CNN-covered-interfaith-call-to-oppose-Koran-burning.-Who-didn-t

[Turborama]

1. Transcript of the press briefing,...

Beyond Park 51: Religious Leaders Denounce Anti-Muslim Bigotry and Call for Respect for America’s Tradition of Religious Liberty

As religious leaders in this great country, we have come together in our nation’s capital to denounce categorically the derision, misinformation and outright bigotry being directed against America’s Muslim community. We bear a sacred responsibility to honor America’s varied faith traditions and to promote a culture of mutual respect and the assurance of religious freedom for all. In advance of the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we announce a new era of interfaith cooperation.

As Jews, Christians, and Muslims, we are grateful to live in this democracy whose Constitution guarantees religious liberty for all. Our freedom to worship in congregations of our own choosing, to give witness to our moral convictions in the public square, and to maintain institutions that carry out our respective missions—all of these are bedrock American freedoms that must be vigorously guarded and defended lest they be placed at peril. The United States of America has been a beacon to the world in defending the rights of religious minorities, yet it is also sadly true that at times in our history particular groups have been singled out for unjust discrimination and have been made the object of scorn and animosity by those who have either misconstrued or intentionally distorted the vision of our founders.

In recent weeks, we have become alarmed by the anti-Muslim frenzy that has been generated over the plans to build an Islamic community center and mosque at the Park 51 site near Ground Zero in New York City. We recognize that the vicinity around the former World Trade Center, where 2,752 innocent lives were cruelly murdered on 9/11, remains an open wound in our country, especially for those who lost loved ones. Persons of conscience have taken different positions on the wisdom of the location of this project, even if the legal right to build on the site appears to be unassailable. Our concern here is not to debate the Park 51 project anew, but rather to respond to the atmosphere of fear and contempt for fellow Americans of the Muslim faith that the controversy has generated.

We are profoundly distressed and deeply saddened by the incidents of violence committed against Muslims in our community, and by the desecration of Islamic houses of worship. We stand by the principle that to attack any religion in the United States is to do violence to the religious freedom of all Americans. The threatened burning of copies of the Holy Qu’ran this Saturday is a particularly egregious offense that demands the strongest possible condemnation by all who value civility in public life and seek to honor the sacred memory of those who lost their lives on September 11. As religious leaders, we are appalled by such disrespect for a sacred text that for centuries has shaped many of the great cultures of our world, and that continues to give spiritual comfort to more than a billion Muslims today.

We are committed to building a future in which religious differences no longer lead to hostility or division between communities. Rather, we believe that such diversity can serve to enrich our public discourse about the great moral challenges that face our nation and our planet. On the basis of our shared reflection, we insist that no religion should be judged on the words or actions of those who seek to pervert it through acts of violence; that politicians and members of the media are never justified in exploiting religious differences as a wedge to advance political agendas or ideologies; that bearing false witness against the neighbor—something condemned by all three of our religious traditions—is inflicting particular harm on the followers of Islam, a world religion that has lately been mischaracterized by some as a “cult.”

We call for a new day in America when speaking the truth about one another will embrace a renewed commitment to mutual learning among religions. Leaders of local congregations have a special responsibility to teach with accuracy, fairness and respect about other faith traditions. The partnerships that have developed in recent years between synagogues and churches, mosques and synagogues, and churches and mosques should provide a foundation for new forms of collaboration in interfaith education, inter-congregational visitations, and service programs that redress social ills like homelessness and drug abuse. What we can accomplish together is, in very many instances, far more than we can achieve working in isolation from one another. The good results of a more extensive collaboration between religious congregations and national agencies will undoubtedly help to heal our culture, which continues to suffer from the open wound of 9/11.

We work together on the basis of deeply held and widely shared values, each supported by the sacred texts of our respective traditions. We acknowledge with gratitude the dialogues between our scholars and religious authorities that have helped us to identify a common understanding of the divine command to love one’s neighbor. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all see an intimate link between faithfulness to God and love of neighbor; a neighbor who in many instances is the stranger in our midst. We are united in our conviction that by witnessing together in celebration of human dignity and religious freedom; by working together for interfaith understanding across communities and generations; and by cooperating with each other in works of justice and mercy for the benefit of society, all of us will demonstrate our faithfulness to our deepest spiritual commitments.

We are convinced that spiritual leaders representing the various faiths in the United States have a moral responsibility to stand together and to denounce categorically derision, misinformation or outright bigotry directed against any religious group in this country. Silence is not an option. Only by taking this stand, can spiritual leaders fulfill the highest calling of our respective faiths, and thereby help to create a safer and stronger America for all of our people.

ATTENDEES

Rev. Father Mark Arey
Director, Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Galen Carey
Executive Director of the Office of Governmental Affairs, National Association of Evangelicals

Rev. Richard Cizik
President, New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good

Dr. Gerald L. Durley
Pastor, Providence Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Mohmaed Elsanousi
Director of Community Outreach, Islamic Society of North America

Prof. Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer
Chair, Department of Multifaith Studies and Initiatives, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Dr. Welton Gaddy
President, Interfaith Alliance

Rabbi Steve Gutow
Executive Director, Jewish Council for Public Affairs

Rev. Donald Heckman
Director for External Relations, Religions for Peace

Bishop Neil L. Irons
Executive Secretary, Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church

Mr. Rizwan Jaka
Board Member, Islamic Society of North America

Rev. Rich Killmer
Executive Director, National Religious Campaign Against Torture

Dr. Michael Kinnamon
General Secretary, National Council of Churches (NCC)

Imam Mohamed Hag Magid
Vice President, Islamic Society of North America

Rev. Steven D. Martin
Executive Director, New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good

Father James Massa
Executive Director, Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Rabbi Jose Rolando Matalon
Rabbi, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun

Dr. Ingrid Mattson
President, Islamic Society of North America

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick
Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, Archdiocese of Washington

Bishop Donald J. McCoid
Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Dr. Roy Medley
General Secretary, American Baptist Churches

Rabbi Jack Moline
Director of Public Policy, Rabbinical Assembly

Mr. Nicholas Richardson
Communications Director, Archdiocese of New York

Pastor Bob Roberts
Pastor, Northwood Church in Keller, Texas

Mr. Walter Ruby
Muslim-Jewish Relations Program Officer, Foundation of Ethnic Understanding

Rabbi David Saperstein
Executive Director, The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)

Rabbi Marc Schneier
President, Foundation of Ethnic Understanding

Rabbi Julie Schonfeld
Executive Vice President, The Rabbinical Assembly, the Association of Conservatives Rabbis

Dr. Parvez Shah
Secretary General, Universal Muslim Association of America

Bishop Mark Sisk
Bishop of New York City, The Episcopal Church

Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed
National Director, Islamic Society of North America

Rabbi Steve Wernick
Executive Director, United Synagogue

Mr. Jim Winkler
General Secretary for Church and Society, United Methodist Church

Mr. Safaa Zarzour
Secretary General, Islamic Society of North America

Dr. James Zogby
President, Arab American Institute

From: http://www.isna.net/articles/News/Beyond-Park-51-Religious-Leaders-Denounce-Anti-Muslim-Bigotry-and-Call-for-Respect.aspx

Also posted as an OP in GD: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9092441

Still looking for the full video from C-span.

[shireen]

10. Welton Gaddy was on Rachel's last night

He is such a cool guy. I always drop whatever I'm doing to listen to him. And I'm agnostic.

[Turborama]

11. I saw that just now in the videos forum, Hissyspit has added it

I thought he was excellent and I'm agnostic, too. :hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x502855

[Turborama]

2. Reuters: Religious leaders condemn "anti-Muslim" frenzy

By David Alexander
WASHINGTON | Tue Sep 7, 2010 8:58pm EDT

(Reuters) - U.S. religious leaders on Tuesday condemned an "anti-Muslim frenzy" in the United States, including plans by a Florida church to burn a Koran on September 11, an act a top general said could endanger American troops abroad.

Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious leaders denounced the "misinformation and outright bigotry" against U.S. Muslims resulting from plans to build a Muslim community center and mosque not far from the site of the September 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks in New York by the Islamist militant group al Qaeda that killed 2,752 people.

Tensions have risen with the approach of both the September 11 anniversary on Saturday and the Muslim eid al-Fitr festival that marks the close of the fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected to end around Friday. Passions have been further inflamed by Terry Jones, the pastor of a 30-person church in Gainesville, Florida, who has announced plans to burn a Koran on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Jones says he wants to "expose Islam" as a "violent and oppressive religion."

Religious leaders, including Washington Roman Catholic Archbishop emeritus Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Dr. Michael Kinnamon of the National Council of Churches, released a statement saying they were "alarmed by the anti-Muslim frenzy" and "appalled by such disrespect for a sacred text."

"To attack any religion in the United States is to do violence to the religious freedom of all Americans," said the religious leaders, including Rabbi David Saperstein, head of the Union for Reform Judaism, and Rabbi Julie Schonfeld of the Association of Conservative Rabbis. "The threatened burning of copies of the Holy Qu'ran this Saturday is a particularly egregious offense that demands the strongest possible condemnation by all who value civility in public life and seek to honor the sacred memory of those who lost their lives on September 11," they said.

Full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6864BW20100908

[pipoman]

3. Not too many things more demonstrative

of USAmerican freedom than protection of offensive speech, freedom of association, freedom to demonstrate, and freedom of religion...all of which are being demonstrated at their most extreme in this issue. These "religious leaders" are trying to minimize the possible retaliation by denouncing this, yet it is precisely these bozo's protected right to burn Korans which also protect these self appointed "religious leader's" right to be "religious leaders".

[Turborama]

4. I see nothing wrong in condemning the "anti-Muslim frenzy" that has been engendered by the Reichwing

If you actually read their joint statement and listen to what they have to say, they are making powerful arguments against bigotry and hatred. I am not a religious person but I found their statements powerful.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x502867

[pipoman]

12. They certainly are fine to denounce the action

if, however, they were to urge the .gov to stop or prosecute these people for burning the Korans, they would be endangering the exact freedom which allows them to assemble and practice their religions.

[Turborama]

18. Which is a big IF

Because I haven't heard any of them urging the government to stop or prosecute these people. However, I call for them to stop and that they should be prosecuted if they break the law, which they will be doing as their fire permit has been denied twice.

[pipoman]

19. As long as the fire permit isn't being denied on political grounds

or if there are permits being issued to others in the area, it could be found to be a constitutional denial...it will be interesting to see how this shakes down..

[Turborama]

20. I think you're clutching at straws to make this a political issue

Fla. city denies permit for 9/11 Quran burning

(AP) – Aug 18, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Officials in a Florida city have denied a burn permit for a church that is seeking to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11.

Interim Fire Chief Gene Prince said Wednesday that the open burning of books is not allowed under Gainesville's burning ordinance.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h4qiOIPISetSVPDByC90nxCTL0vAD9HM7I1O0

[pipoman]

21. I am? Really? You don't see this as a political issue?

you haven't noticed the bevy of politicos weighing in on this?...No, this is a political issue with no help from me...

[Turborama]

22. No, I don't see the topic of this thread as a political issue. n/t

[LanternWaste]

6. Six of one, half a dozen of the other...

"yet it is precisely these bozo's protected right to burn Korans..."

Nor more, nor no less than it is precisely the right of the clergy to denounce it. Merely six of one and half a dozen of the other...

[sabrina 1]

13. Not all speech is protected. People need to understand this.

Whether this book burning case is or is not, I cannot say. But if it ends up in court it very well could, based on rulings in other cases, fall within the several areas where some speech has been ruled as NOT protected.

[pipoman]

15. Please cite a case which would lead to that conclusion...

The reason crying fire in a theater isn't protected is because a reasonable response is to stampede the door. The reasonable response to someone burning a book certainly isn't killing someone or responding with violence. We all better hope this would be upheld as protected speech, and I believe that virtually every similar SCOTUS case has found similar speech to be protected.

[sabrina 1]

23. There have been many rulings against certain types of speech

and it is a fact that not all speech is protected. Libel, slander and defamation of any kind eg. And here are a few other forms of speech that are not protected.

When Are Threats Protected Speech?

The First Amendment to the Constitution declares that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech." But not all speech is protected by the Constitution. Exceptions exist for speech that is obscene, that presents a clear and present danger, for "fighting words," or for speech intended to incite "imminent lawless action."

Another kind of speech that is not protected is a "true threat" — something that a reasonable listener would understand as an actual threat of violence.

This case may be actionable for several reasons. That doesn't mean, even if it is and if someone were to prevail, that it would mean the banning of burning books. It would simply mean that in THIS case the speech is not protected for reasons that violate another person's rights, such as their right not to feel threatened or fearful. Since Muslims have stated they ARE frightened, some enough to leave their homes and go elsewhere when this happens, they are legitimate potential claimants, as people who feel reasonably threatened by the actions, or speech of another, do have the right be file suit.

I think this case could fall under the 'fighting words' exception to protection.

This 'pastor' has been told his actions could incite violence, so he has an opportunity to avoid that possibility. If he goes ahead after being warned, even by the AG and a U.S. General, then he is saying 'bring it on' in effect. Not to mention the current climate of hatred towards Muslims in this country today. Many factors are taken into account in individual cases. I would not be surprised if a civil suit is filed against him.

The Phelpsians’ Picketing and Fighting Words

Under the “fighting words” exception, speech is unprotected if “tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace” by provoking a fight, Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire (1942), so long as the speech consists of a “personally abusive epithet[] which, when addressed to the ordinary citizen, , as a matter of common knowledge, inherently likely to provoke violent reaction,” Cohen v. California (1971), and is “directed to the person of the hearer,” and is thus likely to be seen as “a direct personal insult.” See Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire (1942); Cohen v. California (1971).

In fact the state or local authorities could probably file suit against him for disturbing the peace as his actions under the current circumstances are not just a protest, they are an incitement to violence which he has been warned about.

Anyhow, it's not as black and white as some seem to think. There are exceptions to the protection of freedom of speech.

[pipoman]

24. Only the most egregious types of speech

thus the Klan is, to this day, allowed to publicly assemble, as are Nation of Islam, and Westboro Baptist "God Hates Fags" idiots. All of whom certainly are more likely to "incite an immediate breach of the peace” than these fools burning a few books on their own property...No, IMHO this doesn't even come close to an exception to the first amendment...not even close.

The standard, if you look at other cases, to determine one form of speech or another isn't protected is; 1) "“fighting words” exception, speech is unprotected if “tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace” by provoking a fight" and 2) Would the breach of the peace be the reaction of a reasonable person to the content of the speech? It is rarely found that violence over speech is a reasonable reaction. Further the likelihood this would cause "immediate breach of the peace", is almost nonexistent since it will be happening on these people's own property.

[marshall]

16. The ACLU fights tirelessly to defend such rights

Flag burning, book burning, bra burning, draft card burning--there's a long history.

[pipoman]

25. Yep

further, those who so strongly wish this speech wasn't protected, should only look at the examples you posted to see all of the examples (sans book burning) are most likely Liberal demonstrations.

[Turborama]

5. Link to full news conference at the National Press Club on C-Span

Here: http://www.cspan.org/Watch/Media/2010/09/07/HP/A/37816/Islamic+Society+of+North+America+News+Conference+on+US+Attitudes+Toward+Muslims.aspx

Several clips posted on the videos forum, too: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=385

[Uncle Joe]

7. Self-delete due to technical error. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

8. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Turborama.:thumbsup:

[shireen]

9. i hope someone calls the fire department during the burnings.

:evilgrin:

[sabrina 1]

14. The Fire Dept has already refused a permit, twice I believe.

This moron has said he will go ahead anyhow.

[Honeycombe8]

17. No protestant leaders joined the group against the burning? Hmmmm.

Only groups who have experienced discrimination themselves? Interesting.

[CJvR]

26. Not surprised.

When the Satanic verses were published and Khomeini put out a contract on Rushdie much of the religious community thought the big issue was blasphemy rather than publicly contracting a hit. Once you manage to introduce censorship for one religion it will be very easy to slip the rest of them in through that same crack.