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

[Turborama]

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.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

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

More on this and video in LBN: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4531494

[ihavenobias]

1. # 8 n/t

[applegrove]

2. Wow!

:applause:

[Turborama]

3. Video of the full press conference at the National Press Club is now online

Introduction and further links to the different sections and full C-Span video posted here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x502867

[me b zola]

4. K&R

[Douglas Carpenter]

5. I just watched the entire presentation on C-Span archives - here is the link:

It's particularly moving to hear the voice of major Jewish leaders who relate to the experience of prejudice, bigotry and ignorance.

link:

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2010/09/07/HP/R/37816/Religious+leaders+Combat+fear+and+intolerance+over+Islamic+center.aspx

.

[Dorian Gray]

6. Awesome

This all needed to be said, and I'm happy that religious leaders are saying it.

It's a FAR cry from the shameful burning of the Koran in Florida.

[Enthusiast]

7. K&R! I love sanity!

[pinto]

8. Reminder - Please post no more than 4 paragraphs of copyrighted material.

© 2007 Islamic Society of North America. All rights reserved. Design Credits.

Thanks.

:hi:

[Turborama]

10. Sorry, and noted. As it was a joint statement I assumed it was OK to post the whole thing

I'm usually a stickler for the 4 para rule but I thought this was one of the rare exceptions.

:hi:

[Bragi]

9. There is something hugely important missing from this statement

What seems to be missing here is any clear statement indicating that:

People in the US and abroad also need to understand that any individual or group of individuals in the US is free to criticize, condemn, or even insult any religion or religious views they wish to criticize, condemn or insult, and in the U.S., any religious person who feels offended is at liberty to respond to critics in kind.

While statements against any religion are legal, constitutionally-protected free speech made by individuals, they are not issued on behalf of all Americans or their government. Such statements represent only the views of those making them.

Because of this, it must be understood that it would be and is intolerable for anyone to threaten or engage in violence against America or Americans in response to any criticism or condemnations of their religion by any American individual or group of individuals.

I am sad that the interfaith statement neglected to point out the importance and meaning of free speech in America, and its relevance. Though I belong to no faith, I am all for religious tolerance (I truly am) but I am also opposed to accommodating anyone or any faith group who feels that they are justified in making threats, or engaging in violence or rioting or otherwise doing harm to others, because they feel their religion has been insulted.

If it is not timely to clarify and assert the importance and implications of free speech now, then when exactly is that message supposed to get through to those who think that violence is an acceptable way of responding to religious offense?