Tolerance

Are Christians more tolerant than people of other faiths? Some of us probably would say “yes.” After all, they claim, we live with the Constitution which says, as the [mostly Christian] framers wrote, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…” These words were written in the first amendment, and result from the usual legislative process in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate. The amendment was ratified by the States in 1791. So we expect that we all can worship in this country as we choose.

Yet we know that many in this country seem unwilling to “allow” a Muslim congregation to build a community center within a couple of blocks of the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City, because that center would contain a mosque. [Apparently all the local laws and ordinances have been satisfied by those proposing the construction.] Most of those who have taken a position against the building claim to be Christian. I wonder if they are demonstrating tolerance.

I recently read of a Christian pastor who will burn Qur’ans on September 11, 2011, to “memorialize the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.” [“Pastor stands by his plan to burn Qurans” published in The Sacramento Bee, August 26, 2010, Page A6] I can only ask, “Why?” Does his behavior represent the tolerance one would expect of America?

While some seem very uncertain of the Pastor’s motives, I’m sure that to the Pastor, his motives are quite clear. He’s described in the article as “evangelical.” And in the article, he claims the Qur’an is “filled with lies.” Therefore, he believes, as an “American Christian,” he has a right to burn the Muslim holy book. A right? Who in the USA has a “right” to abuse another’s belief set this way, especially the holiest book in their faith tradition? Is this what Christians are taught about how to treat other people? [This is being written before September 11, so when you’re reading this later, you will know how this ended.]

Laurie Goldstein writes in the New York TIMES that many Muslims are feeling very insecure about their future in this country. She reminds us that, after the September 11 attacks, our President Bush “…went to a mosque and said, ‘Islam means peace,’ and said, ‘Muslims are our neighbors and friends,’ [emphasis mine] and distinguished between terrorism and Islam.”

About tolerance: Jesus taught us Christians to love our neighbors. Perhaps this is the time for us who claim the Christian name to act. Perhaps now is the time for us to ignore those religious and political leaders who would have us forsake Jesus’ teachings of love and forgiveness. Certainly it’s time now to question carefully our beliefs and actions as we consider what difficulties our Muslim sisters and brothers may be facing in our nation. Are we consistent in following Jesus’ way? Or are we adhering more closely to our earthly leaders?