GET A LITTLE RAUCOUS
It seems to me that religious organizations such as churches, synagogues,
temples and mosques have been on their best behavior lately, and that means
quiet as well.
I have not heard one criticism of religion since the World Trade Center was
attacked on September 11. It's almost like the Taliban came riding into the
U.S. on black horses, with robes flying and swords held aloft, and stopped long
enough to cut out every religious person's tongue.
This morning I received an email from a person who works at a local
Lutheran Church. He accused Muslims of being rotten people because when
they give money to the poor, it is only Muslim poor who benefit.
This same Christian person said the only reason Muslims pray five times
a day is because they are forced to pray. That ungracious interpretation of
Islam was apparently shared by most of the church staff.
I took these criticisms to be a sign of hope. The prejudiced people are
finally breaking loose from their polite silence. I would say that most
people in the United States believe that Christians stand first in God's
judgment. I think the guy in last place would be the fortune teller who
lives here in town.
The fortune teller appears on his porch at odd hours dressed in his white
robes and wearing brightly colored head gear. He sits still and stares into
his crystal ball looking for answers to life's big questions.
The fortune teller says his craft is a religion. Of course, we take him
at his word.
It reminds me of a fellow who rented a house on the edge of town a few years
back. In time, there was a steady stream of people who came to him weighed
down by troubles. Most of them left smiling. His name was Archie, and his
only talent was touching people in certain ways that made them feel better.
He called himself a nerve-priest. He lasted about a year before the
Christians drove him from town.
Here is the challenge. In this country every religion known to man, woman or
child is held in esteem. We cannot legally kick a religion out of
existence, even though it is occasionally done.
But we can't possibly know who is religiously prejudiced unless people start
talking. If you have a complaint about a religion, let's hear about it. Put
up a sign outside your house. Write a letter to your local newspaper. Rent a
few billboards and hand out flyers. Why are you prejudiced people so shy?
Let's move out of the shadows and get a little raucous. We want you to speak
your prejudices loudly and clearly.
That's the only way we're going to know you are the enemy. We have a right
to know you are a person to be feared. We want to know why you believe our
beloved country should live in danger. Speak up and find out how the rest of
the world reacts.
Clark D. Morphew
Posted 11-14-01