President Obama recently visited a mosque in the U.S. for the first time, in an attempt to rebut "inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim-Americans," according to CNN.
The president gave a 45-minute speech at a Baltimore mosque, much to the criticism of others. For the community leaders, it came as a relief.
“You’re not Muslim or American, you’re Muslim and American. And don’t grow cynical," said President Obama.
While I have my issues with Obama, this is not one of them. Our Republican candidates do not understand the power their words have. We as a nation cannot afford a revolt, nor can we afford another terrorist attack.
As someone who doesn't identify as religious, I don't care what you believe, as long as you do not seek to harm the ones I love, or me. This country (not the 13 colonies) was founded on many freedoms, including religious freedom.
Our Bill of Rights protects our choices when it comes to practicing religions, or the lack thereof. The government cannot create a law based off of a religion, nor can they create a law prohibiting religion. When we start changing the rules, the door is open for more rules to be changed.
Pew Research recently found that two-thirds of Republicans and those who lean towards them would prefer a president that is outspoken and somewhat critical of the Islamic faith. But my question is this: Aren't we feeding into the fears and stereotypes that radical Islam promotes? Are we not making it easier for them to accomplish their goals? Why is discrimination the first option? Why not understanding? That doesn't mean you have to agree or follow, or even condone. Understanding just means getting a handle on the situation; it means knowing what is going on and why it is going on.
Pew Research also found that 68 percent of Americans didn't lay the blame on the religion, but the people, stating that religious violence is "violent people using religion to justify their actions.”
As polarized as the opinions are for former President George W. Bush, he was somewhat progressive in comparison to the views of Muslims today. Don't believe me? This is what he said shortly after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11th:
“The faith of terror is not the true faith of Islam. Islam is peace. The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself...I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims around the world. We respect your faith. It’s practised freely by many millions of Americans, and by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful. And those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah.”
Even his brother, Jeb, said that it was a move in the right direction.
We say that Islam is violent, but no one wants to talk about the horrors associated with Christianity. We don't define other Christians by the mass slaughter that occurred during the Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition. Terrorism does not defeat terrorism. Caution is wise, but paranoia is not.
Call me a bleeding liberal or a "treehugger," but being a human with thought and decency is not a crime. Let me make this clear: I'm not attacking anyone. Seek to understand before you act. Don't be the fuel to someone else's fire.
