Hate is Not a Christian (Muslim, Jewish, or Any Faith For That Matter) Value

Fulwider, Engel, and Musri (L to R)
Lovingly known as "The Three Wise Guys"

The article below appeared in the Orlando Sentinel just over 10 months ago.  As the out-of-town hate group, "Operation Save America" descends with all its venom on our Central Florida community this week, it is important for people of compassion and good faith - especially from the Christian community who sincerely try to live out the love of Jesus in the world - to make clear statements in conversation and practice which separate this out-of-town group and their cruel hate from the true teachings of Jesus which are all about God's unconditional love.  It is also a time for all people of good will and heart from every community of faith and of no faith group to stand together against hate, but more importantly, for LOVE.  I was in a long meeting this week with two of my dearest friends - Imam Muhammad Musri of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, and Rabbi Steven Engel of the Congregation of Reform Judaism - and we committed once again to stand with each other in the face of this hate group coming to town.  the Rabbi and I are on the Imam's speed dial, and we will be there when and if he needs our support this week!

This hate group and their convicted criminal-stalker-leader are in Central Florida to bring their vitriolic and violence provoking message of hate to women's clinics, the LGBT folks who are our friends and an important part of our community, and to our Islamic friends and neighbors in Central Florida.  May each of us find the courage of our convictions to speak clearly in opposition to any voice of bigotry, hatred, and destruction.  People of "Good Faith" are needed for such a time as this.  We are needed to stand with our friends, our community, now!

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From the Orlando Sentinel...

My Word: Faiths must counter Islamaphobia

September 05, 2010|By Bryan Fulwider

In Gainesville, a church called the Dove World Outreach Center plans a Quran-burning on Sept. 11, the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. In Manhattan, protesters and politicians denounce plans to open a mosque and community center two blocks from ground zero. In Tennessee, local and federal authorities investigate a fire at the site of a mosque being built by the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. Preliminary evidence indicates arson.

Ignorance and intolerance are not values espoused by any of the great religions of the world, including Islam. Yet, as a Christian pastor, I've become increasingly disturbed by the attitudes of many otherwise reasonable people who profess to believe in freedom of religion and to follow the teachings of Jesus. How did we reach this point?

We're living in an age where there's more information, more readily available, than at any other time in history. Yet, ignorance is rampant. We're living in a world where we're able to interact with a greater variety of races, creeds and colors than ever before. Yet, intolerance is rising.

In the story of Jesus, there is not one book burning, not one protest against a house of worship, education and peace. Our greatest enemies, in fact, are not loving people who seek to live in accordance with their beliefs, be they Christian, Islamic or Buddhist. Our greatest enemies are extremists who seek to harm those whose faith differs from their own. Too often such acts are carried out in the name of religion. But it's nothing more than hate, brokenness and sinful behavior.

The day following the tragic events of nine years ago, I met with the Islamic community in its house of worship for prayer. The Rev. Joel Hunter, senior pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed, and I were the only Christian pastors there that day.

I also convened the Interfaith Council of Central Florida to discuss ways of responding while offering support to the entire community, including our Islamic friends. Through the years, I've served on numerous interfaith panels promoting peace and understanding, and led many trialogues with Imam Muhammad Musri and Rabbi Steven Engel.

In June our church sponsored a series of films and discussions led by members of the local Islamic community. Attendees learned that those who follow the true tenets of Islam — the majority of Muslims — are people of peace who clearly reject any notion of violence against others.

Islamaphobia must be countered by Christians and people of other faith traditions ready to engage in the hard work of faithful dialogue and relationship building. Otherwise, as the cliché goes, the terrorists truly do win.

The Rev. Bryan Fulwider is senior minister at First Congregational Church of Winter Park/United Church of Christ, and Chair of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida.

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the Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used to say, "The time is always right, to do what is right!"

In whatever ways a person of any faith community may struggle with certain things, whether they be about issues regarding abortion, homosexuality, or Islam - or - about corporate and bank greed, the mistreatment of the poor in society, and the self-serving practices of right-wing politics, there is never a time for hatred of the other and inciting violence against those with whom we disagree.

Now is the time to be a voice and presence of courageous love, compassionate care, and loving concern for those in our community being targeted by this out-of-town hate group ...as we do that together, through non-violence, indeed "we shall overcome!"