”The possible questions are endless, but all that is typically asked is “Do you believe in God?” as if one person’s “yes” is pretty much the same as everyone else’s. This makes a mockery of the complexity and diversity of individual spiritual lives.”
A big thank you to Philip Goldberg for writing this post. However, I would have gone a step further, and asked why we might be hesitant to ask the more detailed, possibly intrusive questions.
“Whatever our faith tradition, we all should take the dangers of interfaith misunderstanding seriously because all of us — Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, agnostics, everyone — are affected.”
“Still, this new, spiritual Oprah won hearts and rewrote Winfrey’s image in the popular mind. Pundits began respectfully speaking of her as “America’s Pastor.” The New York Times referred to “the secular chapel” of her program.” Biographer Kitty Kelley would call her “a one woman cathedral.” By the “Prayer for America” event following the collective trauma of 9/11, Winfrey had confidently taken her place on the stage of America’s religious leaders.”
***Do you think Oprah is the most influential religious figure in America? How has it affected the country? Do you care?
“It is possible, authentic pluralism insists, to profoundly disagree with others while at the same time respecting, honoring, and perhaps even loving them.”
“See I fought for this country and still got condemned / Find myself marching with people who hated me / Yet I managed to call ‘em my friend.” That’s how Somli American poet and former marine Shirwa Hersi opens his poem “Terrorism is not a Religion,” about his experiences as a Somali Muslim in the American military.”
“Our nation will heal from the wounds we sustained on 9/11, but we must do so together. By acting in love and unity across lines of religious and secular difference, we can take another step toward reconciliation.”
“It’s no secret that American politics are polarized, and as one political party is increasingly identified by faith, the other is increasingly secular. In the last several election cycles, church attendance has been a leading indicator of voting preference. The more often a person goes to church, the more likely they are to vote Republican. The less often they attend, the more likely they are to vote Democratic.”
The Muslims Are Coming! Comics battling Islamophobia with laughter!
“Indeed, some politicians and lawmakers have invoked the language of “sin” in their opposition to gay Americans. But the discourse of “sin,” has no place in the political culture of a liberal democracy. Such discourse lends support to the historical fiction of America as a “Christian nation,” and limits morality as the special province of the religious and Christians in particular.”
The United States IS NOT Norway. Stop fear-mongering!
