September 11, 2011

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
 Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
 Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
 Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
 Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Gospel of St. Matthew, 5:2-10

     September 11, 2001 is another day which will live in infamy in the memory of Americans.  It was on that fateful morning that airplanes, hijacked by Islamic extremists caused unspeakable carnage at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  In doing so they violated the tenants of their faith, they dishonored their families through their acts of hate, and they cast an aspersion on the millions of peace loving people all over the world who adhere to Islam.

     Recently, there have been a number of controversies about the Islamic Center that is planned in the general vicinity of the former World Trade Center.  Let's be perfectly clear here: Islam did not attack America.  Terrorists, blinded by the words of a madman, did.  Islam, like the other great religions of mankind, is a faith of peace.  Yes, its true that in the past, there have been those who have killed in the name of Allah.  However, the history of Christianity is not without incredible acts of savagery done in the name of God, (the Crusades come to mind), and the acts of Jewish armies in the Old Testament cannot be easily reconciled with what we consider civilized behaviour today. The point is, no modern faith is without skeletons in its closet, and yet all still stand for for fundamental principles: Peace, Love of God, and that we, as the Children of God, should honor His commandments and not kill.

     America is a nation founded on freedom.  Our rule of law, our record of tolerance is held as a shining standard that most of the world looks to with envy.  Yet, there have recently been some who would tarnish that standard.  The leader of the cult-like Dove World Outreach Church, in Florida, with his message of hate and intolerance toward Islam, is an embarrassment to not only the Christian faith, but to America.  Yet, he has a constitutional right to be both.  Those who have protested against the Islamic Center proposed several blocks away from the World Trade Center site are another example of bigotry, intolerance and a tarnish on America's tradition of tolerance.  Again, they have a constitutional right to their opinion, but so do also the adherents of Islam have a right to practice their faith.

      On September 11, 2010, we should not be dealing with these devisive issues.  We should be remembering those who died that day, the thousands of men and women from not only the United States, but from many other nations also, whose only crime was to be in the wrong place.  We should remember that until those who wish to commit these acts of unspeakable evil, in the name of their faith (or for any other reason), are hunted down and brought to justice, that the battle against this evil is not over.

      Let us all, of whatever nationality, of whatever faith, stand together on September 11 and remember in silent prayer those who died that fateful day.  let us also pray for the souls of those who commited this act of violence and hate, remembering that God is their ultimate judge.  Finally, let us pray for peace, a peace in which all persons, of whatever faith, can worship their God in whatever fashion they feel right, without worry of reprisal, ridicule or harm.