Dear editor,
With the recent announcement by Jerry Falwell that he considers Muhammed to have been a terrorist, I feel it necessary to defend not only Islam, but Christianity as well. It's important to defend Islam for several obvious reasons.
In the past year Muslims have come under fire for no other reason than their religious affiliation being shared by the Sept. 11 terrorists. I think it's important that we disconnect a religion from a terrorist act, as well as differentiate between a few religious zealots and the rest of the members in their faith.
Also, the moment that we allow the interrogation of someone based on their religious beliefs, we are opening the door for that to happen to all of us. More and more, I am finding myself having to defend followers of Christianity. Jerry Falwell is obviously an extreme example of everything that's wrong with the way people distort religion to meet their own personal agendas.
Jerry Falwell is no less zealous than any of the terrorists. He and people like Fred Phelps (you may have seen him portrayed in the theater department's recent "Laramie Project") are not representative of most Christians.
Contrary to what either of them say, Muhammed was not a terrorist, and God does not hate "fags." I watch people pass by Bracken and roll their eyes at the preacher or make fun of him. If you don't want to hear the message, keep walking. However, it's important for us to realize that the same freedom that allows those preachers to preach in public is the same freedom that allows you to ignore them and practice whatever you choose.
Someone once said to me, "I hate those Christians." I don't think they knew that I am a Christian. Would it have been acceptable in our current society for this person to say, "I hate those Muslims," or "I hate those Jews"?
Before you judge or criticize, take a moment to at least understand that Islam, Christianity, Judaism - most religions - teach tolerance and forgiveness. Do we really need a reminder?
Kris Owens
senior
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