By Pam Linn

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Tolerance, respect dispel extremism

There has already been way too much attention paid to a Florida xenophobe who threatened to burn a pile of texts held sacred by Muslims. But it’s hard not to pass judgment on a megalomaniac with a history of manipulating media for little more than self-aggrandizement.

Inciting fear of the unknown or misunderstood “other” is nothing new. It’s a well-worn tool historically used by those who seek power. But hijacking an ongoing dispute over the location of a Muslim community center and sympathy for victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is, in my view, despicable.

The debate on Sunday talk shows focused on the media’s responsibility to inform viewers while limiting exposure for publicity seekers. Some media outlets did that pretty well. The Associated Press, for instance, limited its coverage to one small story a day. Cable news channels gave it more play, but then they do have many hours to fill. Network morning shows scheduled interviews, some of which were cut short by savvy news anchors. To be fair, Fox News seemed unwilling to wallow in the mud. Well, this fellow who calls himself a preacher has all the charisma of a rabid badger. Hence the paucity of his followers.

One benefit that may have come from this kerfuffle is what seems to be more open discussions of religion and politics (once shunned in polite company). On Saturday, a small band of hikers spread out a picnic lunch on a sunny meadow in the Gallatin Forest. The group included church members of various Christian denominations, one agnostic, a self-described “lapsed” Catholic and a practicing Buddhist. All had many acquaintances outside their faith (or non-faith) although none had close Muslim friends.

The discussion at first centered on respect for other people’s feelings, in this case the 9/11 survivors or victims’ families, maintaining that respect shouldn’t preclude the building of an Islamic center near the site they deem sacred. Can feelings also be hurt by a simple misunderstanding, and if so, shouldn’t the criteria be intent?

One hiker recounted stories of people who say their feelings are hurt by what they perceive to be a slight of some sort. The Buddhist said she couldn’t remember feeling slighted. “If someone comes up to you and says you are the ugliest person on the planet, that’s their problem, not yours.” I probably would have asked, “When did you last see your optometrist?”

The imam whose New York project is in question has worked diligently to spread understanding of his faith and its basis in peace. How is it possible that so many people in this country equate the destruction caused by a few disaffected Muslim extremists with the religion itself? Could it have been the hatred spewed by a few of our own extremists?

The following day, more than 100 Bozeman residents gathered on the front lawn of the public library to respond to what they say is escalating anti-Muslin sentiment and the threats by the aforementioned publicity seeker. This event took place in a town that has issued permits for parades on Main Street by both tea partiers and gay rights marchers.

The Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association and two human rights organizations organized the event, called “Respecting the Sacred.” Among the speakers were a rabbi, a priest, an imam and pastors of several local Protestant churches.

Dr. Ruhul Amin said most of the animosity toward Islam lies in misunderstandings about what Muslims believe. “People think Muslims are anti-Christian and therefore evil,” he said. Then he read from chapter three of the Quran, which speaks of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. “Learn the text before you burn it,” he suggested, prompting laughter and applause.

Once we grow up and have either accepted or rejected the beliefs of our parents, we tend to seek whatever kind of support we need during times of crisis. If a certain church or its members provide solace or advice or comfort, then that’s where we go. Dogma is beside the point.

It seems that’s where the country is right now. If we’re disappointed with our leaders, maybe we expected too much, too soon. It’s easy to accuse, to scapegoat, to find fault with one we hoped might walk on water, but neither politicians nor preachers seem to have the answers.

Platitude alert! It’s time to find common ground, to stop fearing others, to seek wisdom and develop a level of comfort with uncertainty. If we can remember to respect each other’s feelings and beliefs, there’s a chance we might work through all this without inflaming extremists of any stripe.

And wouldn’t that be a step in the right direction.