The Spirit Speaks To A Texas Minister About Building Mosques In America
Posted by Chuck Freeman | Filed under Religion & Culture
Time stamp – Thursday, Aug 12, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Islam,
“I am sickened by the BS going on by the religious & political right with the center in NYC & Mosques across the country. I wonder if we can get some Austin religious leaders together and make a statement, do a service project together etc. to counter this. This is beginning to pick up national steam and is in need of being addressed here. I plan to do a portion of my sermon on this Sunday. My topic is courage.”
Islam is the Imam of the North Austin Muslim Community Center in Austin, Texas. I consider him a friend and brother. We have shared lunch and coffee together numerous times. I have had him on my radio show “Soul Talk” on several occasions.
I have prayed with and spoken to his religious community. Islam and I had a frank conversation during a worship service at my church entitled, “A Window Into the World’s Most Controversial Religion.” Afterwards we had a congregational Q&A and then a dozen of us treated Islam to lunch for more dialogue.
Islam invited myself, a Rabbi, and a Comparative Religion professor to his Muslim Community Center Tuesday, August 18th for a strategy session around the national mosque controversies. According to Time magazine there are at least six Mosques being vigoursly opposed across America.
I have been marinating my conscience in Jefferson’s bedrock American principle upon hearing so many disgusting, hyperbolic, voices whipping up peoples bigotry and fear.
“Well aware that Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion…
Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly, That no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in nowise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.”
This magnificent revelation became the cornerstone of our Bill of Rights, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
As I walked into the Mosque I couldn’t help but notice there were two trucks parked near the entrance owned by a local company doing work in the building. The logos read, “Liberty Mechanical.”
The Spirit moves in mysterious ways! America’s cardinal canon was confirmed.
I spoke these words to my congregation two days earlier.
“Courage calls us to the maturity, wisdom, and discretion to find a balance between protection and principles. How can we protect ourselves and those we love without renouncing our principles? How would you like your religion to be judged by the worst of its adherents?
Our world is in a major transition. It is changing with 4 G network speed. Change produces fear in us. As humans we often act out of this fear choosing to create the “Other.” We demonize and target them. Courage charts another course.
Gandhi said, “The practice of nonviolence calls forth the greatest courage.” I’m asking you. I’m asking this church to live our faith, our principles. I’m asking your courage to be more embracing than the fear.”
I’m asking the same of you.
August 20, 2010 at 7:37 am
Inspired by Chuck’s sermon, I decided to do something. I went to Cafe Press and put up bumper stickers so that I, and any others who shared my beliefs, could let the world know that we want the US to be the country it set out to be in the first place: one where everyone is welcome, regardless of religion (or lack of it). The stickers say:
America: Founded on Religious Freedom for ALL
and
Religious Intolerance is UN-American
They are covered in flags, so that perhaps the people who wave flags without much thought to what they stand for will look, and will see that a real American does not hate anyone because they worship a different deity.
I feel a wee bit better having at least done something.
August 20, 2010 at 10:25 am
Please send us the link so we can buy one/pass it on. This is great!
Soulfully,
Chuck
August 23, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Excellent, Chuck! I have joined a Daughters of Abraham group here in NE Tarrant county, an I am going to suggest we take some kind of action. I’m also gonna ask Tony what he has in mind and ee if we can’t get some positive interfaith action up here.