So what are the prospects for interfaith dialogue?I was taken yesterday by the recent post by Media Matters for America on '"Most Outrageous Right Wing Comments of 2006." This was published recently on alternet - I share a couple of comments made about American Muslims.
For example: CNN Headline News host Glenn Beck to Representative-elect Keith Ellison, D-Minn.: "OK. No offense, and I know Muslims. I like Muslims. … With that being said, you are a Democrat. You are saying, 'Let's cut and run.' And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.' " [11/14/06]
Or then consider Right-wing pundit Debbie Schlussel on Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.: "So, even if he identifies strongly as a Christian … is a man who Muslims think is a Muslim, who feels some sort of psychological need to prove himself to his absent Muslim father, and who is now moving in the direction of his father's heritage, a man we want as president when we are fighting the war of our lives against Islam? Where will his loyalties be?" [12/18/06]
So can the religious community address this bigotry?
Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and host of the daily Christian radio show The Albert Mohler Program: "Well, I would have to say as a Christian that I believe any belief system, any world view, whether it's Zen Buddhism or Hinduism or dialectical materialism for that matter, Marxism, that keeps persons captive and keeps them from coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, yes, is a demonstration of satanic power." [3/17/06]
So we wonder why interfaith dialogue dialogue is so difficult. As Homer simpson would say, "Duh!"
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