A CALL TO ACTION: A Public Letter Regarding Christian-Islamic Relations in the U.S.

 

Dear Colleagues in the Christian faith and tradition:

 

A PUBLIC LETTER REGARDING CHRISTIAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

As Christians and Americans, we are called to speak out against the recent increase in hateful language aimed at Islam, one of the world's largest faith communities.

We condemn calls to burn Islam's holy book, the Koran.  God calls us to speak the truth in love, and there is nothing loving or compassionate about burning another religion's holy scriptures.  

We also wish to address the controversy that has arisen around the construction of Cordova House near the site of the World Trade Center in New York City.

It has been suggested that Muslims should not build any sort of spiritual center in that neighborhood, since to do so might be troubling to people who associate Islam with the destruction of the World Trade Center.  But this argument is based on false premises, and we should not allow unfounded prejudice to lead us astray.  Blaming all Muslims for what happened on September 11 is like blaming all residents of Upstate New York because Timothy McVeigh participated in the bombing of the Oklahoma Federal Building.  We should not bear false witness against our neighbors in this way.  Instead, we should join our Muslim brothers and sisters who reject violence and terrorism, and we should refuse to allow the acts of a misguided few to drive us all into fear and mistrust. 

In discussing this matter, some have referred to the neighborhood around the World Trade Center as "holy ground," suggesting that it is inappropriate for a mosque or an Islamic community center to be built there.  It certainly seems strange to suggest that a center where people might gather to pray would make an area less holy.  More importantly, if that neighborhood is indeed "holy ground," it is not made holy because of the tragic events that occurred there.  It is made holy when we choose to respond to such events by embodying the ideals of grace, love and compassion.

As Americans, we reject the idea that any city should be divided up into segregated neighborhoods.  None of our cities should have districts that are off-limits to Muslims, Christians, Jews or members of any other religious group.  We also categorically reject the idea that any zoning decision or any permitting decision should be made on the basis of the religious affiliation of the person or group who is applying for the building permit.  Our laws should be administered impartially, without bias against Muslims or people of any other faith. 

The World Trade Center neighborhood of New York is one that has seen great tragedy.  It is not wrong for people to want to establish houses of worship there.  Areas where a great tragedy has occurred are exactly the places where we need to have spiritual centers where people can gather to pray, worship, and reflect.  We support the right of the Muslim community to have their own spiritual center in that neighborhood, joining the many churches and synagogues which are already there. 

As Christians, we stand with all those families who grieve over the loss of loved ones in the World Trade Center tragedy.  We honor their lives when we work to transform hatred and division into mutual respect and understanding.  Jesus taught us to pray that God's will would be done here on earth just as it is in heaven.  As Christians, we pray for that vision to be made real, and it is not a vision of segregated neighborhoods or acts of violence against those with whom we disagree. 

As we near the anniversary of September 11, it is time for us to be strong in our faith and filled with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus did not just call us to love God.  He also called us to love our neighbors as ourselves.  We call upon all Christians to live out Jesus' commandment by working together with our Muslim brothers and sisters to create a world characterized by compassion, understanding, and mutual respect.

Signed,

Rev. Travis Hyatt, San Jose

Rev. Bob Butziger, Los Gatos

Rev. Jerry Fox, San Jose

Rev. Charles W. Rawlings, Los Gatos

Rev. Michael Patrick Ellard, San Jose

Rev. Rick Mixon, Palo Alto

Rev. Ben Daniel, San Jose

Rev. Katie Goetz, Palo Alto

Rev. Evelyn Vigil, San Jose

Rev. Michael Love, Palo Alto

Rev. Alan Jones, Campbell

Rev. Ken Henry, San Jose

Rev. Tom Coop, San Jose

Rev. Sharon Hare, San Jose

COUNCIL CONNECTS TO GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL

On Sunday August 22nd the Council of Churches and Outlook Theater Project began working on the script for a new play being written and produced by the OutLook Theater Project of San Francisco.  The Council sponsored a booth at the San Jose Pride Festival that invited all passing by to stop and share their thoughts on their personal experience at the intersection of faith and sexuality via written word, art, or a flipcam interview.

 

 

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AUGUST'S HUMAN RIGHTS LETTERS

This month the focus is on Vietnam, a communist dictatorship with a miserable human rights record. There are various human rights groups addressing this, including: two men imprisoned for speaking out about workers’ rights, the ongoing persecution of six writers/journalists, and many more imprisoned for their peaceful expression of dissent.

 

See below (or click Read More) for the letters and the links to the background info. 

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Protecting Our Elders

Submitted by: Margriet DeLange(margriet@protectingourelders.net)

Protecting Our Elders: an Interfaith Response to Elder Abuse and Neglect. This project encourages faith communities to recognize and respond to elder abuse and neglect. It also supports working together to promote dignity, respect, and an optimal quality of life for elders from all cultural and traditional backgrounds.

Clergy and Lay Leaders of all Santa Clara Faith Communities are invited to attend the Summit Meeting 2010 on Tuesday, September 21, 10:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Quinlan Community Center, Cupertino. Free lunch provided with registration.

For more information and registration please visit www.protectingourelders.net

EXCERPTS FROM FRANK SCHAEFFER'S SPEECH

At the Council's Annual Dinner & Assembly, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Frank Schaeffer, delivered an impassioned speech, touching on religious and political issues.  He comes to us with a unique perspective, having been involved in the Religious Right Movement.

We have included some excerpts from his speech for your enjoyment and reflection.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Executive Director, Charles W. Rawlings, presented at the Council's Annual Dinner and Assembly on June 12th a vision of our role as a religious community dealing with political issues.  With an eye on the future, Rev. Rawlings draws on the history of the Council--an history that is rooted in an ecumenical approach to social justice.

What does the future look like for the Council of Churches?

 Please continue on to read the Executive Director's Report...

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COUNCIL OF CHURCHES BEGINS COLLABORATIVE PROJECT WITH THE OUTLOOK THEATER PROGRAM

At this coming August’s Gay Pride Festival in San Jose, the Members of the OutLook Theater Program will be at the Council of Churches’ booth gathering interviews about people’s personal experience with LGBT issues. These and related material reflecting diverse perspectives on these issues inside the faith community will become script material for the production by OutLook Theater of a play to be titled Inalienable.  Coordination of the council’s participation will be provided by former President of the Council, Rev. Michael Patrick Ellard.  

 

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REPORT ON THE ANNUAL DINNER & ASSEMBLY

With the intriguing and relevant theme “Confronting Civil and Political Danger: the Role of the Faith Community,” the Council of Churches of Santa Clara County held an enthusiastic Annual Dinner and Assembly on June 12, at Campbell United Methodist Church.  Over 120 people attended to unite as a faith community, learn about the state of the Council, honor Sydney Brown, and hear the intriguing point of view of bestselling author Frank Schaeffer.

 

 

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The Council Recognizes Sydney Brown

The Council of Churches of Santa Clara County recognizes Sydney for sounding the Social Justice Alarm decades ago and for continuing to be a voice that says the dignity of work is inextricably tied to both the meaning of our lives and the viability of democracy.

Click Read More for a Tribute to Sydney Brown.

 

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CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES

The Council of Churches has just received from the American Leadership Forum this non-partisan analysis of California Ballot Masures showing various endorsements. Even though it’s an eleventh hour information piece we send it to you hoping that you can make it available to your congregation or other organizations this weekend.
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