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A Church Beyond Belief

Terrorism’s Multiplier Effect

1/27/2015

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On the heels of the Paris terrorist attacks, two Japanese nationals were captured in territory claimed by ISIS. Days ago, one of them was executed. The aftermath of the shocking events has featured speculation about the extent of terrorism globally and the extent of youthful disaffection that fuels it. Many regions have gone on alert and fear of further attacks is rampant.

Tributes paid to the deceased have been heartening. A heartening resolve has surfaced, dramatized by world leaders linking arms in Paris. In public view, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders were united. But they and their nations face a severe challenge. It goes beyond worries about deterring further attacks. As profound as those worries are, there is a more diffuse threat from terrorism. Incidents such as the execution of hostages and the Paris murders have a multiplier effect.

Media, and social media, make distant events immediate. Talk of terror networks and sleeper cells seizes our imaginations. A primal fear of being attacked creeps into our thoughts. Some of us respond by succumbing to prejudice. We vilify all Muslims and declare they intend to take over our cities and our lives. Fear overwhelms reason. We imagine that more than a billion Muslims seem committed to our demise. Desperate to fight fear, some resort to prejudice.

The same fear can prompt withdrawal. Far removed from Paris, we can become wary of people who are different, reluctant to venture from familiar confines. We burden daily routine with steps intended to reassure. More locks, restricted movements, fretful glances, home security systems can appear. All bespeak withdrawal in response to fear.

By fanning fear, terrorism wins. Horribly, people were murdered; now millions resort to prejudice or withdrawal. The meaning of the term is now apparent: people are feeling terrorized.

Instead people of faith must refuse to diminish ourselves because of our fear. We combat terrorism by standing firm, by living our lives fully. Then, we win.

William L. Sachs 



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Does Religion Endorse Free Speech? 

1/9/2015

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The horrific murders of French journalists have prompted widespread condemnations by religious leaders. Religion is in the vortex. “Charlie Hebdo,” the magazine where terrorist violence erupted, has tweaked religious sensibilities repeatedly. Islam has been featured but not singled out. The murders apparently reflect offense given to militants.

French Muslim leaders, and Muslims generally, immediately condemned the murders. But on CNN, Fareed Zakaria speculated this was a tepid response. He suggested that mainstream Muslims may diminish their condemnation because of the extent of “Charlie Hebdo’s” satire. The magazine has published cartoon likenesses of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims shun visual depiction of the Prophet and iconography in general.

As a Christian, I mourn another extremist assault, this time on journalists. This is a complete misuse of religion, as well as an assault on free speech. At the same time, I am uncomfortable with mockery of any religion. The lives of believers, in their most profound aspects, are shaped by their faith. Mockery of one’s faith readily provokes indignation. It is an attack on one’s identity, one’s values and worth. No one sits comfortably with being insulted.

But freedom of speech benefits, rather than hinders, religion. It includes my freedom to worship and to announce my convictions publicly. Sensitivities collide because we live in an age of dramatically differing ideals and faiths. One person’s ideal is another’s threat.

The exchange of ideas, including critical challenge, is vital. Religious life cannot be immune; it must be honed in public. If my faith contains truth, it will be enhanced, not tarnished, by debate and even mockery. Religion requires the light of truth.

Religious people must grieve the violent deaths in Paris. We must oppose any attempt to silence. We welcome public debate. We need “Charlie Hebdo.”

William L. Sachs 

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    William L. Sachs
    Michael S. Bos

    Rethinking the place of belonging and belief 

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