I spent the first of this week in Wilmington, NC with my parents for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  Besides getting a chance to see the ocean for a final time this season, I also had the opportunity to hear some fine sermons.  My parent’s rabbi is Harley Karz-Wagman, and he preached a sermon on the power of language.  He explained the need for people to take back language from the Christian Right and from people blasting GLBT equality among other examples.

The Christian Right, he said, does not represent most Christians and in fact is not “right” at all. GLBT equality is about the basic rights of all people to visit their loved ones at their hospital beds and to inherit estates; it is not about harming families or getting special privileges.  His sermon spoke to me because the day before the Christian Right launched the offensive you have read about before on this website, that would allow (taxpayer subsidized) religion to become a partisan political tool.  Congregations in America have the privilege and the responsibility of being tax exempt.  Rabbi Karz-Wagman was able to follow the rules of a tax deductible organization and speak powerfully on important issues.

The next morning I read the local paper and learned that Brunswick County, the county next door, was having a fight over teaching creationism in schools alongside evolution.  My favorite quote came from a Catholic priest named Father Hector La Chapelle who is standing against this attack on science: “The Bible teaches us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go.”  That is some great wisdom for the folks who think their take on religion is the one to teach in public schools.

Maybe everyone on the Brunswick school board should sit down with Rabbi Karz-Wagman, Father La Chapelle, and all the other clergy in the area and see if they can all decide which version of the Bible they should use to teach children about science.  If anyone thinks that is a simple question, read the article and see what the Buddhist monk in the area says about it.

In today’s news:

• Last Sunday’s pulpit politics are drawing complaints. Can we keep the faith, and tax exemption? [Associated Press;  Indianapolis Star]
• Sarah Palin discusses her beliefs, but not how they effect her policy positions. But to some evangelicals, Palin’s career violates biblical teachings. Are young evangelicals any different? [Washington Post; Los Angeles Times; Washington Post]
• A group of Texas scientists is cautioning against teaching creationism in public school science classes. [Houston Chronicle]
• Looking for faith-based financial tips? A Wall Street Banker-turned-monk offers some unique economic advice. [Washington Post]
• Bill Maher’s Religulous opens this Friday. Love it or hate it - it’s all about religion.

Religion and politics in today’s news, from Interfaith Alliance.

“God, help us!” I prayed as I read the headline: “Chemical irritant empties Islamic Society of Greater Dayton’s mosque.”  “Has it come to this—an assault on innocent children?”

Just weeks after massive distribution of the film, Obsession- Radical Islam’s War against the West, in key electoral swing state newspapers across the US including Dayton, two unidentified men sprayed chemicals into a room full of children at a mosque.  Did the distribution of an anti-Muslim film cause the attack?  No one can say that for sure except the attackers.  But in a post 9/11 world scapegoating Muslims as well as denouncing them verbally and attacking them physically has become all too common.  Fueling anti-Muslim bigotry have been web rumors that Barack Obama is a “secret” Muslim hoping to take over the US and comments like the one from CNN host Glenn Beck who said to a Muslim guest “I mean, you’re reasonable. How do we know the difference between you and those that are trying to kill us?”  Playing the fear card is incredibly popular today in the media and on the Internet across the US.   We seem to be a country filled with people searching for someone to blame or to attack.

Now, ironically, as we come to the end of the holy month of Ramadan- a month when Muslims seek to instill patience, sacrifice and humility, we hear of an attack on children in a house of worship.

The Greater Dayton Interfaith Trialogue, formed after the 9/11 attacks, provided a discussion point for local Muslims, Jews and Christians to celebrate what could happen if people and their governments spoke up for peace, and for “others.”  It has held important meetings and workshops designed to bridge the gulf that separates the faith traditions.

With the heaviness of grief on my heart, I call upon the good people of Dayton and across the US to reach beyond stereotypes of each other, to be done with appeals to fear, and to engage again in dialogue aimed at mutual understanding and reconciliation not hatred and cowardly attacks on children who are worshiping. We are a better people than this.  God help us!

Rev. Dr. C Welton Gaddy, President, the Interfaith Alliance