Despicable Americans

I was trolling through the news this morning and came upon an article that absolutely sickened me.  This article was about a congregation in Florida that held a "mock trial" of the Koran complete with prosecution and defense and as a result of the trial, found the Koran guilty and felt the need to put it to death by burning it.  This "trial" and consequent burning happened on March 20, yet there was almost no news coverage of it in the United States.  However, it was picked up by foreign countries, namely Afghanistan and Pakistan and sparked an attack on a United Nations compound in Afghanistan killing 12 people.  Asked in an interview after the attack, the minister at the church (who shall remain nameless on this page) said that they didn't feel responsible for that.  Has humanity retreated to the effect where our actions do not produce consequences?  As horrible as it is that a mob killed 12 people, I find it even more sickening that this man (if we can call him such) can act and speak in a way that denies any accountability for his actions.  His trial was streamed live on the internet from beginning to end for the world to see, yet he claims no responsibility.  This man even goes so far as to demand retribution for the 12 deaths by the US and UN. 

Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a string of attacks against Muslims in general, but in particular, against Muslims in the United States.  How do they expect to live a free life in this country when we have our own radicals spewing anti-muslim sentiment and in a sense attempting to segregate them from the rest of our society?  If you look at the facts, Muslims account for about only 1% of our population in this country yet are the victims of 14% of religious discrimination.  Some in our country, such as a Senator from Long Island would have us believe that Muslims are trying to take over this country and that most of the Muslims here are radicals.   How does that take into account that most of the information recieved about terrorists or terrorist activity is provided by the Muslims in this country?   People it seems, view events abroad as general representation of a religion.  With all the protests in the Middle East and North Africa, which are predominantly Muslim countries, people automatically relate the violence with Islam and their holy book, the Koran.  What these people are fighting for, is in fact, freedom.  Freedom to live a life as they choose. 

Out of the three major religions, Islam, Christianity, and Judaeism; all have been the victims of religious discrimination and violence and have at some point perpetrated religious discrimination and violence.  How are these actions in line with any of the core beliefs held by these religions?  Most religions promote a belief in a supreme being (God) and an afterlife.  Now I do not know all the intricacies of every religion, but to me it seems overly antithetical to promulgate violence against others for whatever reason and claim that it will bring you closer to God and the afterlife.   Religions are based on leading a wholesome life, helping others, freeing yourself of vices, and being the best person you can be.  If we, meaning humanity in general, act in ways that are in direct opposition to these core beliefs, how can we expect to reach "heaven".  Now, that being said, every religion to a certain extent, believes that theirs is the only way to reach heaven.   Believe what you will, but that does not release anyone from forcing others to accept their view either through discrimination or violence or any other means.  (For this post I am admitedly leaving out athiests and agnostics although they are held by basic human decency). 

What we need most in this world right now is an expansion of basic human decency.   In terms of religion, this means that while we may hold our own beliefs to be true, we should not look down on others for their beliefs or for that matter slander or in any way denegrate their beliefs as less than ours.   Muslims, Jews, Christinas, etc. all hold their beliefs to be true and there is abolutely nothing wrong with that.   If we search for a greater understanding of their beliefs and their basic underlying human story, we might see past our differences and accept them for who they are.  Too often we are quick to pass judgement on a whole group based on the actions of a few.   That would be like saying that every disgruntly employee, angry at our government is exactly like Timothy McVey, the Oklahoma bomber.   It goes both ways however. This congregation in Florida is not indicative of the whole population of the United States and I can only hope that others abroad can see that.   Regardless of where you live or what religion you believe in, we must all treat others with decency and respect.  If we get sucked into all the vitriol circulating in our society, humanity and our world will suffer.  We must rise above our differences and seek to expand our understanding of other beliefs.  What do you believe in and how do you act towards others?  Every large movement starts small.  Lets start by expanding our own understanding and then move to motivate others to do the same.