Understanding, respect key to progress
In the wake of the attacks in Benghazi, the September 11 anniversary, and the attack on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, America needs to display religious tolerance now more than ever. It is unfair and unjust to judge a religion or a group of people based the behavior of a small core of extremists. Only when Islamic terrorism rears its ugly head does the religion ever make headlines.
Though I was disgusted by the recent killings in Benghazi and feel as though the perpetrators must be brought to justice, I was furious at the actions of Florida pastor Terry Jones, who promoted a film highly critical of Islam, even disparaging the Prophet Mohammed. If I ruled the world for a day, Jones would face charges on conspiring to commit acts of terrorism. Both he and the filmmakers incited the violence in Libya.
America must, as Joe Biden so eloquently put it, "lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example." Those who are the most passionate about this country and what it represents don't go around rubbing it in peoples faces, they celebrate its diversity, and respect the religious tenants of others different from themselves. Muslim-bashers in America, typically religious extremists in their own right, violate every tenant of American values. These ignorant individuals fail to realize that we are all products of our environment. Had they grown up in Libya, Iraq, or Afghanistan, they would probably wonder how so many Americans can be so backward.
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