Interfaith 9/11 Reflections: Leaders Offer Hope 10 Years Later

Editors Note: HuffPost Religion is proud to publish these reflections from religious leaders, academics and interfaith activists from around the country on the ways 9/11 impacted our religious beliefs and practice.

'9/11: Ten Years On' by Eboo Patel

After 9/11, I viewed the Quran as a balm for my country's pain, especially lines from Ayat al-Kursi: "His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them." Continue reading...

'From Memory to Hope' by Rev. Dr. Katharine Rhodes Henderson

The memory of 9/11 is a spark of conscience and a spur to action. Let us all fuel this rising movement, which is not about single issues or political parties, but a shared moral vision for a better world. Continue reading...

'Lessons from the Kaddish a Decade Later' by Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen

I've been thinking a lot about the words of the kaddish, the memorial prayer that Jews recite daily in the months immediately following the passing of those closest to us. Continue reading...

'Beyond 9/11 to a Broader View of the World' by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB

We allowed neither time, nor space to harden the natural distance between us. We would not choose sides. We would continue simply to be a very public witness and single face of the equal love of the God of Differences for us all. Continue reading...

WATCH: 'The Future Of Christian-Muslim Relations In The West'

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf of the Cordoba Initiative and Gabe Lyons, the founder of Q Ideas, discuss the future of Christian-Muslim relations in the West. Watch the video...

'For A More Unified, Understanding New York' by Georgette Bennett, Ph.D.

If we can continue building bridges, if the voices of pluralism can be heard above the din of the frightened and hateful, I will consider us well on the way to building an inclusive society. Continue reading...

'Did 9/11 Make Us Morally 'Better'?' by Miroslav Volf

Where are we today, 10 years later? One way to approach the question is to ask whether, as a result of the 9/11 trauma, we have become better people? Continue reading...

'Hate and Hope' by Serene Jones

How is it that both greater freedom and hate-filled intolerance resulted from the attacks of 9/11? We must acknowledge the wound inflicted on this day have not healed, but festered. Continue reading...

'Reaching for Hope After 9/11 -- Together' by The Interfaith Amigos

In a world splintered by polarization, our core teachings call us to a spirituality of inclusivity, a spirituality that supports us in walking oneness, love and compassion into the world we share. Continue reading...

WATCH: 'Finding Hope And Healing At Ground Zero'

On the anniversary of 9/11, HuffPost Religion went to St. Paul's Chapel at ground zero to talk with clergy and lay people about where they find hope and healing 10 years later. Watch the video...

'The Sukkah and the World Trade Center' by Rabbi Arthur Waskow

In 2001, Sept. 11 came three weeks before Sukkot, the Jewish harvest festival whose major symbol is a thatched hut, a "sukkah," utterly open to the wind and rain. Continue reading...

'An Opportunity For Reflection' by Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori

The greatest memorial to those who died 10 years ago will be a world more inclined toward peace. What are you doing to build a living memorial like that? Continue reading...

'Healing, Hope and Humanity: A Sikh Reflection' by Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia

Repeated images of Muslim radicals from Middle East countries wearing turbans were enough to arouse a backlash. Soon after 9/11, many Sikhs became a Muslim in the eyes of some misinformed Americans. Continue reading...

'It Is Time to Invoke History's 'Other 9/11' of Nonviolence and Global Interfaith Dialogue' by Anju Bhargava

Let us respectfully remember all impacted by the 9/11 tragedy. As we move forward let us remember the multi-historical facets of 9/11. Continue reading...

'10 Years Later, We Must Do Better' by Rabbi Michael M. Cohen

In many ways the world has changed in 10 years, but in many ways it has not. We simply do not understand the Middle East as well as we should. Continue reading...

Comments

[wakohnen]

05:31 AM on 09/12/2011

God so loved the world that he sent His only Son and His Son came to show us how to live....whether it be considered "history" or "religion" there is not ONE on this post who can honestly say that the example that Jesus set for us is a bad example. It just goes to show that people do not want to live with love, respect or compassion for their fellow man anymore. I challenge any of you to prove me wrong. His death was the last compassionate act He did and He did it for all of us, no matter if we believe or understand it. Show me just 1 thing that Jesus did while on this earth that set a bad example for mankind.

[sweetlilthing]

06:34 AM on 09/12/2011

Too bad Jesus didn't write one word in the Bible nor did his peers. Religion is the reason there is so much conflict in the world but it's in a decline. We can only hope it continues.

[jacmed]

10:07 AM on 09/12/2011

Absolutely true, sweetlilthing! And before the Christian Bible, there was Torah, (the "Jewish Bible") which was adopted and modifed to become the Old Testatment in the Christian Bible. God didn't write a single word of Torah, either. Many men, over centuries, wrote both.

[celtcalgal]

09:57 AM on 09/12/2011

read....Vincent Bugliosi's ' The Divinity of Doubt --The God Question '

[rsttho557949]

11:22 PM on 09/11/2011

Yee of little faith! Man's prayers were answered and are summarized in John 3:16. That is the GREATEST GIFT bestowed upon mankind. Now when a person understands John 3:16 ( and John 3:18-19) s/he will understand that all prayers have already been answered. so if one doesn't win the lottery-John 3:16 is the answer to that. If a loved one dies-and accepted Jesus-John 3:16 is the answer to that. If one loses his/hers house-thinking about John 3:16 should ease that sting. if a person loses his job- John 3:16 makes up for that. The worst thign that can happen to a person can't happen, if s/he is humble enough to accept the "gimme" from God. There is no hope without John 3:16.

[Xanadutu]

02:15 AM on 09/12/2011

BLAH ~~ BLAH ~~ BLAH ~~

[rsttho557949]

03:24 PM on 09/12/2011

Dear Xanadutu,

Ob-La-Di- Ob-la-da, is a great Beatles tunes and far more uplifting than blah...blah...blah.

[RobertyBob]

04:48 AM on 09/12/2011

It's "ye," not "yee." I've heard of Rodney Yee - is he a man of little faith? And what is this tripe about "there is no hope without John 3:16?" Who brainwashed you and how long did that take?

[rsttho557949]

03:14 PM on 09/12/2011

Dear RobertyBob,

You are correct and please show me mercy! If Jesus did not not shed His Blood, there was no hope for mankind. If you read John 3:18-19 you would read that there is a price hanging over your head. You're a marked man unless John 3:16 is satisfied. Think of yourself, without John 3:16, like Sonny Corleone at the toll booth scene in the Godfather. You will certainly die! I'm not brainwashed, my last name is not Atkins, Krenwinkel, Von houten or Fromme and I don't belong to any cult or "movement".

[merlinspinoza]

11:17 PM on 09/11/2011

very beautiful words all saying the same thing religions and their leaders are failures ...hope is simply a nice emotion which allows us to forget we have failed to do better and when will we do better ?
only after we learn transcendental meditation (TM) only when we understand what this means
http://www.globalgoodnews.com/world-peace-a.html?art=131569876422056582

[Lostbandoleer]

10:16 PM on 09/11/2011

I look forward to the persecution and sarcasm that will no doubt flood my e-mail. I will read them, shake my head and...just like that...they are trashed and forgotten. My eyes are on the cross and not on you. I cannot be distracted nor redirected. My path is clear and I am steadfast in my faith. I am strong in my stance and immovable in my stronghold. Jesus is my stronghold and I am adorned with the full armor of God. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I do not stand alone. There are many who stand with me and many angels who stand guard over us. Though this body may be killed, my spirit cannot be harmed. I have been saved by the blood of the Lamb. I am victorious in that Jesus was victorious over death and the grave. He has risen. Behold the Lamb of God...the King of kings. Soon we shall all see His glorious return. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, that He is God.

[Xanadutu]

02:16 AM on 09/12/2011

minus

[Susan Schmidt Baker]

07:55 AM on 09/12/2011

You expressed my very thoughts. Fanned.

[Lostbandoleer]

10:06 PM on 09/11/2011

I can only imagine being an atheist who never had a single dream come true. One who suffered with long bouts of depression. One who never knew love. One who regretted ever having been born. I think it better to be in that same predicament and to have hope and faith that this world is but a strange and hostile land that one merely travels through to reach that bright and beautiful shore that has been promised to those who are faithful and love God.
You see, most of us don't own expensive homes in tropical places. We don't get to go sailing on the weekends. We don't have lots of discretionary income or much freedom with our time. Many are actually miserable only pretending to be content. But misery loves company and when a miserable person sees hope and joy in the life of another, they simply want to diminish their faith by interjecting a bombardment of doubt and confusion. I mean, why would anyone genuinely care what another chooses to believe unless they just like making other people as angry and discontented as themselves. But like I said...misery loves company. But nothing an atheist can tell me will ever be able to pluck me out of the hand of the Living God, Jesus Christ. Sorry if I offended anyone, but what is, is.

[RobertyBob]

05:52 AM on 09/12/2011

As an ex-Christian, I have been a very happy, friendly, motivated and successful atheist for 12 years and have had PLENTY of dreams (achievements that have enriched my life and the lives of others) come true. I have been a "street captain" to inform people of neighborhood crime news and safety tips, I volunteer at a foodbank, I can take a woman out for hours of conversation, I'm the most formally educated person in my family's history, I'm a youth soccer coach of several very successul and exciting teams over the last 10 years, helping 100 boys and girls (as a ballpark figure) from ages 8-14 take their minds off their tough home lives or problems at school and build their confidence and cooperation with other people (winning a few league championships and tournaments along the way), I have a job I am fully interested in and enjoy, the car I really wanted, a circle of friends who truly like and respect me, I promote my martial arts school by interviewing other students to get their "testimonials," and I'm in awesome shape at the age of 35: muscular, lean, super-fit with a crazy metabolism, and just 5 pounds heavier than in high school (and that's due to a recent focus on weighlifting). These are just a few of the things in my life that are GREAT. So what exactly are you going on about???

[wakohnen]

06:41 AM on 09/12/2011

I, I, I....looks like a lot of pride going on...and certainly you did all of this by yourself with no help or support at all. All the things you have done are great and if everyone contributed as you have the world would be a better place but true character comes from the good deeds we do without the need for "self" recognition. You mention your martial arts school, doesn't a part of this training include being humble? God Bless :)

[jacmed]

10:18 AM on 09/12/2011

RobertyBob, as an ex-Christian, are you really an atheist or did you actually become a Deist? Giving up religion does not necessarily mean you gave up God.

[adamantthe1st21]

09:38 PM on 09/11/2011

bring all american troops , warships where they belong : in America then maybe the world can start talking peace......how can you talk peace with a gun pointed to your head ???

[NosePicker]

10:12 PM on 09/11/2011

All the muslim countries want is to not be occupied or have missionaries convert them. Oh yeah and there's no corporate profits to be made if the wars are ended.

[aktwdt]

09:36 PM on 09/11/2011

The theologian's quotations strive for achieving interfaith reconciliation and a peace that has eluded the world for untold centuries; most often stymied by various acts in the name of the "religions" themselves. What has been missing to prevent progress in this area? I would encourage the leaders to abandon their personal biases and religious traditions, and to start their spiritual search anew by praying with an open heart for a personal spiritual intervention that will lead them to a perfected life and to a faith that is characterized by its focus on God first, others second and self last.

[NosePicker]

09:53 PM on 09/11/2011

Which god exactly?

[Xanadutu]

02:21 AM on 09/12/2011

Are you 'michele barfmann' or 'hick perry'????

[Howard Duley]

08:38 PM on 09/11/2011

Since the moderators screen these comments why not just write them yourselves and stick made up names to them. That way everyone of your comments will be in agreement with your predetermined mind set.

[Robert A Alba]

08:34 AM on 09/11/2011

Hope is an over rated virtue---actually not a virtue at all. It's just an excuse to put off today what you're not going to do tomorrow anyway. Hope is like wasting money on lottery tickets. Hope is something to keep the rabble from revolting. Hope is something to offset your little meaningless life in a universe that doesn't know you exist and wouldn't care if it did. Does this sound depressing? The truth isn't always comfortable. The world didn't pop into existence to give your life meaning, so quit hoping it did.

[jancf]

08:31 PM on 09/11/2011

Who would want to live without hope?

[Robert A Alba]

09:56 PM on 09/11/2011

A realist. Someone who doesn't project a fantasy world of cumbayah on a morally neutral universe.

[kenohl]

10:14 PM on 09/11/2011

It's called living rationally...........

[rsttho557949]

11:11 PM on 09/11/2011

Dear Mr. Alba,

Why so serious and negative? You're confusing foolishness wiht hope. You come on this board with the hope have your opinion validated by someone. Isn't that so? If that were not so, these boards would be meaningless to you...since you've concluded that existence is meaningless. Now whether there is a God or not ( I know there is a God) the person without hope- or a ray of hope will:
1. Become depressed
2. Will enter despair
3. Often becomes suicidal or looks to take someone else's life.

Again people need hope...just like your presence on this board. You're hopeing that somone give meaning to your thoughts to validate you. That is the truth. Uncomfortable?

[Robert A Alba]

12:04 AM on 09/12/2011

I'm not depressed. I don't give in to despair. I gave up suicidal thoughts when I realized that belief in god was the hope that fairy tales can come true. I don't wish to take anyone's life. And I don't care if you validate my thoughts or not. Half the replies I get to my posts call me negative, disgusting, despicable, unpatriotic, etc. If I was looking for validation it wouldn't be here. I'm venting so I don't pick up a tire iron and trash mine or somebosy else's property. I'm blowing off steam so I don't get an ulcer. I'm waiting for clear skies so I can get out my telescopes and get off this computer.

[TRUTHTOBS]

09:47 AM on 09/12/2011

You mean like so many religious inter-faith nuts do? Always depressed, angry, and completely demoralized by believing in fairy tale nonsense? Then foisting your frustration on the rest of the world,especially innocent children and the weak of heart, plus poor folks, and proceed by getting really pissed off at those who refuse to believe in religious gobble-de-gook?

[srmmer]

04:57 PM on 09/09/2011

the problem with so many people is that they think GOD is on there side

[kenohl]

10:13 PM on 09/11/2011

How foolish of any one of us to think just that........I know in the eraudite mind of liberals like you that God truly doesn't exist.........

[Xanadutu]

02:32 AM on 09/12/2011

"eraudite" ??????

[Xanadutu]

02:37 AM on 09/12/2011

you must be 'little minded' follower of michele barfmann or hick perry!!!

[Joseph Schmoe]

08:02 AM on 09/09/2011

TV and radio PSAs remind me, "If you see something, say something."
As a society, we agree that to do less is essentially aiding the terrorists and putting ourselves and our loved ones at risk.
Yet we are expected to believe in and pray to some magical all-knowing, all-seeing being who--by definition--created the people responsible for 9/11, knew it was going to happen, told no one, and allowed it to happen.
And now I'm supposed to ask same being for mercy, hope, peace?

I'm not that stupid. But you go ahead and knock yourselves out.

[qzy]

07:55 AM on 09/09/2011

Considering most muslims don't even believe that their fellow muslims perpetrated 9-11, I'm not really getting the whole, warm, fuzzy, interfaith vibe.

[jancf]

08:32 PM on 09/11/2011

How on earth do you know what 'most Muslims' believe? What a weird thing to invent.

[Right Bright]

10:12 PM on 09/11/2011

The internet is full....overflowing with their own videos, audios and articles. What the believe is public. Either you want to ignore it or you have an agenda of your own. Are you one of them?

[kenohl]

10:17 PM on 09/11/2011

They believe in the Quaran.....the same Quaran that led these creatures to do what they did ten years ago..............I'm not much into cutting hairs on this one. IF there is one religion in the world that teaches it's followers to conquer in the name of their faith, it's Islam........religion of peace my ***...........

[Indigo1941]

07:33 AM on 09/09/2011

Hope? Bring the troops home, then we'll talk.

[kenohl]

10:18 PM on 09/11/2011

You'd better hope they stand on that wall tp protect people like you........or the real barbarians will be at our gates all too soon......

[BurtonDesque]

03:49 AM on 09/09/2011

Science & reason allow people to build airplanes and skyscrapers.
Religion makes people fly airplanes into skyscrapers.

As the sage said, "religion poisons everything".

[Shain Eighmey]

08:26 AM on 09/09/2011

Religion also has a lot to offer people in community, philosophy, and comfort. I'm not convinced that it is an inherently bad thing.

It is however an easy way to paint other people as being "others" who are separate from "us" and therefore much easier to justify harming. We just need to be careful in how we apply religion in our lives.

[Xanadutu]

03:34 AM on 09/12/2011

'RELIGION' is what denied the lives of thousands!!!!

[BurtonDesque]

03:48 AM on 09/12/2011

As a wise man once said, "Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."

[James Clovispoint]

12:55 AM on 09/09/2011

I can only agree with the previous posts. Yes, we need to grieve for those innocent ones who lost their lives and we need to learn from this tragedy.
We have learned that airport security is a must, and that when a plane changes its course without reason, officials need to be informed (the Air Force for example).
We have learned that our secret service needs revamping.
We have learned to take threats seriously, especially from religious extremists.
We have learned that in a big city, the first responders need coordination and compatible radios and command unity, to avoid sending people into collapsing buildings, because we cannot communicate with them.
There is still more to do and to learn.
And, yes we can give praise to those who risk their lives to save others.
However, when it comes to the personal religious beliefs of all of those concerned, it should remain something personal and private. I think it poor taste to make public ones theological opinions about HOPE and HEALING, because religion is not the answer for either of these.
Healing, if one needs religion for it, can only come from a private reflection on ones own faith. So, please spare those of other faiths from yours.
Hope, will never come from some so-called inter faith group or dialogue and I can demonstrate it if you do not see the evident quagmire yourself. Enough of this hypocrisy, please.

[stamfordhill]

11:05 PM on 09/11/2011

9/11 was not a t ragedy. It was an outrage, and a declaration of war by moslem fanatics against western civilization.

[Blind Logic]

11:17 PM on 09/11/2011

While I am one to support interfaith communication -- the exchange of wisdoms and knowledge to further understand faiths other than one's own -- I agree with you. Security needs to be revamped entirely (And none of this groping two year olds either). Healing and hope come from indeed, reflection and in some cases, group reflection, in essence, an extension of exchanging thoughts and wisdoms. Wisdoms that, as one currently in the depths of "dissecting" for lack of a better word, the belief systems around me, I find are strikingly similar to one another.

[Xanadutu]

03:30 AM on 09/12/2011

What??? You are saying that because you understand someone's religion, that it is okay for them to kill people??? Interfaith communication does NOT work with these 'PIECES OF SH*T!!! If you think that, you are living in some drug induced world of your own! Or possibly you follow michele barfmann or hick perry!!

[TRUTHTOBS]

09:56 AM on 09/12/2011

I "hope" that some day real soon we all will quit believing in goat header's superstitious 10th century nonsense and get with the real program of rational thinking.