Religious Reflections On 9/11, A Decade Later

Prayers For 9/11

HuffPost Religion is proud to present this collection of original prayers, reflections and blessings written in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Our hope is that these sacred words offered by leaders from diverse traditions might offer comfort to all who grieve; compassion to those alienated; and inspiration to all who seek an end to all violence and hate in our world. Read on...

Interfaith Leaders Offer Hope 10 Years After 9/11

Reflections from religious leaders, academics and interfaith activists from around the country on the ways 9/11 impacted our religious beliefs and practice. Read on...

Islam In America 10 Years Later

Reflections from Muslim leaders, thinkers and activists from around the country on the ways 9/11 impacted Islam in America. Read on...

9/11 Chaplains Reflect On Spiritual Healing

Immediately following the 9/11 attacks, spiritual leaders from all traditions gathered to offer comfort to the families, friends and workers. HuffPost Religion is proud to feature some of their reflections 10 years later. Read on...

Comments

[methodman]

12:36 AM on 09/12/2011

I think you have tolerance confused with style. Argument is part of spirituality If it is not you don't get told to shut up by your fundimentalist family. Which mine has no respect for any of my efforts. The 911 is Ceremonies are real to us because they are so visceral. They bring the contemplation of conversation. One problem is a certain segment of our society doesn't want to read and continues to parody Decorative Slogan Religion and regardless of any response You get Happy Appy Talk and no honest conversation. Style is different at different places. NY is not living in a Conservative Community. where preachers insult college students, gays and Readers of any non-fiction. I do speak out against these kinds of folks.

[Chockolate]

08:12 PM on 09/11/2011

I feel so much better since I gave up hope.

[HamburgerTime]

06:07 PM on 09/11/2011

"Freedom Tower", lit up like an American flag. It's like a giant, tacky cliché. We could do better.

[kornbluthwasright]

04:43 PM on 09/11/2011

Gee, as a self-professed Liberal, I always thought that our group believed in tolerance of other people's religious beliefs, even when we don't share them. You certainly wouldn't know that from some of the bile-drenched posts here and elsewhere. (Not that the Conservatives are displaying more tolerance, but I consider the source.) Guess I was wrong...

I also thought that Hope was something we Liberals believed in, even when we don't attach that Hope to a Divine Being, or when whatever we Hope *for* seems to be taking an inordinately long time to arrive. (Of course, I expect the Cons to believe in Hope...their Hope just tends to be too mixed with Fundamentalism for me to share their belief.) Looks like I was wrong on this point too.

You know, it's funny, but judging from the various blogs I've read and videos I've watched (not only here in HP) about victims' families and other survivors of 9/11, *they* seem to be far more tolerant and hopeful than 90% of the commenters on any of those blogs.

Good thing, too, because two major disillusionments are about all I can handle in one day...but on the other hand--since I would prefer to end on a note of ||ahem|| hopeful tolerance--what if we all (Libs and Cons alike) made an effort to follow the example set by the bereaved families and other survivors? What would it cost us to try?

[skt 946]

07:49 PM on 09/11/2011

Kudos.

[LeFlaneur]

08:32 PM on 09/11/2011

While I appreciate your sentiment, my tolerance has limits. We saw on September 11 that some people's religious beliefs justified the murder of 3000 people. In the aftermath, we saw another group's religious beliefs justify war, torture and bigotry. I will never ever tolerate that.

[thunk]

11:17 AM on 09/12/2011

To my way of thinking religious beliefs had nothing to do with why 9/11 happened. Religion is an expression of what we are and not the reason we are what we are. Angry disenfranchised alienated people commit horrible acts, not because they have religion to rationalize their acts, but because they are angry, disenfranchised, and alienated. Blaming religion just let's one ignore how they got they way or why it was directed at us.

[methodman]

12:42 PM on 09/11/2011

Hope means Computation as a Basis on to Make Bases. All the other descriptions are Airy Fairy Nonsense and lead to stagnant Life and Stagnant mind and Jaded religious Values. Proud to Chip away at organized religion 1 hour at a time.

[BraineyRubble]

12:34 PM on 09/11/2011

Anyone else notice how the new "Freedom Tower" looks strikingly similar to a "Bomb Pop?"

[Me atlast]

09:33 PM on 09/11/2011

Yep, I saw it...

[Chassis]

12:07 PM on 09/11/2011

May God show the nonbelievers a way to respect all Americans, whether they share their non-feelings or not. God bless this Country and all of our fellow citizens.

[greylox]

03:55 PM on 09/11/2011

**Really? Do you think all non-christians don't respect Americans? You need to pray harder for wisdom.

[ExiledMan]

06:11 PM on 09/11/2011

I think you should take a closer listen to the religious right like Bachmann, Perry and Palin to name but three and their intolerance to anyone who doesn't think like them.

Respect is something that has to be earned my late mother used to tell us and how can you respect people like this who are against American homosexuals, American Muslims, in fact they are against American ANYTHING that isn't a right wing christian fundamentalist!

You will find that we atheists have much more tolerance and respect for people of different origins and se.xual preferences.

[Chassis]

06:44 PM on 09/11/2011

Good for you, prove it by your silence.

[kamana2]

08:43 AM on 09/11/2011

HOPE?!?!? Is that the best religion has to offer!? How about truth, evidence, proof, facts?!? We need to know why your gods are hiding; who are they hiding from; where are they hiding at; and which stone are they hiding under?!?

All We the People ever get from religion are alibi's and lie's, ruses and excuses!

[Godstuff]

10:47 AM on 09/11/2011

It is truly amazing in these times how many don't freely think for themselves. In tragedies such as 9/11 they turn to sky friends and fairy tales for answers. Praying and consoling with religions that are all equally absurd. Condolences to those who lost their lives and their families. May we never forget 9/11 and the fact that a religion played a very important part in the deaths of so many.

[jessivehadit]

08:32 AM on 09/11/2011

I never knew that "Hope" was just another way of spelling BS.