As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approached I, like so many others, began to reflect on the events of that devastating day, and all that has transpired in our country and throughout the world since. I also began to think about the future and what life might look light 10 years from now. What kind of society will my young twins -- now in preschool -- live in as post-bar and bat mitzvah teens? As a rabbi and interfaith educator, I am particularly concerned about the role of religion in helping to create a more just and compassionate world.
Since the attacks on 9/11 and various events following it created serious challenges for inter-religious cooperation, I decided to reach out to colleagues from other faiths to see if we could formulate a shared vision statement. Thankfully, Rev. Bud Heckman of Religions for Peace USA and Valarie Kaur of Groundswell at Auburn Theological Seminary were working on similar projects, so we decided to draft what became the following pledge, with help from advisers at our respective organizations.
If any one of us had written this document alone it would certainly read differently than the current text, but our intention was to see what we could say together, knowing that we hold different beliefs and opinions, and that we also share key values in common. We are grateful to the dozens of religious leaders that have lent support to this effort by signing their names to this pledge. It gives us renewed hope that our religious communities can work together to create a better future.
If this statement speaks to you, we invite you to add your name to the list of signatories and to share the text with family, friends and community members. It is our prayer that this document -- imperfect, to be sure -- might be helpful to others in strengthening their commitment to religious pluralism, to justice, and to the healing of our broken and beautiful world.
A More Perfect UnionA Statement of Religious Commitment following the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
September 12, 2011
On this 12th day of September, 2011, we call on religious and secular people alike to join together to rededicate ourselves to a vision of peace and justice for our country and for the world.
On September 11, 2001, the United States of America suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history. Ten years later our nation still grieves the losses we suffered on that dark day. The heinous actions of the terrorists and their supporters cannot be justified or tolerated. We must be resolute in the face of such malicious crimes, using the appropriate legal measures to hold the guilty accountable and to prevent future attacks.
However, we cannot allow the actions of violent extremists to breed more prejudice in our society. Discrimination against Muslims and other religious and ethnic minorities, like other forms of bigotry, is unacceptable and tears at the fabric of our nation. We lament the fact that such behavior continues to surface in our country a decade after 9/11.
As representatives of America's diverse religious traditions, we are committed to working together to achieve the enduring vision of a more perfect union. To fulfill this dream, we must invest in relationships with people who are different than we are, humbly sharing our wisdom and personal stories, listening to the insights and questions of others, offering respectful critique when necessary. We do not seek uniformity, but dignity for all people.
In making this commitment, we are well aware of the fact that religion has too often been used to oppress, to degrade, and to injure, 9/11 being but one painful example. We also know that religion can be a powerful force for healing and transformation in the world. It is incumbent upon us to promote visions of our respective traditions that honor difference and call for the wellbeing of all existence.
In this spirit, we also recommit ourselves to work together across religious and secular lines to address other issues of injustice in our country and throughout the world. While we hold different religious beliefs, we share in the conviction that we must all participate actively in caring for the needy and mending the wounds of our shared planet.
Finally, we call on the leaders of our country to join us in working to strengthen bonds among diverse groups of people at home and abroad, using our nation's vast resources to help reduce violence and corruption, and to promote peace and prosperity for all. We urge our elected officials to exercise our political, economic, and military power with wisdom and care, remembering the inestimable value of every single human life.
Today, on this 12th day of September 2011, we look to the future and pledge to fulfill the promise of this great nation, ever striving for a more perfect union.
Interfaith Groups Still Working To Bring Muslims and Christians ...
9/11: Interfaith Group Leader Recalls Urgent Need for Prayer ...
Religious Leaders Call for Unity 10 Years After 9/11 - The ...
Obama Cites National Unity After 9/11 Attacks
Obama Highlights 'Same Sense of Unity' Felt After 9/11 - ABC News
Now don't get me wrong, I admire their perseverance, their good will, their desire to make this world better.
Yes, they feed the hungry, they raise money for the poor and much more, they want tolerance, but that is nothing new.
Unfortunately they can meet again for the Nth logarithmic time and try, like the thousands before them, to unite religions,... it just won't work. Despite having been explained as many times why, they still don't get it. It's because of their dogmas, tenets, rites, etc., on which they will never compromise, no matter how often they meet; it just won't work, period. It makes me think of sand castles; they are beautiful, but however elaborate you make them, you have to rebuild them each time. Why? Because they do not rest on good foundations.
You'd probably see me as an aggressive atheist, given that I challenge even deism and spiritualism. Even so, I think I'd be able to sign this letter. That should give you some indication of how highly I see it.
This is about as progressive and ethical an interfaith statement as you can get. Promoting secular and religious cooperation, promoting positive values, peace, wellbeing. Rejecting religious indoctrination, dogma, racism, violence and oppression. You didn't even invoke god or prayer - truly allowing secular participation as well. I really appreciate this, and I applaud your attempts to fight injustice and to find communion amongst people of diverse cultures and traditions.
I wish more clergy were as forward-thinking and sensible.
Cheers.