Published on 10/26/10 at Dallas
Morning news
Let's assume that NPR had a right to fire Williams.
Maybe it did. But the question is whether we're better off because it did.
Bigoted diatribes are one thing. But what Williams said, in its full context,
is more balanced than a single soundbite - and it reflects the thorny, often
emotionally driven debate over religious diversity in a post-9/11 world. Shouldn't
we be encouraging an open expression of ideas in this very public debate? Do we
improve our understanding of each other by declaring that some things must not
be spoken?
That's this week's question: Are we better
off by forbidding some views, some beliefs - however ill-expressed - in an
honest discussion of America's view of Islam?
Some provocative answers by the Texas Faith panel.
Keep reading.
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation
for Pluralism, Dallas:
No, we are not better off forbidding any view
however ill-expressed in an honest discussion of America's view of Islam.
Neither God nor religion should be free from any critical study including Islam
and Quraan. Yes, I am a Muslim, and like most Muslims I will defend that
freedom to the core.
Indeed, the freedom of speech must be guarded and
defended at any cost, that is the only thing that sets us apart from animals to
find solutions through a civil dialogue instead of locking in the horns. The
truth ultimately triumphs over every thing else and most certainly it is
sustainable; Mahatma Gandhi called it "Satyameva Jayate". However to
have the moral courage to defend that freedom, its application must be
universal and not selective.
The issue is not forbidding some views; it is
rather giving all views an equal opportunity. Had we not had restrictions
against racial slurs, anti-Semitism, Holocaust Denial and discrimination
against women, we would not have come this far. As a civil society, we have
ways to go and God willing we will.
The phobias and fears of the vociferous few must be
addressed and a fair play in bringing every one up on a level playing field
ensures long term stability. We owe it to ourselves to build cohesive societies
by separating the myth from reality.
Fear of the strangers is not new, I am sure there
are people who get frightened with the "Muslim garbs" and perhaps
most of them ignore it as their own bias and move on with life doing their
inner Jihad in similar situations. But when a public figure makes a statement
it reinforces such bias, we need to guard that in the interests of public safety.
After fueling the bias, Mr. Williams chose not to
allay the fears of the public whether one wears a Muslim garb or not, every one
goes through the same security checks to ensure safety of every passenger. I
rather trust the Airlines and the homeland security than Mr. Williams.
By the way, there is no such thing as a Muslim
garb, just as there is no Christian garb unless one's ability to see is blinded
and biased; we come in all shapes, ethnicities, races, colors and clothes.
Let's see what Halloween brings this season.
Pastor Jeffress of Southern Baptist Church called
Islam an evil religion and the holy book of Muslims a false book written by a
false prophet, thank God for America, every one has the right to free speech
and as a Muslim I will defend his right.
However, we have to challenge our own integrity to
tell the truth. My offer to Pastor Jeffress remains simple, a copy of the
Quraan will be presented to him and asked to find at least three evil things in
it, and if he does, I will join his congregation, what else can one offer? Fox
News interviewed both of us, but did not present my full interview, on top of
it, not only his full interview was listed but was announced on their site,
mine was not, I even produced a video, which they chose not to post. Is that
level playing field?
To build cohesive societies, where no American has
to live in fear of the other, we have scheduled a conference on Sunday December
5, 2010; it is about Quraan, separating the myths from reality. Details are at
www.QuraanConference.com.
I was in another congregation where they were
showing a documentary loaded with blatant falsities about Islam which I have
written in a report. The congregation was anguished and had questions which I
offered to answer, but the movie producer did not allow another point of view.
Thank God the entire congregations yelled in unison, "give him the
microphone" and at least people got to hear a sampling of another point of
view.
As a citizen who has stood up for every American, I
am pleased to acknowledge that Dallas Morning News has been justly fulfilling
its Journalistic responsibilities to the public and to the nation by presenting
different points of view.
MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism,
politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace
and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he
contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily.
