Every religious tradition has the capacity for both good and evil, suggests Charles Kimball in his work, When Religion Becomes Evil. Indeed, the passion and truth claims associated with religious belief make religion susceptible to extremes. This week, as we remember the events of 9/11, we cannot escape the stark reminders of the dangers inherent in religious extremism and the dire consequences that emerge when religious zeal fuses with coercive power.
We all — male and female, Democrat and Republican, the religious and those who choose no religion, the religious extremists and those who express their faith differently — would do well to hear and digest the principle of robust and genuine religious liberty for all.
America is one of the most religious and most religiously diverse nations on the face of the earth. America’s commitment to religious freedom implies a responsibility to respect the religious liberty of others. Despite our religious passion and pluralism, we have been able to avoid the religious conflicts that have punctuated history and plague much of the world today. Blaise Pascal reminds us that “men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.” We need to understand that, however sure we think we are of our position, the other person at least has something to say.
Our goal should be the greatest amount of religious freedom and zero tolerance for violence in the name of religion. It requires that the fear of terror and Islamist extremism not serve as kindling for Christian theocratic tendencies, which is why, in the days following the events of September 11, the Baptist Joint Committee urged that the government use language that is consistent with the role of civil government. Being careful, that is, not to sow seeds of hate, cast blame where it does not belong nor seek vengeance instead of justice.
There is little doubt that the vast majority of the world’s religions are centrally and historically rooted in the teachings associated with love and respect for humanity. In light of this reality and on the anniversary of 9/11, let us be reminded that we all can find common ground if we strive to find it.
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