TIA-BG Statement

Respecting What Others Hold Sacred

Theologian Hans Kung once said, "There will be peace on earth when there is peace among the world religions." As we witness conflict in the world, especially the conflict that happens under the banner of religion, these challenging remarks are deeply insightful. Whether it is the insensitivity of defaming the prophet Mohammed in a cartoon or the intention to inflame the passions of sincere devotion toward acts of vandalism and violence, our failure to respect, understand and appreciate our neighbor is a root cause of all our conflicts. Even when injured by the hateful acts of another, our response should be in keeping with our deeper heritage and calling to peace and reconciliation. Each major religious tradition teaches us to forgive injury, to defend the powerless, and to mercifully turn our pain into an opportunity to engage others and build relationships. Responses to hatred that foster hatred are likewise outside God's teaching. In this matter, and all such matters, God calls upon injured parties to respond in ways that heal, rather than condemn us to further destruction.

It is the conviction of the Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass that use of the media to exploit the most base inclinations that are present in each of us is an aberration of faith and damage the healing power of religion in our world. By definition and influence, the true purpose of religion is to unite and not divide, to build bridges, to ease conflict and work together for peace. There is no righteousness of God when we are not righteous with one another. Likewise, when corporate greed fuels divisions in order to sell more newspapers and captivate the public attention, we all become complicit in the destruction that tears communities apart.