We truly live in a dangerous time. Never before in my generation’s time has the world been so full of hateful propaganda, fear and mutual suspicion.

What is scary is that extremists, absolutists and outright fanatics from all cultures and all quarters seem to have won the upper hand right now.

Yet at the same time, there are voices of sanity that still can be heard.

I found two online videos that concern the role of religion in today’s world. The first, utterly hateful and disgusting I found in this shocking article in Mother Jones, which covers the anti-Islam views of fundamentalist pastor Reverend Rod Parsley:

During a 2005 sermon, a fundamentalist pastor whom Senator John McCain has praised and campaigned with called Islam “the greatest religious enemy of our civilization and the world,” claiming that the historic mission of America is to see “this false religion destroyed.” In this taped sermon, currently sold by his megachurch, the Reverend Rod Parsley reiterates and amplifies harsh and derogatory comments about Islam he made in his book, Silent No More, published the same year he delivered these remarks. Meanwhile, McCain has stuck to his stance of not criticizing Parsley, an important political ally in a crucial swing state.

To think that a man who might soon have his finger on the triggers on the world’s biggest destructive arsenal considers a hater like Parsley a spiritual guide is simply scary beyond belief!

That’s not to say that Islam doesn’t have its fair share of out of control fanatics. Many of Amman’s Friday prayers end with “Oh God Please Destroy the White House” and stuff like that. But the video above just shows that such ideas can come from anywhere and can influence even the world’s top leaders.

Contrast this with the words of religious scholar Karen Armstrong, who, in a recent talk at the amazing TED conference, argued that what religion boils down to is global compassion. Her wish for a Charter of Compassion won her the TED prize this year.

I urge you to watch her talk below. It might not be as easy to understand as the rabid speech of the Reverend above. But its message should be heard if humanity wants to survive the next decade.

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Comments

6 responses to “Will religion destroy the world.. or heal it? McCain’s crazy pastor vs. Karen Armstrong’s sanity”

  1. bambam Avatar
    bambam

    On one hand you denounce fanaticism, which if looked upon objectively it’s the self preservation mechanism of any religion. while on the other hand you are celebrating universalism and you make it sound like you can maintain your religious views while adopting an either or. while in fact, both are utterly incompatible and seek to negate the other.

    For no religion is welcoming of viewing any other religion as an equal and different path to the same thing, which is the essence of what karen is saying.

    and again the majority of the blame is not on the fanatics since they will always exist but on the moderates who shy away from pointing out bluntly what they mean, and what they want to say to maintain their faux centrist Valhalla, case in point

  2. Moey Avatar
    Moey

    I agree with bambam

  3. kinzi Avatar
    kinzi

    I’m trying to come up with a coherent response, as a wanna-be-portrayed-as-moderate who is probably really an extremist by these definitions. I think Mother Jones would define anyone who truly believes God exists or in a holy book as an extremist.

    I am much more afraid of the fingers on the destructive arsenals of Iran and Pakistan, where there is quite a history of obliteration of anyone who doesn’t follow Islam as they define it. Who continue to kill Christians for a variety of reasons. Not to mention the non-nuclear but well-armed factions in other countries causing mayhem.

    I dont’ think it is a stretch to say that there are more out of control Muslim fanatics killing others around the world than people who attend Rev. Parsley’s church. I’ve never heard a Christian say it is the job of the US gov to destroy Islam, even on the farthest right ones.

    ‘and other stuff’ heard in Amman mosques on Fridays, includes the killing of Christians and Jews. A friend sent a video of a Jordanian Imam calling for the destruction and Islamization of America. That scares me a lot more than Rev. Parsley. I find it hateful and disgusting.

    I would like to see Christians like me expose people like Parsley, and I know Christians would love to see Muslims like you taking on your fanatics.

  4. muhammad arrabi Avatar
    muhammad arrabi

    There are few religious beliefs in the history of the world that claim exclusiveness. Those, by design, are always at odds with each other.

    And then, there are religious beliefs that strive to find the “truth”, the essence, the perennial core, of this world and of our beings. Those people, on the other hand, are almost always in harmony even with atheists.

    Judaism, Christianity, & Islam have both perspectives, and they are torn between those who understand them the former or latter ways.

    Interestingly, mystics (or Sufis) in all 3 traditions are very similar. They stress the religion of instinct – deen al-fitra – which means anybody can arrive at the truth just through the inner knowledge that was born with all human beings. Thus… not all Muslims are necessarily “declared” Muslims.

    I don’t know how the exclusivists interpret “deen al-fitra”.

  5. Mean Dean Avatar
    Mean Dean

    Here in the States, Mother Jones is considered extreme even by liberals.

    Whereas the snippet of said pastor is getting absolutely no traction here within the electoral landscape.

    Perhaps because there are immense differences between a pastor McCain visited only a few times versus a pastor whom married, discipled for 20 years, and baptized the children of Obama.

    Moreover, in the States there is a significant but silent majority whom feel their religious liberties are at risk – ironically more due to in-country groups such as the ACLU than any extremist faction from abroad.

    But as I said, this story has much less traction than Senator Obama’s 57 states gaff!-)

  6. Jordan Explorer Avatar
    Jordan Explorer

    Religion is simple.. and Islam is very simple.
    You get people with, people against any specific religion.
    As long as the fanatism doesn’t go into being aggresive with others,
    that’s tolerable, but when it happens.. from any religion.. it has to be stopped.
    That aside, I wish we NEVER forget the role of governments and politics in all that, because since religion affects easily the hearts of its adherants, then it is something easy to use by politicians and push people against other under the reason or excuse of religion, when the real thing behind it is pure politics (and politics means money and authority).

    I am an old fan of Mme Armstrong for her balanced view of religion, and I am Muslim.

    Thanks