On June 10, 2017, in 22 major cities in America (Yes, you, Houston! Seattle! St. Paul! Kansas City! Raleigh! Orlando! etc.) a group called ACT! for America is planning anti-Muslim “March Against Sharia” protests. This conservative group expresses their prejudice against Muslims with the typical fear-mongering outlandish claims about an Islamic conspiracy to take overContinue reading “Anti-Muslim Protests Planned Across America”
Tag Archives: PREJUDICE
Fighting God’s Enemies
Religion can bring out the best or the worst in mankind. It brings out the best, for example, when we follow the Great Commandment to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves; or as similarly commanded in Islam, habluminallah, habluminannas. Religion brings out the worst in mankind whenContinue reading “Fighting God’s Enemies”
Muslims Crack Me Up
Recently I wrote about how Muslim Americans may be more afraid of you than you are of them! (See my post 1001 More Ways to Die in America.) With all the prejudice Muslims face, sometimes even the threat of personal violence, how can they best respond? If American Muslims chose to hide, or to beContinue reading “Muslims Crack Me Up”
1001 MORE Ways to Die in America (part 2)
Recently I addressed the fear that many Americans face that Muslim jihadists may infiltrate our nation posing as refugees and conduct terrorist attacks against us. I argued that although this is possible, living in fear of such an event makes no more sense than living in fear of lightning strikes or of dying from fallingContinue reading “1001 MORE Ways to Die in America (part 2)”
The Battle for our Children
A lovely young woman (we’ll call her “Star”) wearing a head covering came into our office recently to apply for the position of Peace Generation Coordinator that we had advertised. She already had a master’s degree and seemed to be from a family of some wealth, so I was surprised to hear how she spentContinue reading “The Battle for our Children”
The Right Response to Paris
It’s been an interesting couple weeks, with Islam dominating the news. The horrific attacks in Paris stirred up a tremendous amount of sympathy, fear, and not always constructive reactions around the world. France’s president promised a “ruthless” response, and subsequent raids across France and bombings in the Middle East were evidence of his sincerity. Meanwhile, manyContinue reading “The Right Response to Paris”
#LoveYourNeighbor
In my last blog I let you know about the anti-Muslim protests planned for this weekend. In this update, I want to share with you what just one person is doing about it. Catherine Orsborn is from Shoulder to Shoulder, a Peace Catalyst-related organization. Here’s a letter explaining how she is rallying people to respond:Continue reading “#LoveYourNeighbor”
Love Excludes Prejudice
There are anti-Islam protests—some armed—planned across America this Sunday, October 10th. Please take a moment to read about it here: http://imagine2050.newcomm.org/2015/09/29/anti-muslim-protests-some-armed-planned-for-at-least-20-sites-across-the-country/ How does that article make you feel? Is it possible to be a patriot and yet love your neighbor too? This Sunday my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful church service in Indonesia,Continue reading “Love Excludes Prejudice”
The Importance of Reconciliation in Conflict Resolution – Part 2
I’m a bit behind on my writing due to moving from the US back to Indonesia, back to our work with local Muslims and Christians pursuing peace. What a joy to be surrounded by people here who share a common dream for a better world and are willing to put aside their personal prejudices andContinue reading “The Importance of Reconciliation in Conflict Resolution – Part 2”
Jim Baton 