Wednesday, January 9, 2002
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Wednesday, January 9, 2002 |
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Writer demonstrates his own burka of prejudice I find it both appalling and nearly incomprehensible that an employee of Raytheon a global corporation could possess such narrow-minded sentiments. As I read Chuck E. Bryant's letter in Wednesday's Fayette Citizen, I too thought, "Oh, no!" With the dawn of the 21st century, the world faces a new enemy and contrary to Mr. Bryant's belief that it comes disguised under a hood or turban, it instead festers in the heart of the average citizen. Many know, yet few recognize, the bigoted plague that is sweeping our nation. Not only is Mr. Bryant ignorant of his ailment, but also of American history. Indeed, perhaps he should review the American Bill of Rights before making such blunt presumptions as to the wishes of our founding fathers. The core of our nation was established on the principles of equality and freedom confirmed in the First Amendment. How can an American attempt to denounce the freedom of religion without denouncing his citizenship as well? Mr. Bryant's impudent assumptions, however, continue throughout his letter. Both publicly and boldly pronouncing Jesus Christ as the world's only savior completely disregarding other religious beliefs Mr. Bryant reduces his own writing to a child's rash immaturity. As if wearing a burka the traditional hood worn by Muslim women Mr. Bryant's revelation of Islam is ignorant and darkened by narrow-minded prejudice. Christians, and nearly all religions, are equally guilty of heinous crimes committed in the name of religion. Consider the conflict in the Balkans where thousands of Muslims are detained in concentration camps and systematically murdered by Serbian Christians. Regardless, both Christianity and Islam are peace-preaching religions, abused by fundamentalists. A rudimentary lesson in the media for Mr. Bryant: the press concentrates on the brutally misled few, and not the righteous majority. Reflect on that before banishing millions of your fellow man into such vile baseness. A horrible blow struck America on Sept. 11. America, a country symbolizing opportunity, liberty, freedom, and equality, cannot combat its new foe by condemning all non-Christian religions. Therefore we should embrace Fayetteville's new mosque and welcome its culture. America has little to fear from a mosque or "Johnny Walker." Rather I find myself in fear of the Chuck E. Bryants hindered by a much more powerful burka. Does Christianity not preach acceptance? There is nothing fundamental about fundamentalists Christian or Muslim. Ian Stewart Senior, Fayette County High School Fayetteville
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