Followup on Rep. Goode
I wrote a letter to the editor of the Charlottesville Daily Progress which was published on Saturday, February 3, 2007:
To the editor:
On January 23, 2007, six representatives from local (Virginia’s 5th District) and national faith organizations met with Rep. Virgil H. Goode, Jr. (R-VA), on Capitol Hill. The purpose of this visit was to make a “pastoral call” during which the representatives articulated their respective reactions and concerns over Rep. Goode’s recent statements about Muslims and the Qur’an. It was a concerted appeal for Mr. Goode to realize that his words had a negative local as well as global impact, and that we have much more to gain by seeking common ground thereby illuminating the darkness of the unknown other from which our fears are born. A petition to reconsider his position signed by 8000 people was presented to Rep. Goode, as was the following letter written jointly by a Charlottesville area interfaith network.
As expected, Mr. Goode generally stuck to his “I stand by my statements” stance, and argued a literal and context-less interpretation of his comments. However, his arguments were brief and his tone was not dismissive. In fact, judging from his expressions and body language, he appeared to be listening sincerely and processing what he was hearing. In the end, he was invited to visit an Islamic center to observe a worship service and/or engage in a dialogue of understanding about Muslims and Islam. He accepted the invitation, which, for the ever-hopeful, represents a positive shift in trajectory.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:43 am
Very nicely written, and I concur wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed. The only tolerance we shouldn’t have is for hateful, exclusive speech against others.
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Hear, hear!