Religious fundamentalists are pretty much the same everywhere. Which is kind of funny, considering that each fundie group, whether Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, or what-have-you, thinks it’s the one true source of Truth with a capital T. One of the things shared by fundies worldwide is their sheer hatefulness; they see God as a wrathful avenger, and applaud other fundies who deal out “punishment” to those they see as enemies of their faith.
Yesterday, the similarities were crystal clear. Anwar al Awlaki, a radical American Muslim imam now living in Yemen, praised the Ft. Hood shooter, Maj. Nidal Hasan, as “a hero” who was following God’s wishes when he killed U.S. soldiers last week. Officials say Hasan has communicated with Awlaki at various times.
Around the time Awlaki was praising Hasan and promoting his own hateful vision of religion yesterday, Rev. Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church group was rallying in front of the school attended by President Obama’s children, bearing signs proclaiming, “God Is Your Enemy.” Phelps’ group is known for its hatemongering, and have often disrupted the funerals of American troops killed in Iraq, claiming that God is punishing the U.S. for its support of “rampant, disgusting fags.” The group also picketed the funeral of Matthew Shepard, declaring that the victim of homophobic violence was a “filthy sodomite” who deserved what he got – a sentiment all the Anwar al Awlakis and Fred Phelpses of the world would agree to.
This article appears in Nov 10-16, 2009.
My fellow readers, I think in 2010 we should all resolve to turn the other cheek instead of bashing Frank Griffin no matter how hateful he turns towards everyone else. I noticed that in the last few hours on New Years Eve when the rest of us were spending time with family and friends, Frank was spending his time writing several posts on this blog. This tells me that while the rest of us were with loved ones he was all alone and bitter, friendless and with a family that doesn’t want him around. Such a man should be pitied, not hated. Let’s do our best to tolerate him in the new year. Peace and God bless.