A church in Gainesville, Florida is planning on burning a stack of Qurans on September 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country -- and I, for one,  just have to scream, “NO! This is not the answer!” We are not a nation based on hate or discrimination. Fighting hatred with hatred serves nobody and hurts many.

Politicians from both sides of the red/blue divide (from Hillary Clinton and Obama’s advisors to Sarah Palin), as well as the Pope, General Petraeus, and almost 9000 people on a Facebook page aimed at stopping the madness all agree that this is simply preposterous, disgraceful, and un-American. Not to wax poetic about revolutionary war values, but this country was based on religious freedom first and foremost. How can we condemn those who act out of fear and hatred to hurt those in this country if some of us are doing the same? Didn’t this Gainesville church learn anything in kindergarten or Sunday School -- like “two wrongs don’t make a right” and “love thy neighbor as thyself?” I mean seriously, people. Grow up.

I grew up in the Methodist church. 

It was a lovely church, and there were many kind, gentle loving people who attended -- including of course, my parents, who are good humans, serve Jesus with pure hearts, and do unto others as they would have them do until themselves. But what turned me off from my church (and I know all churches are different) is the collective group-speak that tends to rule some churches. You know what I mean -- when the pastor raises his hands and asks those in the audience who wish to be saved to come down the aisle kneel at the altar and let their sins wash away (oh, and be sure to leave a generous donation in the offering tray once you’ve been cleansed).

I’ll save my thoughts on organized religion (they’re too muddled to make any sense really). Suffice it to say that I have a close personal relationship with God but don’t quite fit into the boxes of any of the congregations I’ve explored. I pray, I have utter faith in The Universe, the Master Plan, and Sebastian Murphy, the purple kangaroo. But it’s just these kinds of stories that made me shy away from the church in the first place.

Divide or unite?

It’s easy to dismiss this particular church in Gainesville. After all, it boasts only 50 members and is notable for the fact that the pastor’s own daughter has renounced the church and accused him of dipping into the till.

Clearly, this church is on the fringe.

But it speaks to the bigger issue that concerns me -- and I’m not alone. Why must we let our faith divide us, rather than unite us? Why can’t you let me believe what I believe, I’ll let you believe what you believe, and we can love each other anyway? Why must we let religion, hatred, and fear get between us and the Divine? If God is love, where is the God in this church? And what are we to do about it?

This question has been posed -- without a satisfactory answer -- since man has been kneeling before altars. Why must we push our beliefs on others, rather than accepting that there is likely more than one way to salvation, more than one way to eternal peace, and many paths to awakening?

Unconditional love and acceptance

May we all set the example for those who live in fear and hatred by standing here at Owning Pink for unconditional love and acceptance, for choice and autonomy, for authenticity and community, regardless of differences of opinion, whether we’re talking about religion, abortion, politics, vaginas, or all the other controversial subjects we’ve tackled recently?

And may we appeal to this Gainesville church to open their hearts and see those they aim to spew venom at with magical eyes, eyes that see past the masks to witness the spirits that lie inside those they choose to hate? I pray The Universe will guide them back home and bring peace and love into their hearts. I remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. I know exactly where I was when I heard the news, what I was wearing, what I held in my hand, and how my heart hurt. I haven’t forgotten, but I pray that we have learned something from that fateful day and all the wars that have followed. Revenge is simply not the answer.

What do you think about the plan to burn the Qurans? Tell us about your experiences with organized religion. How can we at Owning Pink help spread love and acceptance to balance out the hate others permeate into our communities? What one little step can you do in the world to make up for those that aim to disrespect others?

Preaching peace,

Lissa