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When we think of the word "terrorism" we think of the events of 9/11 or the ongoing bloodshed in Israel and the occupation of Iraq by our own military. But there are many other forms of terrorism that occur right here in our own country and communities.
When I think of terrorism I think of people like Matthew Shepard, Steven Goedereis, Brandon Teena, Charlie Howard, just to name a few, who were brutally murdered because of who they were. This is a form of terrorism.
When I hear people praising Hitler and the Nazis, encouraging the "white race" to fight back and kill all those who don't fit the "aryan theology", this is terrorism.
When people like Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Rush Limbaugh,etc attack and demonize gays and lesbians, women, Bill and Hilary Clinton, and so on, this is terrorism.
Domestic violence and sexual assault, these are also forms of terrorism.
When I read about the thousands of gay youths who endure endless harassment at school, resulting in the too high rate of suicides, this is terrorism.
When groups like the Boy Scouts decree that gay youths and adults, and atheists are not worthy of participating in Scouting, this is terrorism.
And when churches and denominations tell certain groups of people that you are not worthy of God's love because of your race, or gender, or sexuality, this too is terrorism.
To be sure, people like Osama bin Laden, groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, etc are a threat to everyone worldwide. But as we approach the fifth anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard on October 12, ask yourselves this question: What are we doing as a community of faith believers, of social justice advocates, of members of the community, to respond to these forms of terrorism right here in our own backyards?
Remember, all it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to sit back and do nothing.
I write this In memory of Matthew Shepard, Steven Goedereis, and all others who have been victims of terrorism, both foreign and domestic. To forget these people means we haven't learned a thing.
May you go in Peace, not pieces.
When I think of terrorism I think of people like Matthew Shepard, Steven Goedereis, Brandon Teena, Charlie Howard, just to name a few, who were brutally murdered because of who they were. This is a form of terrorism.
When I hear people praising Hitler and the Nazis, encouraging the "white race" to fight back and kill all those who don't fit the "aryan theology", this is terrorism.
When people like Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Rush Limbaugh,etc attack and demonize gays and lesbians, women, Bill and Hilary Clinton, and so on, this is terrorism.
Domestic violence and sexual assault, these are also forms of terrorism.
When I read about the thousands of gay youths who endure endless harassment at school, resulting in the too high rate of suicides, this is terrorism.
When groups like the Boy Scouts decree that gay youths and adults, and atheists are not worthy of participating in Scouting, this is terrorism.
And when churches and denominations tell certain groups of people that you are not worthy of God's love because of your race, or gender, or sexuality, this too is terrorism.
To be sure, people like Osama bin Laden, groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, etc are a threat to everyone worldwide. But as we approach the fifth anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard on October 12, ask yourselves this question: What are we doing as a community of faith believers, of social justice advocates, of members of the community, to respond to these forms of terrorism right here in our own backyards?
Remember, all it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to sit back and do nothing.
I write this In memory of Matthew Shepard, Steven Goedereis, and all others who have been victims of terrorism, both foreign and domestic. To forget these people means we haven't learned a thing.
May you go in Peace, not pieces.