Chat Transcript 09/26/01:
Religious extremism, terrorism, and anti-choice violence.

<RCRC> Welcome everyone to a chat about religious extremism, terrorism, and anti-choice violence.

<RCRC> Hello, my name is Amy Hetrick, and I will be a co-moderator tonight.

<RCRC> I work at the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, a national pro-choice organization that speaks and educates for reproductive choice through the moral power of religious communities.

<FMF> FMF is the Feminist Majority Foundation, a research and advocacy organization with an amazing campus program! I'm Debbie Castro, the Online Coordinator of our campus web community www.feministcampus.org

<RCRC> More than forty national faith groups are part of our coalition.

<RCRC> We know that the Religious Right is really the Religious Wrong because contrary to their rhetoric, a majority of religious and spiritual people are PRO-CHOICE!

<RCRC> We work with spiritual students to bring the pro-faith, pro-choice message to campuses across the country.

<RCRC> The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and the Feminist Majority Foundation have been working together on a project to bring a SPIRITUALITY HOUSE to the Feminist Majority^`'s Choices Campus Community.

<RCRC> Spirituality House is an online campus spirituality center that offers interfaith, multicultural and pro-choice resources to feminists. This chat is a way to raise awareness about spirituality and reproductive choice and to let you know about the many resources that Spirituality House offers! Please visit Spirituality House after the chat by clicking on the icon on the left of your screen.

<FMF> FMF and RCRC have worked to create a spirituality house on feministcampus.org to share our work and resources

<RCRC> Then on September 11th, tragedy hit the United States and the world. Our chat took on a different focus.

<RCRC> We at the Religious Coalition are deeply saddened by the terrorist attacks and --- like so many Americans ---sought spiritual solace, praying and asked God for justice, peace, and understanding.

<RCRC> As we reflect on the terrorism we are reminded of the ways that the pro-choice religious community has long challenged religious extremism at clinics.

<RCRC> Extremists-whatever their ideology, weapons, and geography-pose a profound danger to our freedoms. Their purpose is not only to deny a woman's right to choose, but also to impose their religious view on all Americans. At time their weapons are words; other times, they are terror and murder.

<RCRC> We hope to explore with you and the panelists tonight in this chat the terrorism of 9/11 and the kind of terrorism and religious extremism that we^`'ve been dealing with from the likes of Falwell, Robertson, and Flip Benham of Operation Save America.

<RCRC> So, thank you very much for joining us for this very important chat on Religious Extremism, Terrorism, and Anti-Choice Violence.

<RCRC> I'd like to give you an overview of tonight's chat: The moderators will introduce the panelists. The panelists will offer opening statements. You will then have an opportunity to ask the panelists questions. The panelists will answer. The panelists will offer their closing statements. Then we will say our farewells. You will visit Spirituality House (plug, plug).

<Ardie> How has the Muslim community dealt with the anti-Islamic fervor we've seen in so many communities?

<FMF> You can post your questions for the panelists at any time

<FMF> Our first panelist is REV MONICA CORSARO, a generation X United Methodist minister who has actively and passionately been a religious voice for choice for over thirteen years participating in her first march, as a college student for Planned Parenthood with her United Methodist Minister.

<FMF> REV MONICA CORSARO currently serves as Board President to Washington State Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

<FMF> Since 1974, DR RIFFAT HASSAN, has been one of the pioneers of feminist theology in the context of the Islamic tradition.

<FMF> In February 1999, DR RIFFAT HASSAN founded The International Network for the Rights of Female Victims of Violence in Pakistan (INRFVVP), a non-profit organization with a worldwide membership, which has played a noteworthy role in highlighting the issue of violence against girls and women, particularly with reference to ""crimes of honor.""

<Annie> In your work with campus ministries, have you found that many students consider themselves religious/identify with a religion?

<FMF> REV VALERIA LASSITER is an ordained minister in the Baptist faith under the direction of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. She is currently the Director of Corporate Development for Everybody Wins! a reading and mentoring program in the Washington area.

<Aimee> Do you think that the kind of violence we saw in the terrorist attacks emboldens those who commit honor crimes in Pakistan? Do you know if there has been an increase since the 11th, or do you think there isn't a correlation there?

<FMF> RABBI TOBY MANEWITH directs educational programs for Jewish college students who have recently arrived home from trips to Israel. She works for Hillel:The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and this is her ninth year working with college students, having been director of Hillel programs at both Syracuse University and American University.

<FMF> RABBI TOBY MANEWITH is a Reform Rabbi and has always been active in women's issues, especially prevention of violence against women. She feels that is is important to speak on issues such as sexual violence, abortion, AIDS, and sexuality and works to let the many students who are affected by these issues know that she is a supportive religious leader with whom they may talk openly.

<FMF> SHONDA SHEPPARD, an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church, has been a practicing earth-religionist for over 12 years. Currently, Shonda's ministry is focused on heightening awareness and embracing differences through national and international community service.

<FMF> REV DEBORAH MERO, a Unitarian Universalist Minister, is currently interim minister at All Souls Church in Brattleboro, VT and has served congregations in Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts. REV DEBORAH MERO is the former state coordinator of Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice affiliates in Washington and Oregon.

<FMF> Hi Jessica

<JessicaTTU> Hi

<Jessica> JessicaTTU, has there been any backlash against Muslim students on the Texas Tech campus?

<FMF> By the way, the Panelists have entered the Chat room!

<MONICA>This is a reality those of us in the pro-choice have had to be all too keenly aware. Any of us that volunteer in clinics, work in clinics, defend clinics or work with staff have as part of our reality that these places clould be bombed. And in some cases staff have been shot at or even killed. This is something I think about everyday as a Christian who hears it is

<DEBORAH>I would have thought that the attacks in NY & DC would have given the folks picketing the clinic in Wichita something better to do and think about, but it only fired them up

<MONICA>I mourn and am empowered at the same time to focus my energies on dialogue with my brothers and sisters of other faith traditions to coem together in the face of the racism and reach Christians who feel compelled and called by God to carry out their actions.

<DEBORAH>One thing I am learning about religious extremism/ terrorism, etc is that the people who find a cause that they are committed to are not going to respond to the kind rational thinking that most of us do.

<MONICA>We in our pro-choice world know it extremism and the need for power and control that leads these folks not God

<DEBORAH> When one person thinks that they are called by God to destroy for the sake of their cause, we need to keep in mind that we also are called to preserve and protect those who are putting themselves on the line to protect choice.

<MONICA>We now have an opportunity as young leaders to learn from each other's faith and come together to say no to the terror in a multi-faith feminist way

<SHONDA> The history of earth religionists (ER) and Goddess worship in general is full of horrific assaults stemming from Religious Extremism, Terrorism, and Anti-Choice Violence. Nevertheless, with all that history, every shocking event is a new attack. Perhaps it is also a new opportunity to review our theology and our daily manifestations of our faith.

<FMF> I agree, as young leaders we must learn from each other's faith and come together to say no to the terror in a multi-faith feminist way

<Carey> Someone posed a question earlier concerning how having an organized religion has helped since the 11th. I know personally that the feeling of community that comes from praying in church is similar to the comfort that arises during a candlelight vigil.

<FMF> Anti-choice violence, violence against clinics, the recent terrorist attacks... religion has been used as a tool

<FMF> This chat comes at a crucial time for women's rights and democracy in the US and abroad our country mourns and turns to faith and spirituality and yet... questions religion and terrorism

<DEBORAH> Except that when you are part of a faith community that shares your values, you have a safe place to be and talk about your feelings about all of what has happened

<DEBORAH> My congregation was expressing very mixed feelings about all of the flag waving, and at church it was a safe place to express that

<FMF> During this time of mourning, many in our country turn to religion, faith and spirituality And at the same time others question religion, and examine its role in extremism, violence and terrorism

<TOBY> In Judaism, there is the tradition that it is OK - even good - to argue and struggle with God. We are in the middle of our most sacred time of the year - The ten days of repentance bordered by Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur during which we think about our past deeds and turn back to God. A lot of us - as a lot of other people of faith, are spending this time struggling with God

<RCRC> Note to everyone, panelists are identified by having their names in blue.

<FMF> You can post questions directly to panellists

<DEBORAH> Last Sunday we looked at the early - very early- concept of the scapegoat

<MONICA> I think Toby makes a good point, it is ok to struggle with God especially in times like these I myself went to Lamentations and Jermiah alot these last two weeks

<Moderator> Rev. Deborah Mero, Unitarian Universalist Minister

<MONICA>This is a reality those of us in the pro-choice have had to be all too keenly aware. Any of us that volunteer in clinics, work in clinics, defend clinics or work with staff have as part of our reality that these places could be bombed. And in some cases staff have been shot at or even killed. This is something I think about everyday as a Christian who hears it is Christians who feel compelled and called by God to carry

<Aimee> How do you reconcile what has happened with God? It's something I've really been struggling with the last two weeks...

<Annie> Have the panelists who minister to students felt an increase in the need for their services in the past couple of weeks?

<Ardie> How has the Muslim community dealt with the anti-Islamic fervor we've seen in so many communities?

<RIFFAT> People who commit ""honor"" crimes in Pakistan and elsewhere often use Islam to legitimize their actions which are rooted in patriarchal culture. It is possible that those who committed the terrorist acts had some religious beliefs that they could use as a legitimation for what they did. However, Islam does not support any kind of aggression and there is a Qur'anic verse which states that taking one life unjustly is tantamount to taking the life of all humanity and saving one life is tantamount to saving all humanity. In other words, Islam puts an absolute value on every human life. I would also like to say that the majority of Muslims in the world are moderate and do not support violence. The idea that Muslims all over the world are crying out for ""jihad"" against the U.S. or Western countries is not supported by facts.

<TOBY> In the liturgy for Rosh Hashaanh there is a prayer about ""who will live and who will die"" Who by fire and who by water"" It is only natural to struggle after reading that

<MONICA>This is a reality those of us in the pro-choice have had to be all too keenly aware. Any of us that volunteer in clinics, work in clinics, defend clinics or work with staff have as part of our reality that these places clould be bombed. And in some cases staff have been shot at or even killed. This is something I think about everyday as a Christian who hears it is Christians who feel com

<DEBORAH> My belief is that God is in the response to the dissaster- not in the dissaster itself. God showed up in all the people who rallied to help and is still showingup

<TOBY> The verse in the Koran is also in the Talmud, the main compendium of Jewish law

<SHONDA> In every faith tradition, there are extremists and we, as humans, tend to lend all credibility to those extremists. All faiths of love and light would not, could not support the acts of recent.

<FMF> From a student who couldn't make it to the chat: Rabbi Manewith, have you experienced anti-Semitism at the hands of the anti-abortion movement? Can you speak to that?

<TOBY> A complicated question.

<Annie> What do you mean by ""...we, as humans, tend to lend all credibility to those extremists""? I'm not sure I follow...

<RCRC> Dr. Hassan, what are your thoughts about the characterization of Islam since 9/11?

<RCRC> Panelists, how do you think we as spiritual feminists can work together to heal the world and stand for justice, peace and freedom during these difficult times?

<SHONDA> didn't come out as I meant. What I mean is that we tend to allow extreme acts define a group. Perhaps it is because it catches our attention but we tend to default to that

<FMF> HI Barbara

<Annie> Oh, now I see. Thanks for clarifying.

<MONICA>I lost my answer sorry

<MONICA>I'll try again

<RIFFAT>Islam has been images negatively in the West since its advent in Europe in the seventh century. It has not only been seen as the ""Other"" but as the ""Adversary"". This image comes to surface everytime there is a crisis in which Muslims are allegedly involved (Sometimes they are not involved at all as in the Oklahoma bombing case)

<DEBORAH> I have to take my role as a spiritual leader seriously and continually preach for peace whether or not it may be the

<DEBORAH> politically correct"" thing to do.

<TOBY> option

<MONICA>We need to keep practicing and living within our faith communities we need to be talking to one another and we need to be out on the streets

<DEBORAH> We also need to be writing letters to the people making the decisions and writing them as persons of faith

<MONICA>We need to be keeping the extremist voices accountable and making sure they are not the only voices heard

<FMF> From a student who couldn't be here: Do all of the religions represented in RCRC officially support abortion, or do some of the ministers/rabbis/etc take a personal pro-choice stance despite official religious doctrine? I am curious because I am a pro-choice former/""recovering"" Catholic lesbian who understands that recent Catholic dogma leaves little room for flexibility.

<TOBY> Some of the same people who hold anti-abortion beleifs because of their religious extremism

<MONICA> Yes they do

<FMF> yes all religions represented in RCRC officially support abortion?

<TOBY> target who they percieve as liberal Jewish doctors. Some beleive the myths that Jews control the government and the media

<FMF> or do some take a personal stance despite religious doctrine

<MONICA>I was really responding to Toby

<FMF>oh

<MONICA> But I think yes to the other question

<DEBORAH>Catholics for a Free Choice has a lot of substantive things to say from a Catholic perspective.

<MONICA> Oh yes like how could a Catholic be part of the coaltion?

<MONICA> And yes that is the answer while some churches may have dogma that is the majority

<TOBY> Though the Reform movement in Judaism is officially pro-choice, not all movements in Judaism have taken this stance

<DEBORAH>Unitarian Universalism has supported a woman's right to choose since before abortion was legal

<MONICA> The ""minority"" have banded together to make a statement a movement an organization and in the Catholic case that is cathlics for free choice

<RCRC> The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is a coalition of more than forty faith groups that hold an official pro-choice position

<SHONDA>Pagans do not have doctrine to govern their lives. All is ""free-choice"" and responsbilitiy of that choice is ultimately between you and Spirit alone.

<FMF> From a student who couldn't make it: Dr. Riffat Hassan, do you see Muslim leaders playing a large role in this upcoming conflict? The Taliban is preparing for a jihad, a holy war, and, from my point of view at least, conservative politicians in the United States seem to be suiting up for the Crusades. Will Muslim leaders be forced to ""choose sides""? Where do you see your role as a Muslim scholar and leader in taking us away from this ""holy war"" mentality?

<MONICA>The United Methodist Church is a pro-choice church although there aregroups within in who are not

<RCRC> Great question FMF student!

<Luis> How is fundamentalism defined?

<RCRC> What is the difference between fundamentalism and religious extremism?

<RCRC> We are almost out of time.

<FMF> too often people confuse fundamentalism and extremism

<MONICA> One, the f word is how you approach texts the other the r.e. phrase is what your willing to do

<SHONDA> very good monica!

<TOBY> In Judaism at this time of year it is traditional to offer greetings of Shanah Tovah - may you have a good year. It seems like know is the right time to wish people shalom - peace and shalem - wholeness.

<FMF> fundamentalism : a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching

<FMF> fundamentalism a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles

<MONICA> Like Shonda said we who ""live in love and light"" find it very hard to comprehend the hate and evil that drives someone to do what they do.

<FMF> Monica, why use the word ""evil"" in describing violence?

<SHONDA> Blessings of the Goddess to you all! Like any good mother, her hand is always there for you to grab hold of.

<MONICA> It reminds me there is much work to do for all of us. And as each day passes I believe more and more it is much harder to work out of an ethic of love then of hate

<MONICA> So work hard we must.

<MONICA> We are worth it

<MONICA> Our planet is worth it

<RIFFAT> Muslims are obviously going to play a major ""role"" in the upcoming conflict because the terrorists who launched the attacks on Sept. 11 are alleged to be Muslims. The U.S. is asking all countries, including Muslim countries, to take the side of the U.S. or the side of the terrorists. Nothing in between is posited as an option. The vast majority of the Muslims oppose terrorism even if some U.S.policies are not endorsed by some Muslims. It is erroneous, and dangerous, to keep saying that Muslims in general, or widely, are proclaiming ""jihad"" against the U.S. The concept of ""jihad"" does not mean ""war"" or ""holy war"" It refers to the moral struggle that a believer engages in for self-improvement or for the betterment of society. I see my role to be that of an educator who is called upon to clarify the teachings of Islam to non-Muslims and also to those Muslims who confuse ""culture"" or ""politics"" with ""religion"". There is a vast amount of misinformation that needs to be cleared up - without this serious reflection on what terrorism is, and how to eliminate it, is not likely to take place.

<RCRC> We are just about out of time. I want to thank everyone on behalf of the Religious Coalition and the Feminist Majority Foundation for joining us tonight for this forum on this critically important topic. I want to extend a special thanks to our panelists. Please join me in thanking them for taking the time to be with us tonight and for sharing their insights with us.

<RCRC> Please remember to visit Spirituality House on the CHOICES Campus Community and it^`'s companion website, www.syrf.org , which stands for Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom. Bookmark these sites and visit us often. We add new content all the time and would love for you to get involved in spiritual, pro-choice organizing and advocacy on your campus. Drop us a line to get involved!

<Heather> Thanks!

<FMF> We appreciate your time

<Amber> thanks panelists! Goodnight everyone!

<DEBORAH> It seems to me that so much of what we see happening with fundamentalisms of all kinds have fear behind is actions. We need to live our lives and faiths out of love, not fear or anger.

<MONICA> Love,love,love

<Carey> thanks so much!

<FMF> Thanks for a stimulating discussion panelists

<DEBORAH> Yes, Monica!

<JessicaTTU> Thanks everybody, have a nice evening.

<MONICA> Good question FMF evil/violence I'll have to think about that one

<SHONDA> Good night

<FMF> Good night everybody

<MONICA>Good evening

<Luis> thank you all, good night

<TOBY> Good night

<DEBORAH>PEACE to all

<FMF> Thank you all

<SHONDA>thank you amy

<RCRC> Thank you Shonda.

<RCRC> Thanks Riffat.

<DEBORAH> Thanks Amy.

<RCRC> Thanks Deb! :)

<RCRC> I appreciate your patience

<RCRC> Barbara,

<RCRC> ???

<FMF> Riffat, thanks for your time and conversation