It is not fair to tar 1.8 billion for actions of a few

Photo Credit: Doc Ross
Photo Credit: Doc Ross


Date posted: October 4, 2012

We, the undersigned members of the Auburn Ministerial Association, wish to disassociate ourselves from the remarks made by the Rev. Rudy Tidwell about Islam and Muslims in the Sept. 20 edition of The Auburn-Opelika News for these reasons:

Any religion that demands its members to pray five times a day and to fast for an entire month (Ramadan) must be doing something correct and pleasing in the sight of God.

Is it fair to tar 1.8 billion members for the actions of a few? Should we not distinguish between Islam the religion and Islam as an ideology? Islam in itself is a peaceful religion, although a few radicals act against its religious precepts. One of the Sunni intellectuals, Fethullah Gulen, who has a faith-based movement in Turkey, has argued persuasively that “a true Muslim cannot be a terrorist.”

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are called Abrahamic religions, sharing many tenets in common: belief in one God, the acceptance of the Hebrew Scriptures and their prophets, the importance of prayer, fasting, penitence, and ritual, an emphasis on the word of God, an emphasis on living a morally, upright life, and a personal relationship with God.

As people of faith, we all have an obligation to struggle with others of good will against oppression and injustice and work actively towards understanding and acceptance.

Richard Penaskovic, Vice President of Auburn Ministerial Association (A.M.A.)

Mark Dougherty, President , A.M.A.

Rev. Frank Covington, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Auburn

Rev. Libba Stinson, Grace UMC

Rev. Diana Allende, Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Father Bill Skoneki, Pastor, St. Michael’s Catholic Church

Dr. Michael Friedman, Beth Shalom Synagogue

Johnny Green, Pastor, Crossroad Community Church

John Fritschner, Pastor , Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Source: OANOW.COM, October 4, 2012


Related News

Pioneer Academy of Science to Move to a New Campus

The Turkish school Pioneer Academy of Science operating in Clifton, New Jersey for years is going to move into its new building in September, 2013. The school administration, in search for a new building for a long time, have announced the decision to move into a larger complex located in Wayne township of New Jersey.

Gülen’s critics have no supporting evidence, says academic

EMRE OĞUZ American sociology professor Helen Rose Ebaugh, who has written a book analyzing the Gülen movement, has said those criticizing the movement have no documents to back up their criticisms. Ebaugh, the author of a book titled “The Gülen Movement: A Sociological Analysis of a Civic Movement Rooted in Moderate Islam,” was speaking at […]

Turkish Extradition Request Could Strain Relations With US

The news that Turkey will officially request that the United States extradite Turkish Islamic scholar Fetullah Gulen is threatening to strain U.S.-Turkish relations. Ankara insists Gulen is behind a conspiracy to overthrow the government. But analysts warn that Ankara may find it difficult legally to secure his extradition.

Gülen extends condolences to MHP over official’s death

Prominent Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who also inspired the faith-based Hizmet movement, issued a message of condolence to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) officials regarding the death of the party’s media adviser, Cengiz Yücel Akyıldız, who was killed during an attack outside a party office on Sunday.

Kimse Yok Mu reaches out to 12,000 families in Palestine

Despite the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government’s removal of Turkish aid organization Kimse Yok Mu’s right to raise money without permission from the Ministry of Interior Affairs, the UN-affiliated aid association is getting ready to deliver meat to 12,000 poor households in Palestine.

Man campaigning for anti-Gülen protest in US Turkish Communist Party member

A statement on the herkul.org website, which broadcasts weekly speeches of Gülen, said Gülen’s doors are open to everyone. “We are following the path of 13th-century Sufi philosopher and poet Rumi. Our hearts and doors are open to everyone. We have all kinds of tea and refreshments here. Freedom of expression and thought is what we have also been defending unless it contains insult.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

14th Int’l Festival of Language and Culture kicks off in Philippines

Kimse Yok Mu provides meal for 250 Syrians each day in southeastern Turkey

Turks Seen as Sympathetic to US-Based Muslim Cleric Say They Face Threats

Human Rights Watch Director: This is a political purge… pure and simple!

Woman says husband abducted after losing job in post-coup crackdown

The Hizmet Movement: Reflections from Sri Lanka

Hizmet movement and the Kurdish question

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News