Saturday August 14, 2010

I've Been Thinking:

Last night President Barack Obama spoke at a break fast dinner. The dinner marked the end of a day of the month long fast of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast by day and eat at night.

Obama spoke about religious freedom and tolerance. I saw a synopsis of the president's remarks and, mark my words, what was said will be heard and interpreted very differently from the intent with which the president chose and spoke his words.

The Muslim community will not be offended by the president. They will draw their own conclusions from the double message that the president, I assume inadvertently, delivered to the break fast guests.

The Muslim community will hear that religious intolerance is unacceptable. That religious intolerance is at the heart of the debate shrouding the World Trade Center mosque. They will understand that the President of the United States is in favor of the mosque.

Other audiences will hear the president deliver a subtle moral lesson, advising the Muslim community that they, too, must practice tolerance.

Bottom line: The president’s message will be totally lost. His attempt at subtle persuasion will be lost on the Muslim community. And those who do not want the Mosque to be built will not be moved by the call for tolerance.

What a wasted opportunity.

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