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An A+ for passion

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts, Q & A on Jan 14, 2008

Irshad (at right) with participants of the Students Effecting Change conference

A 14-year-old student writes:

“From my perspective as a Roman Catholic who’s never really had to think about what would happen to me if I questioned my faith, your book has definitely opened my eyes. Not only to the horrors that go on in some Muslim countries, but also to those who are reform-minded like yourself and who want to see it change - kudos to you for that, by the way.

But really, I just wanted to let you know that you are an inspiration to the youth of today. I was at Me to We Day in Toronto - I loved your speech or lecture or eye-opener or whatever you want to call it.

And then, just before the Christmas break, we were assigned a project in my religion class: we had to choose someone who has spoken out for what they believe and has died or had their life put in danger for their cause.

I can honestly say that before some kids came up with the obvious names like Martin Luther King Jr. or Oscar Romero, I thought of you. Maybe it was because I’d heard you speak before or maybe it was because I admire you for being a journalist (I LOVE to write), but either way, I chose to do my project on you.

Over the break I read your book (awesome!!) and I’ve been looking through your website for information, which I found pretty easily. I came across some horrible comments that people have sent you. Jeez, the nerve of these people!

But I saw all the really nice comments you’ve been given as well, so I just thought I’d add mine in: what you’re doing is awesome and I commend you on your outspokenness, your courage, your intelligence, your open-mindedness, and above all your persistence.

Congratulations on all of your achievements and all that are sure to come. And happy new year :)” xo - Rebecca

Irshad replies: Thanks for your words of support, Rebecca. I’m mighty moved.

Most readers would be offended by the nasty comments I receive but I believe that meaningful diversity must embrace different views and not just different races and religions. Besides, people who spew such ugliness should be accountable, which means bringing their prejudices (along with their names) out into the open. I say: Shower light on everything and let the people decide!

Speaking of showering light on everything, what grade did you get on your paper?

Tahir Gora: agent of moral courage

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on Jan 10, 2008

I’ve been so busy blogging about Benazir and Barack that it’s high time to resume my series about agents of moral courage.

Tahir Aslam Gora, founder of the Independent Muslim Media Network, is a journalist, editor and publisher exiled from Pakistan.

As my Urdu-language translator, he puts his life on the line every day — receiving death threats not just from Pakistan but also from Canada He’s now writing a book about modernizing the Muslim mindset.

The Hamilton Spectator, a Toronto-area newspaper, deserves praise for running Tahir’s provocative columns. In a recent commentary, he says:

“The room for open debate is lessening within Muslim communities every day. Vocal extremist Muslim groups are even pushing the United Nations to pass a resolution to ensure respect for religions and convictions. If that at some stage happens, it would put an end to the possibilities of speaking out on different sensibilities in human life.”

Read Tahir Gora’s entire column.

My piece in NY Times Book Review

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts, Announcements on Jan 06, 2008

This weekend, The New York Times Book Review is focusing on Islam. Here’s my contribution to it — a look at one professor’s fascinating analysis of Muslims and violence.

Want more discussion?  Download the podcast that I taped with a Times editor.

Ready for Part 2? Final installment of your responses to my Bhutto comments on CNN.com and CNN Int’l

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts, Q & A on Jan 04, 2008

Here’s Part 1 in case you missed it. Part 2 doesn’t start off pretty, but hang in there. You’ll see that reason prevails after all…

* “On CNN today, I got to hear about your writing. I was intrigued, so I searched the net and viewed a couple of videos about you. You are quite eloquent and I like the way you always seem to be audible in your commentaries.[But] keep in mind:

You are a lesbian, abnormal, queer and evil. You suck, eat, finger, grope, lick, spit and drink pussy juice and yet you have a pussy yourself. Aren’t you ashamed? Then again, you are hiding under the confines of Canada where you purportedly think you are safe - Muhahahahaha.” - Bernard

* “Kinda glad ur a lesbian cuz I wont feel guilty in sayin I LOVE you. Liked your comments about Benazir. Well said again. May Allah be with you always.” - Zahir

* “May I dare ask u only one thing, What type of pleasure or orgasm u feel being as a Lesbian? Plz provide your answer in a single sentence. If u can’t reply then u r not able to write a Controversial book by ur own mind. Looking forward.” - Dr. Shahid Mehmood, KHI Pak

Irshad replies: The pleasure I feel comes from sharing messages like yours, which show that having the letters “Dr.” in front of your name doesn’t make you smart. But thanks for gratuitously raising the issue of my book. It provides a seamless segue into the next batch of messages that I received after my Bhutto commentary:

* “I will be very blunt with you in saying that truck load of your books can’t achieve empowerment of women and minorities in Pakistan that Benazir Bhutto was able to unleash.” - Iqbal, Washington

Irshad replies: Really? Try telling that to someone who actually lives Pakistan, as the next writer does…

* “You are doing a fantastic job and wish you all the success. We would like to continue your mission in Pakistan. Can you share your thoughts about opening a chapter in Pakistan for liberal Muslims, later to be transformed at grass roots?” - Riaz

Irshad replies: It’s a challenge, Riaz. In 2006, my book was translated into Urdu for liberal Muslims in your country. A Pakistani publisher even agreed to help distribute it.

Within a week of the book appearing in stores, a fatwa against it frightened all vendors into clearing their shelves. That’s why I had to get the Urdu translation posted on my website. Now you can download it, free of charge, here. To date, more than 90,000 Pakistanis have done so.

I believe the way to start a grassroots movement for Muslim reform is to circulate the Urdu translation of my book far and wide. You can share the files, send an email blast containing the link, or print the Urdu translation and distribute it anonymously. Remember: there is no cost except for that of your own time and energy. I have faith that you’ll see the opportunity and not just the challenge.

* “I hope I will be able to find your book in Pakistan. I will comment on it once I read it and will try to establish my own opinion, unlike others who criticize you without understanding your views.” - Hassaan, Islamabad

Irshad replies: Sounds fair to me, Hassaan. As I told Riaz above, you can download the Urdu translation of my book for free. I look forward to your feedback about how we Muslims can renew ijtihad, or critical thinking, within Islam.

Now for some final — and more direct — responses to my Bhutto commentary:

* “How could you say that Benazir Bhutto didn’t do enough for Muslim women? In your so-focused mentality of reform, you came to your not-enough conclusion. Agreed, she could have done so much more. Agreed.

However, as a free-thinker, I would never come to the conclusion that she hasn’t done enough for Muslim women. She may not have finished the entire forest but she damn sure planted a heck of a lot of trees in it.

In your very own words, reform is going to take a collective effort… What if Bhutto’s life has already or will eventually inspire the next Pakistani sister to rise up and eventually ‘do enough’? Does all that go without credit?

Just as you have successfully implored me to join in ijtihad, I implore you, my sister Irshad, to specifically re-assess your position on Bhutto’s legacy and generally embrace those who take baby-steps. It’s easy for us to live in the West and say whatever we want. It’s harder for those living in Pakistan or Sudan (where I’m from) and to have the same courage. We’re all human. Any and all progress is good progess.” - Nafie (male), 24, Boston

Irshad replies: Thank you, Nafie, for your direct, logical, and respectful challenge. You’ll be happy to know that I gave CNN International an interview in which I made all of these points.

At the outset, I emphasized that it’s reform-minded Pakistanis who’ve been writing to me about Bhutto’s failures; therefore, I’m acting as their voice and not merely my own. These reformists remind us that Benazir took inspiration from strong Pakistani women who came before her, so that progress begets progress.

At the end of our interview, the host asked me to speak only for myself and explain what Benazir meant to me as a Muslim woman. I said that, having become prime minister at 35, she showed what we can achieve at a young age. I added that she didn’t merely ride her father’s coat tails but tried to chart a path of her own by returning to Pakistan with a more intense commitment to reform. I wrapped up by affirming that I and others stand on her shoulders in seeking further change.

One can be critical, constructive and compassionate all at the same time. I hope you now see my genuine attempt to strike that balance.

* “It was very refreshing to read your balanced and hopeful piece. As a woman and global citizens, I was especially inspired by your point of view on Jinnah [founder of Pakistan]. You have certainly got me interested in learning more about his vision of Pakistan.” - Shabira, Vancouver

Irshad replies: His sister’s vision might be even more interesting, Shabira. Read the next letter…

* “Irshad, let me amplify your comments regarding Jinnah’s sister, Fatima. In the 1960s, she stood as the opposition candidate for the presidency against the dictator Ayub Khan.

Also, my father told me the apocryphal story that soon after independence, when the Pakistani constituent assembly was debating the abridgment of women’s rights, the wife of the first PM, Liaquat Ali Khan, led a delegation of women symbolically carrying brooms,to warn their husbands against such shenanigans.”

Irshad replies: Those witches! (That’s a joke about brooms. Oh, never mind.)

* “I read your comments about Benazir’s assassination and I believe that if she were to read them too, she would agree with you. As you know, and as Benazir knew, for a people to realize democracy, it requires debate and dissent, free speech, inclusion, involvement, participation, open-mindedness, critical thinking AND all sisters and brothers.

You are correct. Benazir was not a saint. Nor am I. Nor are you. However, Benazir understood as you do that ‘it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.’” - Anonymous

By the way, the Pakistani-British author and activist, Tariq Ali, wrote a newspaper commentary that blasted the feudal politics of Benazir Bhutto. Yet he received far tamer comments. What gives?

What Barack might have taught Benazir

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts, Q & A on Jan 04, 2008

An email I’ll never forget from a young Pakistani-American:

“Watching Barack Obama deliver his spellbinding victory speech in Iowa, I was reminded of your CNN.com article about Benazir Bhutto’s legacy. You argue that she caved to narrow-minded feudal politics. I think you’re right. I mean, the fact that she bequeathed a so-called ‘people’s party’ to her own son, behind the mask of democracy, only proves your point.

Barack Obama is the opposite. So far, he has beat the political establishment through real democracy. He has attracted not only disillusioned Democrats but also alienated Republicans and Independents. All of this happening in a country, my country, that is more fractious than ever.

On top of that, the good ol’ divided states of America is seriously flirting with dynastic feudalism of its own.  To be honest, this is what we will have if Hillary becomes President.

Barack is an emblem for the politics of pluralism, not tribalism. Irshad, I don’t think I would have appreciated this about him without your article on Benazir Bhutto. I know you are catching a lot of flak for it. Well, the flak stops here. Thank you for making me a more thoughtful citizen of America and the world.” - Zafar, 22

Irshad to all readers: Stay tuned for more of your responses to my Bhutto commentary. Warning: They won’t all be as noble or wholesome as Zafar’s message. Ain’t democracy fun?

Your responses to my Bhutto comments on CNN.com and CNN Int’l (Part 1)

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts, Q & A on Jan 01, 2008

On December 29, CNN.com published my commentary about the mixed legacy of Benazir Bhutto. That night, I appeared on CNN International to discuss my views in a special program that otherwise canonized Bhutto.

Many of you have branded me tasteless, disrespectful, opportunistic and just plain selfish for refusing to practice hero worship.

Some have called my commentary a personal attack on Bhutto. But questioning someone’s track record is not the same as challenging their humanity. Surely people who believe in Bhutto’s democratic ideals would appreciate the essence of democracy: dissent.

Dissent is fine, others wrote, but why so soon after her murder? Let me turn the question around. Would media be interested in airing a balanced assessment of Bhutto’s achievements after her death ceases to be news? Sorry, people. That’s not the way journalism works.

Better that something thoughtful be published and criticized than not submitted at all because its nuance or timing will offend. If you can’t handle offense, then you can’t handle meaningful democracy.

Besides, big media already censor us enough. As one reader said, “When I wrote a comment about why Bhutto is not the martyr the Western world thinks, my comment was never published by CNN.com. A whole bunch of them which were pro-Bhutto and anti-you went online, but not mine.”

Debate pays tribute to the principles for which Benazir Bhutto stood. CNN showed guts to broadcast my views; now it’s time to broadcast the robust — and conflicting — responses that they’ve generated. Here’s Part One:

* “You must be the lowest form of opportunistic, sycophantic trash to attack a strong, good-intentioned woman immediately after her assassination. Assuming that you are not simply a tool of the status quo, attacking Bhutto mere hours after one of your anti-disestablishment, counter-cultural goons unnecessarily took her life and the lives of a hundred more shows an unbridled lack of class. This height of opportunism is one matched only by Bush/Cheney spin doctors and henchmen.” - Arlen

* “I am very happy that you have come out with a very honest appraisal of what her legacy is, rather than getting drowned by emotions. Although she came to power with socialist intentions carrying the famous ‘Roti, Kapra, Makaan’ [’Food, Clothes, House’] slogan of her father, nothing much was visible on the ground. As you rightly mentioned, the feudal mindset somewhere got the better of her.” - Venkat

* “Although I disagree with you that Bhutto actually wanted to do something good for Pakistan and not just loot it like she did in both of her regimes, it still has to be the best article I’ve read about the situation from a person of Pakistani origin.” - Jahiz

* “It’s very easy for a pampered academic like yourself to criticize Ms. Bhutto for adhering to feudal politics, or being unwilling to defy anti-rape laws, but politics is a practical business and it’s definitely not for the meek… If you’re so interested in the reform of your faith, why not go and live full-time in some of these Islamic societies that you opine about on the web? Perhaps it’s because you know that the anti-democratic forces in those those countries would immediately target a secular, feminist, lesbian intellectual like yourself in a heartbeat.” - Robert

Irshad replies: I’ve been called many things, Robert, but “meek” isn’t one of them. In fact, I’ve applied six times for entry visas to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Each time, I’ve been declined.

During their self-imposed exile, Ms. Bhutto and her family lived in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE bans my website, never mind letting me physically cross its borders. How do you propose that I “live” in any one of these societies?

Then again, I don’t need to live in Pakistan, Saudi or Iran to be targeted. Death threats against me and other reformists come as readily from Muslims in the West as they do from the traditional Islamic world. We look forward to receiving your protection, Robert.

* “I know there are so many supporters of Bhutto out there would look at your article as an attack on her, and while I support(ed) Bhutto myself, I see it as a truthful remembrance. You did an honest and incredible job.” - Matt

* “It seems to me, an outside observer, that as the leader of a country with a sizeable minority of extremely radical Islamists, Bhutto’s existence as a candidate in the first place is a HUGE step toward modernization… Was she a saint? No. Was she a dirty politician? Maybe. Was she a brave woman? YES. To suggest otherwise is not only self-evidently absurd but offensive.” - Shaun

* “What is it with you feminists being utterly jealous of other strong women? There’s plenty of space on this earth for all you women. No need to choke your own species.” - Ali

Irshad replies: What is it with your sexist assumptions, Ali? When a woman critiques another woman’s record, is it always out of jealousy? Did envy drive historians who analyzed the administration of John F. Kennedy and concluded that he could have done much more for civil rights? And when Muslim women criticize me, shall I now tell them that “you’re just jealous”?

Women should never give each other a free pass merely because of our gender.  To do so is to indulge in the soft bigotry of low expectations.  I have higher expectations of humanity. That includes you, Ali. It also includes Alisa, our next writer, who shows that higher expectations can be fulfilled.

* “It is a pleasure to see someone with intellect captivating audiences globally. What a breath of fresh air to read something that one truly believes in regardless of whether others agree or disagree. Rejoice that you can convey your thoughts with style and grace!” - Alisa

* “Your diatribe against Benazir lacks rationality and shows your pathetically skewed lenses of reasoning.  How much time have you spent in a 3rd world country?  Instead of acknowledging the world of imperfection that exists in developing Muslim countries at a sensitive time like this, you have taken your myopia to cast down on a person who tried her best, in a society a million times more chauvinistic than your insulated, fluffy, cozy feminist Toronto existence.” - Omar

Irshad replies: In your own diatribe, Omar, not once do you explain how my reasoning is “pathetically skewed.”  Instead of citing examples, you take the lazy route and pounce on my “fluffy, cozy feminist Toronto existence.”

Would a cozy existence require me to have bullet-proof windows at home?  Or personal security at my public events?  And in reminding you of my realities, are you going to accuse me of playing victim or seeking more media attention?

Stick to the issues.  Tell me how my argument “lacks rationality.” Until then, you’re all emotion and no substance.

* “Your article is a reminder that the outpouring of emotion should not obscure an objective assessment of a leader’s record.  I’m reminded of the hagiographic treatment of John F. Kennedy until historians pointed to a mediocre record.” - Frank

* “You are just writing about Muslims to be Controversial and Make money. You aren’t Muslim. You are slut fucked by white dogs, so shut up.” - Adam, Djibouti

Irshad’s note to all readers: If you think Adam from Djibouti has a point, then you’ll love the next installment of this debate.  Stay tuned.  It only gets better from here…

My CNN.com commentary about Benazir Bhutto

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on Dec 29, 2007

Here it is.

Jesus meets the Muslim cabbie: Your answers to a dilemma

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on Dec 25, 2007

Last night, a friend and I attended Midnight Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village, New York. Heretical for a Muslim to partake? No more so than for the priest to have quoted Rumi, a Muslim, in his homily. Father John Barnabas Davis read aloud Rumi’s poem, The Guest House.

Just another reminder that there’s wisdom in transcending our puny and parochial tribes. In that spirit, congrats to the many of you who answered my question, “What would Jesus do about one Muslim’s cruelty?”

Some background: A few mornings back, a Sudanese Muslim cab driver went out of his way to show me hospitality. At the same time, however, he proclaimed the genocide in Darfur a Western lie, then endorsed the thrashing of a British teacher involved in the Mohammad teddy bear case, and finally announced that his close friend, a prosecutor in the teacher’s trial, has affirmed her ill intent.

How, I asked you, would Jesus respond to this cabbie? And how would you respond? A sample of your replies:

* “I really have no idea what Jesus would do. For myself, NO TIP to the driver and he can tell his alleged lawyer friend in the Sudan to sue me!” - Marshall

* “At times, it is prudent to do nothing. It was of no consequence whether you responded to him or not. Recognize these moments and enjoy creation.” - Hadi

Irshad to Hadi: Is passivity truly prudent in times of moral crisis? As the anthropologist Margaret Mead observed, change only ever comes about because a small number of seemingly powerless individuals choose action over complacency. Jihadists know this. When will the rest of us wake up to our own agency?

* “Maybe Jesus would speak of the children — how they talk, laugh and trust. Children like to be surrounded by things they know. What better way to see the world than by naming something according to what you love the most, The Prophet… What better way to trust those around you than to make the name of the The Prophet something that one can hug in the dark, like a toy bear? Jesus might ask the driver to to speak about the children.” – Father David O’Leary, Chaplain, Tufts University

Irshad to Father David: The cabbie and I did, indeed, speak of the children. He said they’re too young to know anything and that’s why Sudan should no longer allow foreign teachers into the country (except for science and math, where facts are demonstrable and Western brainwashing more difficult.) Sudan’s children need to be inculcated with “Islamic” values, he insisted. Only then will they be spiritually mature enough to withstand the propaganda of so-called educators from the outside.

* “You ask me what would I do? I would ask the cabbie to pull over. Then I would pay the accrued fare, identify myself, and tell him I am far too appalled by his brutal Dark Ages attitudes to ride another inch. Exit the vehicle, Irshad. Find another one.” - Steve

* “I think Jesus sees all of us as equally misguided. He calls the Pharisees ‘blind leaders of the blind.’ He sees the masses as sheep without a shepherd, and their leaders as wolves in sheep’s clothing. He sees the sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors as marginalized peoples in need of mercy.

Now, I see the cabbie as a marginalized person who is deceived. He artificially bolsters his argument about the latest ‘Islam is crazy’ media frenzy through his claim of special knowledge about the teddy bear trial. But that’s what people do when they’re outgunned in an argument.

Irshad, your whole work is devoted making known the business of the Islamic world, and seeking justice and mercy like Jesus did. I only hope you can see that many people who are part of the problem are victims of their system.” - Julie

Irshad to Julie: Being a victim of the system suggests you’re stripped of personal agency. If this driver can choose to extend his shift for me — despite working within a heavily regulated industry — surely he can choose to update his Muslim morality from the 7th century to the 21st.

In your attempt at sensitivity, you’re reducing the driver to a mere infant. That’s showing less respect for adults than having higher expectations of them. Higher expectations say: I’ve got faith in your capacity to do better. Isn’t this the essence of dignifying the other?

* “According to the Gospels, Jesus asked lots of good questions, always concerned to help people move from where they were to some place better… Ask the driver: Why does he believe the apparent suffering in Darfur is a fabrication? Why is he so offended by someone who names a teddy bear ‘Mohammad’? Why is flogging God’s first choice to deal with such people?

We don’t have Jesus’ knowledge, so we can ask more questions both for that reason and for another: that we ourselves can be improved in the conversation, receiving a gift in turn.

But we must also face up to this encounter without any Yuletide sentimentality. Not everyone wants to exchange gifts with us. Jesus himself eventually stopped talking to his enemies as they made clear their murderous disregard for what he had to say. At some point, repeatedly offering conversation becomes mere nagging. When it’s time to quit, pay the fare and get out of the cab. Pray for the cabbie as he drives away, and for that teacher, and for Sudan, and for all of us in this fractured, fractious world.” - Prof. John Stackhouse, Regent College, University of British Columbia

Irshad to Prof. Stackhouse: First, I love your blog. Second, I asked the driver all of the questions you’ve suggested and then some. He gave pat answers that can comfort only conspiracy theorists, since conspiracies, by definition, don’t lend themselves to evidence. Is there something more to be done before giving up, leaving the cab and praying hard?

* “Jesus might allow himself to miss his next appointment, buy the driver his morning coffee, and sit down over coffee to speak with him about his views. Did you try that?” - Aliya

Irshad to Aliya: I told the cabbie that I’d personally bring him a coffee if I see him in New York again. That statement was my attempt to keep the door of engagement open. But I’m still wondering what more I’d say to him.

* “What would I have done? I probably would have been speechless. But you used the cabbie’s comments to further your message on your blog. You leveraged a small and private exchange of ideas into a tool to influence many.” - Dave

Irshad to Dave: The only influence I seek is to embolden good people to speak up. Even if you can’t finish them, create conversations where none existed before. Conversations get people thinking. And thinking is the first step to informed action.

Of course, silence can be active. Meditation teaches us this. But in social justice, silence is a non-starter. Exactly because human rights are universal, opting out is copping out.

Merry Christmas, one and all.

What would Jesus do about one Muslim’s cruelty?

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on Dec 23, 2007

Last Friday night I appeared on CNN’s special program, “What Would Jesus Really Do?” Little did I realize that I’d have occasion to ask that same question today.

In New York City this morning, I hailed a cab driven by a Sudanese Muslim man. He was about to end his shift. As the rain began to pour, the cabbie opened his door to me — despite my destination being inconvenient for him. And although he wanted to stop for a coffee, he agreed not to because I was already late for my appointment. A lovely guy offering stellar customer service, I’d say.

But as the cabbie proudly declared to me early in the ride, he supported a full-fledged flogging of Gillian Gibbons, the British teacher who allowed her pupils to name a teddy bear “Mohammad.” Without identifying myself as a Muslim, I began to pose questions.

“Isn’t God merciful and compassionate?” I asked.

“Only for those who deserve it,” he replied.

“What makes her undeserving?”

“She insulted the Prophet.”

“How?”

“By naming an animal after him. You wouldn’t name a dog after him, right?”

“But this wasn’t a dog, sir. It was a toy.”

“No, no, it is still a beast.”

“Anyway, sir, her intentions were pure. I have many close Muslim friends and I know that Muslims put a lot of weight on intentions. She didn’t meant to offend. She simply counted the votes of her students. Most of them wanted to name the teddy bear ‘Mohammad.’”

“I have many friends too. My close friend is a lawyer who argued in the courtroom about this case. He knows the story better than you. He told me that she made the decision to call the teddy bear ‘Mohammad.’”

Now, reader, how would Christ treat this claim? Muslims should care because Jesus is a top-tier prophet in Islam. His teachings matter as much as those of Moses and Mohammad. What, then, would Jesus do?

Would he express doubt that a government-appointed prosecutor is phoning his cabbie pal in New York and divulging details of a highly sensitive trial?

Would he ask the cabbie further questions such as, “What do you expect a prosecutor to say? After all, his job is to stretch the story as far as possible precisely to prosecute.”

Would he accept the cabbie’s words at face value and continue arguing that even if Ms. Gibbons named the teddy bear “Mohammad,” it’s an inanimate object for God’s sake?

Would he tolerate the cabbie’s cruelty under the assumption that in a multicultural society, Jews (as Jesus was) have no right to “interfere” in “other people’s business”? Would he view the lashing of an educator as “other people’s business”?

Finally, would Jesus bother to engage at all given how the cabbie starts the conversation: by announcing that he’s from Sudan and then denying that there’s a genocide in Darfur? His words: “Western media are making up the pictures.” Oy.

Why dignify irrationality by responding to it?

But if you don’t respond, then you’re letting yet another conspiracy theorist believe that he’s got the scoop, everyone else is duped, and any argument to the contrary is more evidence of Islamophobia.

For the love of Mary, what would Jesus do?

For that matter, what would you do?

On CNN tonight

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on Dec 21, 2007

Friends and foes: I’ll appear on CNN this evening to talk about what Christmas could possibly mean to non-Christians. Joining me are a Hindu, a Jew and an atheist. (There’s a bad joke in this somewhere…)

We’ll be on at 8:30 pm Eastern Time. The one-hour special, hosted by Roland Martin, is called “What Would Jesus Really Do?”

For starters, I don’t think he’d celebrate his own birthday. Would Christ really be insecure enough to crave such validation, let alone commercialize it? Call me a Scrooge for asking, but without questions we’re blindly soaking up the status quo.

And that’s definitely not something Jesus would do.

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