"...As Americans are in the midst of a heated election year, a group of interfaith leaders is concerned about religious views being incorporated into politics. At a panel discussion at St. Petersburg College in Seminole this month, each member expressed devout religious views, but none supported basing political decisions on theological beliefs...
... Hassan Shibly, director of the Tampa Council on American-Islamic Relations just celebrated the defeat of [a bill] in the Florida legislative session. That proposal would have outlawed the use of foreign laws in courtrooms. Shibly and other supporters saw it as an attack on religious freedoms. And he said initiatives like that are spreading throughout the country...
“I think it’s very unfortunate that in 2012 we still have political candidates that are making a campaign out of attacking minorities, particularly the Muslim community now. You have several candidates – Santorum, Gingrich – who are publicly making blanket statements condemning Islam and Muslims", says Hassan Shibly
...Shibly said he thinks anti-Muslim rhetoric stems from ignorance. His job, among others, is to reach out to people and show them that Islam is a religion of peace, not blood and bombs...
"I absolutely disagree with his policy on gay marriage and abortion, but I love his policy about not invading and attacking other countries. And I have to ask myself what’s more important. Should I be more concerned with what goes on in people’s bedrooms or should I be more concerned about the thousands of people that are dying by U.S.-made bombs.”, says Hassan Shibly
...He added, and others agreed, that there are conflicting opinions within every religion, not just between religions. Each religious leader promoted one concept: tolerance..." [Read More]
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