John is frustrated by the role of religion in promoting violence. Here's a quote:
"Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate. The world is near escalating to World War Three and where are the leaders of each religion?
"Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together? I said this after 9/11 and people thought I was nuts. Instead of more violence why isn't there a meeting of religious leaders?" he said.
He is particularly critical of the role of religion in promoting violence against homosexuals. While his frustration is understandable, his proposed solution is counterproductive and would inevitably lead to an escalation of violence.
Elton John needs to realize that 9-11 did prompt religious leaders to be more conscientious about promoting dialogue between people of different faiths. Here are some of the efforts that have begun in Oklahoma:
Within a week of 9-11 leaders from different faith traditions in Oklahoma had a day of "unity" and held a press conference in front of the survivor tree at the memorial for the victims of domestic terrorism in 1995 at the federal building in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, the leader of the largest faith group within the state -- the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (affiliated with the fundamentalist Southern Baptist Convention) -- refused to participate. My good friend and colleague, Dr. Rick McClatchy from the moderate Cooperative Baptist Fellowship was pressed into service hours before the event to represent Baptists at the press conference. (See article in the 9/18/01 Oklahoman on "Religious leaders ask for Unity")
9-11 prompted David Boren to start a Religious Studies Program at the University of Oklahoma. Since that very popular program began in 2002, Dr. Allen Hertzke, and Dr. Barbara Boyd and Dr. Tom Boyd have worked tirelessly to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding -- particularly with Muslims. A couple years ago, they took students to the World Parliament of Religions where some were featured in the Independent Film "Freaks Like Me" about the work of Rabbi Brad Hirshfield. Last spring they helped organize a Renaissance Week at OU and brought Dr. Charles Kimball, author of When Religion Becomes Evil, to speak on campus. A couple weeks ago they sponsored the Second Annual Fetulah Gulen Conference at OU and brought in scholars from around the world to discuss the teachings and influence of a Turkish Muslim leader who promotes peace and tolerance through interfaith dialogue and education.
9-11 also prompted the founding of the Institute for Interfaith Dialog led by Mohammed Cetin, a student of Fetulah Gulen, in Houston. Dr. Cetin and others have been sponsoring interfaith dinners, organizing trips to Turkey, and organizing conferences to promote dialogue and understanding between people of all faiths.
In addition to these developments, an Interfaith Day of Prayer and Reflection has been organized on the steps of the state capitol in Oklahoma for the past three years to celebrate religious diversity and promote tolerance and understanding.
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