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Is America Islamophobic -- Attorney, Author, and Pastor Responds to Time Magazine Article
CAROL STREAM, Ill., Sept. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Time Magazine's August 30th cover story asks, "Is America Islamophobic?" Attorney, pastor, and best-selling author Randy Singer argues that it's "decidedly not," despite ongoing controversy surrounding the Park51 project in New York and an increase in mainstream media coverage of Muslim-related issues.
"Time is trying to paint the American public as Islamophobic when the majority of the public is drawing the line exactly where it should be," said Singer.
Singer, whose new book, "Fatal Convictions" (Tyndale House), focuses on the intersection of the Islamic faith and the Christian faith, says that Time's own polls show that while 61 percent of Americans oppose the Park51 project, 55 percent would support a mosque in their own neighborhood.
"The American public has it right," says Singer. "We embrace freedom of religion and that means we acknowledge that Muslims have the right to build a mosque just like Christians have the right to build churches."
As for Islamophobia, Singer points out that since 2002, there are nearly six times as many hate crimes against Jews every year than there are Muslims (2001, the year of 9/11, was an aberration). And, even Time admits that there are no signs that violence against Muslims is on the rise.
"If you look at editorials or surf the blogs, you find as much anti-evangelical sentiment as you do anti-Islamic sentiment. But I would hardly say that the US is in the midst of Evangelicalphobia," says Singer.
When it comes to the Park51 project, however, Singer, who sits on the board of legal advisors for Jay Sekulow's American Center for Law and Justice, does believe it's unwise to build a mosque close to the sacred ground of the former Twin Towers, and says it wouldn't even be on the table if New York City officials had followed the same process and standards they have for other similar historic landmark buildings. He points out the Greek Orthodox church that was destroyed on 9/11 is not getting the same type of preferential treatment.
"However, there are several other mosques being built around the country that aren't as controversial as the New York mosque," said Singer. "In these situations, Christians need to remember that truth flourishes in a free marketplace of ideas and faith groups. By defending the rights of the most unpopular faith groups, we ultimately are defending our own ability to freely worship, evangelize, and speak the truth."
Singer argues that we don't have to agree with someone to defend their right to practice their faith. And, he cautions against painting all Muslims with the same broad brush, pointing out that while there are radicals and terrorists who are out to destroy America and convert the world by force, there are also moderates and reformers who believe that Jihad is an internal spiritual battle.
"Do all Christians want to be lumped in with Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church when they protest military funerals?" says Singer.
Randy Singer is a veteran trial attorney, pastor of Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, VA, and best-selling author of numerous legal thrillers and nonfiction titles. His latest thriller, "Fatal Convictions," deals with the story of a Christian lawyer/pastor who defends a Muslim imam accused of Muslim honor killings, in the midst of "Islamophobia."
For an interview with Singer or a review copy of the book, please contact Debbie Lykins, Side Door Communications, at 847-458-1091 or deb@sidedoorcom.net.
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