Mark Pelavin
Jewish leader Marke Pelavin comes out against Pat Robertson’s anti-Muslim remarks. He should be commended for commenting on this issue and condemning Robertson. We wish Governor-elect of Virginia Bob McDonnell, who receives monetary support from Robertson, could be as principled.
Mark Pelavin calls on Pat Robertson to Honor the Spirit of Religious Tolerance
Pelavin: Rev. Robertson’s opposition to the President’s message is more than a simple “disagreement.” Religious tolerance and diversity are central to the character of our nation.
WASHINGTON, November 15, 2002 – In response to Reverend Pat Robertson’s rejection of President Bush’s call for greater religious tolerance, Mark Pelavin, Associate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and Director of the Commission on Interreligious Affairs of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
Rev. Robertson’s opposition to the President’s message is more than a simple “disagreement.” Religious tolerance and diversity are central to the character of our nation.
Immediately following the President’s recent denunciation of intolerant remarks about Islam, in a November 14th interview on The 700 Club (Christian Broadcasting Network), Rev. Pat Robertson once again voiced shrill, bigoted remarks, as he called on “Jewish friends in America …[to] read the Koran, and see what it says…and when you get through, do us a favor, and don’t criticize your friends, but see who your real enemies are.”
Rev. Robertson’s askew and narrow-minded interpretation of Islam is offensive, not only to the majority of peace-loving Muslims worldwide, but to all who cherish the fabric of cultural and religious diversity that defines our nation. In the current climate of xenophobia, responsible religious and political leaders must denounce such bigotry. There is a palpable need for the kind of interfaith dialogue that fosters tolerance and understanding across cultural differences, and, yes, which allows us to ardently challenge each other when we think a partner is wrong and has failed to squelch religious bigotry and intolerance.
In this spirit, we welcome President Bush’s recent remarks. Rev. Robertson’s opposition to the President’s message is more than a simple “disagreement.” Religious tolerance and diversity are central to the character of our nation. We call on Rev. Robertson – and all religious leaders who have engaged in similar hateful speech – to honor the words of President Bush with an immediate apology, for the sake of religious decency.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Thank you, Mark Pelavin, your gesture is appreciated.
Dear Mooneye
I think you have posted and linked the wrong condemnation by Mark Pelavin, if you check the article quoted above is dated Nov 2002, which is a news story on another incident
Here is one of the ones you probably meant to post.
Reform Jewish leader asks Rev. Pat Robertson to retract ‘outrageous and bigoted claim’ about Islam
http://www.examiner.com/x-9968-Baltimore-Muslim-Examiner~y2009m11d18-Reform-Jewish-Leader-asks-Rev-Pat-Robertson-to-retract-outrageous-and-bigoted-claim-about-Islam
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As for Bob Mcdonnel, it’s easy to see why he won’t condemn Pat Robertson, who by the way, is also said to have made anti-semitic comments in his long career of religious intolerance.
Governer McDonnell is one of those who wants to change the secular constitution of the USA to his version of a Christian one. Perhaps, Pat Robertson should be made aware that the US constitution (as it is) is contrary to what the Bible teaches. Preferably, Bob McDonnell should be the bearer of tidings to Pat Robertson
Bob McDonnell’s Christian vision for Virginia and America
http://www.examiner.com/x-23325-Tampa-Deism-Examiner~y2009m10d29-Bob-McDonnells-Christian-vision-for-Virginia-and-America
The Washington Post reports that when McDonnell was in the Virginia General Assembly he tried to push through 10 of his policy goals that are in his thesis. This is in line with the goal of the Christian Reconstructionists which is to subvert the American government and change it from a Constitutional government to a theocracy based on the Bible.
Many people who believe the Bible to be the word of God have never actually read it for themselves. If they did, they would know that there are many unAmerican and unnatural teachings in the Bible. For example, how do you feel about slavery? The Bible does not condemn nor outlaw slavery.
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Meanwhile a big thank you to Mark Pelavin.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Very good on Mark Pelavin, hopefully more people take notice of this and follow suit. Bob McDonnel is a politician, I don’t know if he believes in what Robertson says but that is all we are lead to believe from his actions.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 am
good to know that some people actually have spines.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Being a Jew myself I’m disgusted with Mark Pelavin.
93% of all MUSLIMS world wide,wouldn’t hesitate a fraction of a second,of killing a jew.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
As usual, Bobby makes up the statistics in his head…another tragic fail unfortunately…
November 25th, 2009 at 2:41 am
That’s because 76.43% of Jews have problem in making up statistics on the spot.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:41 am
Bobby
The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is the root cause of the animosity, fanned by extremists on both sides. The solution doesn’t lie in anti-Muslim rhetoric, this only serves to alienate those Muslims who may otherwise take steps to combat Judophobia. It doesn’t solve the root problem nor does it make you any safer if you perceive that to be the threat.