by Deepak Chopra

When I set out to write a fictional biography of Muhammad, I knew I wasn't covering an ordinary life, even by the standards of great prophets and founders of world religions.  In the age of jihad, Muslim extremists have surrounded the Prophet with toxicity. Yet in the midst of our anxiety and anger - leading up to the outrageous extremist act, this time from a Christian, of Bur-a-Quran Day - someone must take a stand. On all sides we hear that moderate Muslims should stand up for their faith's values of peace and toleration. From the liberal wing of American politics we hear the same call to Americans, with reminders to our conscience that we are a nation founded on religious freedom.

Yet the real stand, as far as writing this book was concerned, is different. I wanted to take a stand against pure ignorance. Who really knows Muhammad? Muslims do, but the latest poll shows that over 60% of Americans know little or nothing. So I set out to give everyone a page turner about Muhammad that captures every facet of a life that has endless facets.  In the book there are over twenty narrators, both men and women, old and young, devout and secular, devotees and enemies. I didn't want to smooth over any of the parts that bother modern Westerners, such as polygamy and the fact that one of the Prophet's wives was a child of six. Nor did I want to satisfy religious Muslims that only their most cherished portrait of Muhammad would be presented.

The gulf between religions will always be there. But with Islam simmering suspicion or a feeling of superiority - the perennial attitudes that the West has taken to the Arab world - has boiled over into violence. Before you can speak well or ill of anyone, you need to know something about them. Hopefully, you will be willing to see life from their viewpoint.

Yes, I gulped a few times, and still do, when I hear the word fatwa.  But I wrote out of respect and an open mind. I think denial and a closed mind are worse than any imagined threat. I hope every reader of Muhammad will agree. We can all take a stand simply by learning the truth.

By Father Edward Beck

Last night I was sitting in the green room at CNN headquarters in New York waiting to go on Larry King Live to join the discussion with Imam Rauf about the proposed Islamic Cultural Center to be built two blocks from Ground Zero.  The more the man spoke, the more apparent it became that I and the other guests would not be needed after all.  The Imam had a lot to say.  And I was content to sit and listen.  

His frustration about the controversy surrounding the Cordoba House (Park 51) project is understandable.  As he noted, when he first announced the project in December there was no outcry, not a blip on anyone's radar.  Then, when some politicians decided to use the issue for their own selfish ends, all hell broke loose. 

Let's be clear: The controversy surrounding Cordoba House is laden with discrimination, xenophobia and irrationalism.  To say that the fundamentalist murderers who flew planes into the Word Trade Center represent Muslims is like saying Hitler's Christianity is representative of all Christianity.  Or it's like saying when a radical fundamentalist Christian kills an abortion doctor out of misguided religious fervor, that he or she represents all Christians.  Should Christians be denied the opportunity to build a church two blocks from an abortion clinic because of the actions of one of its errant followers?  

What's at stake here is religious freedom and tolerance, a bedrock of our United States democracy.   The motto on our national seal says: "E Pluribus Unum"- Out of Many, One.  We need to uphold and live by that motto.  We are a culturally and religiously diverse society that claims the rights of our citizens are protected.  We cannot waver in that protection because radicals on both sides are intent on having a shouting match based more in emotion than facts.

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(CNN) - A controversial plan by a small Florida church to burn Qurans on September 11, which has triggered worldwide controversy, is a "recruitment bonanza for al Qaeda," President Barack Obama said Thursday.

"You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan" as a result of the proposal by the Gainesville, Florida-based Dove World Outreach Center, Obama said on ABC's "Good Morning America." "This could increase the recruitment of individuals who'd be willing to blow themselves up in American cities, or European cities."

The Rev. Terry Jones, pastor of the Dove Center, has said he will proceed with the plan Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, despite increased pressure to abandon the proposal and warnings that going ahead could endanger U.S. troops and Americans worldwide.

On Wednesday, the Vatican joined a chorus of groups imploring the church not to burn Islam's holy book, saying it would be an "outrageous and grave gesture." The president of the United Nations General Assembly, Ali Abdussalam Treki, also expressed concern, saying it will "lead to uncontrollable reactions" and spark tension worldwide.

Earlier this week, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, warned that the plan "could cause significant problems" for American troops overseas.

(READ MORE)

POLL: Is burning Quran a hate crime or a free speech issue?

Exclusive:  Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf !

The man behind the plans to build an

Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero!

What he thinks of the controversy -

and why he’s breaking his silence now.

TAKE OUR POLL: Should the planned Islamic community center and mosque be built near Ground Zero?

And – we want to hear from you!

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE IMAM?

Friday night Prof. Stephen Hawking will be a guest on Larry King Live.  In his controversial new book, The Grand Design, Hawking contends a new unified theory (actually, it's a collection of theories), concludes God was not necessary to create the universe and there are, in fact, an untold number of universes.  Oh, he also tries to answer the ultimate questions of life, why we're here, and light topics like that.

So we want to hear from you: Do you think God created the universe?

Leave your comment, and we might read it during Friday's show.

Via NYTimes.com

By Feisal Abdul Rauf

Editor's note:  Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf speaks out tonight on Larry King Live about the controversy over plans to build an Islamic Community Center and mosque near Ground Zero.

AS my flight approached America last weekend, my mind circled back to the furor that has broken out over plans to build Cordoba House, a community center in Lower Manhattan. I have been away from home for two months, speaking abroad about cooperation among people from different religions. Every day, including the past two weeks spent representing my country on a State Department tour in the Middle East, I have been struck by how the controversy has riveted the attention of Americans, as well as nearly everyone I met in my travels.

We have all been awed by how inflamed and emotional the issue of the proposed community center has become. The level of attention reflects the degree to which people care about the very American values under debate: recognition of the rights of others, tolerance and freedom of worship.

Many people wondered why I did not speak out more, and sooner, about this project. I felt that it would not be right to comment from abroad. It would be better if I addressed these issues once I returned home to America, and after I could confer with leaders of other faiths who have been deliberating with us over this project. My life’s work has been focused on building bridges between religious groups and never has that been as important as it is now.

Read more…

The case of the “West Memphis 3” – three young men convicted of brutally murdering three little boys in 1993.

But now, 16 years later, celebrities are speaking out, saying they deserve a new trial.

Tonight, Larry speaks to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines about why they say there’s new evidence that needs to be examined.

Find out what happened, why some say there needs to be a new trial and why others say justice has already been served.

And we want to hear from you:

Do you think the “West Memphis 3” should get new trials?

Sound off below!

During last nights show on the "West Memphis 3," we shared statements from Diana Moore, mother of murder victim Michael Moore, and the Arkansas Attorney General, whose office will defend the conviction of Damien Echols before the Arkansas Supreme Court later this month.

Because of time constraints, we weren't able to read the entire statements, but since there are no time constraints on the blog, we wanted to post them here in their etirety.  Also below are statements we received from Eddie Vedder and Natalie Maines, two of our guests last night, in response to Diana Moore.

Statement from Diana Moore, mother of murder victim Michael Moore:

In 1993, all I wanted was justice for Michael, Christopher, and Stevie, and closure for myself, and my family. 17 years later, still no justice, or closure.

Since the convictions, the media has made it a point to make this case all about the convicted. I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that three innocent 8 year old children were brutally murdered, and these three men were convicted on the evidence presented to 24 , (in total), juror members that voted unanimously to convict.

Not one of the celebrities interviewed in this program has ever bothered to personally read the case file at West Memphis PD, or speak to anyone involved in prosecuting this case.

My little boy died that day. I'm his mother, and wish to say that the public remains ignorant about what happened in court primarily as a result of the Paradise Lost films, and the writing of Mara Leveritt. My voice is small compared to theirs, but I believe more relevant. They weren't there during the trials, and they didn't lose anybody. I lost almost everything, and not a day goes by that I don't mourn for Michael. The public should think about that before casting their lot in with Eddie Vedder and Natalie Maines.

Statement from musician Eddie Vedder, in response to Diana Moore:

I humbly ask that those personally connected to the case understand that there is no way I would ever speak out publicly without having read and studied every document and detail made available in the last twelve years. The murder of the three young boys is without question the saddest and most horrifying element of this brutal case.

As the father of two I cannot comprehend the overwhelming sense of grief and heartbreak the parents have suffered over the last seventeen years.

It hurts to think that while trying to correct the further injustice of three men wrongfully convicted, their pain is further compounded.

This case is so sadly one of tragedy upon tragedy. I send Ms. Moore my respect and understanding, and am so sorry for her unfathomable loss.

Ed Vedder

Statement from musician Natalie Maines, in response to Diana Moore:

My heart goes out to you, Ms. Moore. I can only imagine the heartache and pain you have endured over the past 16 years and I respect your need for peace and closure. I believe a new trial for Damien, Jason, and Jessie, is the first step towards the justice you deserve and desire for your son. Please know that, Michael, Christopher and Stevie are never forgotten. Their sweet and innocent faces are ingrained in our minds forever.

I wish you peace,
Natalie

Statement from Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel:

Our office knows that there are concerns about this case, but be assured that we take the utmost care in handling the appeals of death sentences handed down by Arkansas jurors. Though some celebrities have brought more attention to this case than to the dozens of other pending death-row appeals in this state, every one is an extremely serious matter.

We are committed to fairness and justice not just for the three inmates, but also for the three little boys who didn’t live to see middle school.