Mr. Speaker, sweeping statements about any world religion, particularly negative statements, are never very helpful, but in the post-September 11 context they are downright unacceptable and dangerous. Reverend Gerry Falwell's description of the Prophet Mohammed as a “terrorist” is in this category of statements.
Reverend Falwell would do well to heed biblical teachings that warn against self-righteousness and look for ways in which the best of all the world's faith traditions can be brought together in common cause against violence and injustice. Ill-informed attacks on the founder of the religion of one-fifth of the world's population are hardly the mark of a peacemaker.
Neither the Prophet Mohammed nor Jesus Christ should be held responsible for all that is said or done in their names.