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American Morning

Holiday Season and Religion: All Faiths Want Peace

Aired December 24, 2001 - 09:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The holiday season is supposed to be more about faith than merchandise or anything else.

Here to consider how faith has changed since September 11th, are the Reverend Thomas Reece, he is the author of "Inside the Vatican" and an editor of a national Catholic magazine. Rabbi Gerald Wolpe, retired from the Har Zion Temple in Pennsylvania, now with the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Mateen Siddiqui is Vice President of the Islamic Supreme Council.

Welcome to all three of you. Good to have you with us and Happy Holidays, all of the holidays, to all three of you.

MATEEN SIDDIQUI, VICE PRESIDENT, ISLAMIC SUPREME COUNCIL: Thank you.

RABBI GERALD WOLPE, JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: Thank you and good morning.

O'BRIEN: Let me begin with Father Reece. Father, I'm just curious what you are hearing from Catholics. Are they confused about religion? Are they asking somewhat predictable questions? The "How could God let this happen," question?

REV. THOMAS REECE, AUTHOR, "INSIDE THE VATICAN": Well, I think that whenever there's a crisis like this or suffering in a person's life, they turn to God. They turn to the community for support. And I think that's very important, that we give them an opportunity to mourn their loss. But at the same time, help and support them, comfort them, so that they can continue on with their lives. It's a great challenge, I think for the community to give them the support they need at this time.

O'BRIEN: Rabbi Wolpe, I imagine when you get those sorts of questions, words really come way short of making people feel better, is that true?

WOLPE: Well, I think that's absolutely true. But it isn't only a question of words. Words are inadequate at such a time. It is also a question of action. And I think we've seen many people express their religious response by what they do within the community, the extraordinary response of people in helping those in need and mourning those who died in the terrible events in September 11th. That is as much an expression of religious response as words themselves.

Imam Siddiqui, I -- there must be some confusion in the Islamic world, given the fact that this act that we're all talking about and what has led us to this discussion, was done in the name of Islam. Do you find confusion among followers of the Muslim faith as a result of all this? And the fact that terrorists would employ a religion which teaches all about peace, to do something so evil?

SIDDIQUI: I would say, not so much confusion, as introspection. Muslims today are relooking at themselves, and pondering what caused this to occur in the name of religion. And they're saying, "we don't want this to continue in our religion, where the extremists are able to take over or able to push their agenda and use the name of religion to promote something which is so contrary to true faith."

O'BRIEN: Father Reece, I was talking a little while ago with a psychotherapist. We were talking about the issue of holiday depression. And she made the point that people, because this is such -- there's such a pall over this holiday season, that such tragedy, that people are really taking stock of themselves, their families, what's important and what really isn't so important. Are you seeing that?

REECE: Well, I think so. I mean, this Christmas, I think that people are called to return to the true meaning of Christmas. That God has come to live among us. He came as a child. You know, here's a family in Bethlehem that was homeless, that didn't have anywhere to live. Like many people in New York today.

I think this reminds us that God is compassionate, God is loving, God is concerned for us, and also that God calls us to be concerned for one another.

O'BRIEN: Rabbi Wolpe, I'm curious if this act of September 11th has broken down barriers or added to barriers between the religions?

WOLPE: Well, I think in America, there's no question that it's brought people closer together. This is really the first time that we have been tested as a nation by the invasion of our security and sense of security. And I think once again, we are required to reflect the basic principles. I think you see the liberty, independence place right behind me, and all of that was forged in this Philadelphia, in an attempt to translate religious terms into American life.

In many ways, I think this has brought us together in a very meaningful way, which I think will have a great impact on America in the future.

O'BRIEN: Imam Siddiqui how much do you think this is testing the faith of people you encounter the Muslim world?

SIDDIQUI: Well, any time there's a tragedy like this, it's a test of faith that God is sending, and it tends to bring out the good qualities and the good people. And it is a test that the Muslims are going through right now. First of all, to clean their own house, and second of all, to open their hearts and reach out to everyone of every faith and every nation.

O'BRIEN: Father Reece, do you have a few words of prayer you can share with us?

REECE: Well, I think that at this Christmas time, think we're all praying for peace, we're all praying that we might be able to come together and listen to one another, care for one another, love one another. I think that we're praying to God to -- the God of Abraham that all three of our religions turn to for peace, for consolation, for comfort for all those who have suffered. And for hope. Because I think Christmas is a time of hope. It is a time of birth. It's a time for all of us who are called to peace.

O'BRIEN: Rabbi Wolpe, we are running out of time, I'm just wondered -- if you would like to add to that?

WOLPE: Just one short prayer. (SPEAKING IN YIDDISH). May the Lord grant strength to his people and bless them and all of mankind with a just and a lasting peace.

O'BRIEN: Final word, Imam Siddiqui.

SIDDIQUI: O God, the most merciful of the merciful, send a balm to the hearts of those who have suffered injustice and pain in this life.

O'BRIEN: Excellent, thank you gentleman, all -- for a prayer which cuts across religious beliefs, and thank you for sharing with us. We wish you happy holidays, whatever holiday you celebrate on this Christmas Eve.

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