Sikh Shooting

The Akron area Interfaith Council deplores the senseless, horrible attack on the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin. We mourn with those who lost loved ones and those wounded physically and emationally. In reality all of us are diminished by this as we realize that the seeds of hate are all around us. This was not a single act by a deranged supremacist. There is an ugly underground perpetrated by a paranoid fear of others who belong to a culture unlike our own. It begins with sharing words of ridicule, comments and cartoons on the internet that demean minorities. It continues to grow as it enlists those seeking to salve their own misfortunes and shortcomings by blaming and eventually hating "those people". We urge adherents of all faiths to work harder to put our beliefs of peace and brotherhood into action to promote love and understanding among all religions. Working together may our love drive out fear and conquer violence.