Scott Tibbs
Printed in the USA Today, 09-21-01

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Divisive words hurt unity efforts

To the Editor:

The events of September 11, 2001, were tragic reminders that we live in a world where far too many people are consumed by hate. The war crime perpetrated by the terrorists who destroyed the World Trade Center must serve as a lasting reminder of how dangerous hate can be.

However, a tiny minority of extreme Leftists, motivated by their own hate, has taken to blaming these horrific events on "fundamentalism" in general. These people have gone so far as to compare the Christian Right to the Taliban, and to Osama bin Laden. It is sad that some people have become so consumed with rage over the differences they have with conservative Christians that they fail to see that these terrorist acts are not the results of fundamentalism, but of fanaticism. These types of comments are wrong, just as it was wrong for Jerry Falwell to say that this attack is the result of God's "judgement". Divisive rhetoric like this is 100% counterproductive and does nothing to unify us as a nation, at a time when that is sorely needed.

In America, people have the right to say whatever they want, no matter how offensive or wrong. But people should temper their words with responsibility.