Religious tolerance vital

A videotape, released by the U.S. government, showing Osama bin Laden and an Afghan Muslim sheikh discussing the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. is very provocative and its content is disturbing.

As a Christian, I was immediately affronted by the joviality of the Muslim fanatic leaders at the loss of lives as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the U.S.

It would be very easy to lose perspective and believe that the comments of those radical people on the video represent the views of all believers of Islam. That is not the case.

We, who have lived here in Indonesia for some years, know that our Muslim friends have no malice toward people of other faiths.

While there is today in Indonesia more than considerable violence based on religious beliefs now being perpetrated on various groups, I believe it is being done by illiterate, impoverished people who are easily led by fanatics with money and an agenda that is not to the benefit of Indonesia.

It would be wrong to view this videotape of Osama bin Laden and his demented lackeys and extrapolate the meaning of their comments to the beliefs of our friends in Indonesia.

I was extremely disturbed by the video and hope with all my heart that the demented souls expressing their joy and thanks to Allah for the death of innocent men, women and children from various faiths will one day stand before Him and answer for their sins.

However, the acts of a few extremists will not, and should not, be used to condemn our friends in Indonesia and the religion they practice.

I have been extremely distressed by the religious and ethnic violence that is widespread in certain parts of Indonesia and am chagrined that the government has not seen fit to protect innocent Indonesian citizens from that violence.

Muslims are quickly distressed when they perceive that Christians are trying to convert others to their religion. What they fail to remember is that before Indonesia was an Islamic country it was Hindu, animist, Buddhist and Christian. All those beliefs pre-date Islam in Indonesia.

Isn't it time for some religious tolerance?

RONALD P.

Jakarta