An Invitation for American Muslims

Rev. John C. Rankin

(December 15, 2015)

For American Muslims of good will toward Jews, Christians and all others, I honor you.

And under the U.S. Constitution, we all have the same religious, political and economic liberties. We are all equal in the sight of the one true Creator.

Yet too, there is a dynamic question at play: According to Ibn Ishaq, to what extent does Muhammad himself recognize such liberties?

Can we talk about it?

In the face of ISIS and other cognate threats to the United States, we note the extremes of those who exonerate Muslims without exception, on the one hand, and those who oppose Muslims without exception, on the other. Both dehumanize.

Thus, how do people of good will work together in spite of our deepest theological and political differences? By showing hospitality to the hardest questions on the table between us, and making sure all persons are listened to well.

I am biblically rooted. And I desire no more freedom to speak what I believe than the freedom I first honor for Muslims to speak what they believe.

I have posed an important question. Please pose me your most important questions, and they will be the starting point. Let’s talk.

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